Duran Duran reunion with guitarist Andy Taylor thwarted by cancer diagnosis

Duran Duran’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame would be a celebratory evening that would also serve as a reunion for the British band formed in 1978.

And while the night of the 37th annual ceremony at the Microsoft Theater was still a proud time for original members Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Roger Taylor and Simon Le Bon, the reunion with former guitarist Andy Taylor didn’t come through.

During their inaugural address, frontman Le Bon informed the audience, in a letter on behalf of Andy Taylor, that he was unable to attend the event due to “a setback” in his treatment for stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer, according to Rolling stone.

Shocking announcement: Duran Duran vocalist Simon Le Bon revealed the band’s original guitarist, Andy Taylor, could not be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday due to ‘a setback’ in his treatments for stage 4 prostate cancer

Hollywood A-lister Robert Downey Jr., dressed in a lime green suit, had the honor of introducing Duran Duran to the hall of fame.

Once on stage to accept the honor, the tone sounded serious as the band’s lead singer revealed that his former bandmate wanted to make it to the event, but was ultimately unable to attend due to his cancer treatments.

Le Bon, dressed in a black suit, took charge and read a letter on behalf of Taylor, 61.

“Just over four years ago, I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer. Many families have experienced the slow burn of this disease and of course we are no different,” Taylor began in his message to fans.

“So I’m speaking from a family man’s perspective, but with deep humility to the band, the biggest fans a group could have, and this exceptional award.”

The Tynemouth, Northumberland, England resident went on to reveal that despite world-class treatment, he had suffered ‘a setback’, although his condition ‘is not immediately life-threatening, there is no cure’.

Duranie: Hollywood headman Robert Downey Jr. had the honor of introducing Duran Duran

On behalf of former band member: Le Bon, 64, dressed in a black patterned suit, took the lead and read a letter on behalf of Andy Taylor, 61, which began with the guitarist revealing he had been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer four years ago

Open and honest: “Despite the exceptional efforts of my team I had to be honest, both physically and mentally, I would push my limits,” Taylor, 61, wrote of his current condition in the letter

“Despite the exceptional efforts of my team, I had to be honest, both physically and mentally, I would push my limits,” the letter continued. ‘All this, however, does not or should not detract from what this band (with or without me) has achieved and sustained for 44 years.’

He then went on to share some of the fond memories he has of writing, recording and touring the world with the band.

“We’ve had a privileged life, we were a little naughty but very nice, a little shirty but very well dressed, a little full of ourselves because we had a lot to give, but as I’ve said many times, when you feel that collective , instinctive, like-minded spirit of creativity mixed with ambition, armed with an uber cool bunch of fans, well, what could go wrong?’

Taylor also wrote how he planned to take the stage with the band to receive the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honor.

“I am extremely disappointed that I couldn’t be there, let there be no doubt that I was excited about the whole thing. I even bought a new guitar with the necessary whammy’, he confessed.

‘I am so very proud of these four brothers. I am amazed at their durability and delighted to receive this award.’

Finally, he shared how he “often doubted the day would come.” I am certainly very happy to be there to see the day.’

Rock the house: The Hungry Like The Wolf stars also performed at the 37th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles

Massive: Duran Duran was arguably the biggest band in the world in the 1980s; John Taylor, Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor can be seen in 1983

Speaking to reporters backstage at the ceremony, Le Bon called the news of their friend and former bandmate “absolutely devastating,” according to AFP.

“We love Andy very much. I’m not going to stand here crying, I think that would be inappropriate, but that’s how it feels,” he added.

Andy Taylor had been with the band since its inception in the late 1970s, left in the mid 1980s amid the height of the band’s huge popularity, returned in 2001, to leave the band with him in 2006. breaking up, citing an “unworkable chasm.” between him and the rest of the boys.

The guitarist who replaced Taylor in 1986, Warren Cuccurullo, was supposed to attend the introduction, but ultimately did not attend the event.

From the outset, Duran Duran was a hitmaker, scoring 21 top 40 singles on the US Billboard Hot 100, including Hungry Like The Wolf, Girls On Film, Rio, Save A Prayer, A View To A Kill, The Reflex, Ordinary World , Planet. Earth, Is there anything I should know?, Notorious and New Moon On Monday, among many others.

Duran Duran has sold over 100 million records, making them one of the world’s best-selling music artists.

Thanks: Upon learning that Duran Duran was nominated into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, Andy Taylor shared his gratitude for the honor on Instagram on Feb. 6.

Heartbreaking: Speaking to journalists backstage at the ceremony, Le Bon called the news of their friend and former bandmate “absolutely devastating,” according to AFP; the four original members are Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Simon Le Bon and Roger Taylor