Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor battling Stage 4 prostate cancer

06.11.2022 - 16:55 / dailyrecord.co.uk

Duran Duran have revealed that former guitarist Andy Taylor has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The band announced the heartbreaking news as they were admitted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The 61-year-old was unable to attend the event, during which the band gave a special performance of their biggest hits including Girls on Film and Hungry Like the Wolf. The group were inducted into the Rock Hall as part of the Class of 2022, the Mirror reports.

In their first-ever nomination, Duran Duran received the most public votes at 934,880. They joined music icons Carly Simon, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie and Eminem in this year's class.

Taylor, who has been battling advanced prostate cancer for the last four years, was not able to join his bandmates. However, Simon LeBon read out a letter from him during the band's speech. "There’s nothing that comes close to such recognition. You can dream about what happened to us but to experience it, on one’s own terms, as mates, was beyond incredible,” he said.

"Many families have experienced the slow burn of this disease, and of course, we are no different, 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.

"I’m truly sorry and massively disappointed I couldn’t make it. Let there be no doubt I was stoked about the whole thing — even bought a new guitar with the essential whammy!

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

In a full statement released to the band's website,