Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor reveals stage 4 cancer diagnosis in band’s Rock and Roll HOF speech

Founding Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor is suffering from stage 4 prostate cancer, his bandmates revealed during their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction speech on Saturday night

Taylor, 61, was unable to attend the band’s induction ceremony on Saturday night but frontman Simon Le Bon read a letter Taylor had written, in which he revealed that he was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer four years ago.

“Many families have experienced the slow burn of this disease and of course, we are no different,” Taylor wrote in his letter. “So I speak from the perspective of a family man but with profound humility to the band, the greatest fans a group could have, and this exceptional accolade.”

The British rocker said he has been receiving excellent treatment, but had recently suffered a “setback.” He acknowledged that although his condition is “not immediately life-threatening, there is no cure.”

“Despite the exceptional efforts of my team, I had to be honest in that both physically and mentally, I would be pushing my boundaries,” the letter read. “However, none of this needs to or should detract from what this band (with or without me) has achieved and sustained for 44 years.”

The induction ceremony was intended to be a reunion for Duran Duran, which Taylor was a member of from 1980 to 1986 and again from 2001 to 2006. He played guitar on the band’s first three albums, which included the hit songs “Rio” and “Hungry Like the Wolf.”

“We’ve had a privileged life, we were a bit naughty but really nice, a bit shirty but very well dressed, a bit full of ourselves because we had a lot to give, but as I’ve said many times, when you feel that collective, instinctive, kindred spirit of creativity mixed with ambition, armed with an über cool bunch of fans, well what could possibly go wrong?” Taylor reflected in his letter.

He said he was “massively disappointed” that he could not be there with his bandmates — Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, and Le Bon — and said he had even bought a new guitar to play for the occasion. Taylor is not related to John or Roger.

“I’m so very proud of these four brothers; I’m amazed at their durability, and I’m overjoyed at accepting this award,” the letter read. “I often doubted the day would come. I’m sure as hell glad I’m around to see the day.”

Also inducted to the Hall of Fame on Saturday were Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Eminem, Eurythmics, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, and Carly Simon.