The famous British new wave group revealed that Taylor had been diagnosed four years ago while reading a letter to the audience at the Hall of Fame ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Taylor was due to reunite with his former bandmates – singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor – but was said to have suffered a setback that prevented him from traveling to Los Angeles from his house. Ibiza. The ceremony was to be the first time the five-piece from Birmingham had performed together in 17 years, having last reformed for a world tour and album Astronaut in 2004. The group were the first acts to be inducted during Saturday’s ceremony and took to the stage to perform their 1981 breakthrough hit Girls On Film. They continued with a set that included Hungry Like the Wolf and Ordinary World before dealing with Taylor’s absence by reading the letter. (LR) Roger Taylor, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran attend the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Taylor wrote: “Just 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. So I speak from the perspective of a family man, but with deep humility for the band, the biggest fans a group could have and this great honor. “I have the ‘Rodgers and Edwards’ of doctors and medical care that until very recently allowed me to go on. Although my current condition is not immediately life-threatening, there is no cure.’ Rodgers and Edwards refers to Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the pop producers and founders of Chic, who worked with Duran Duran throughout their career. “Recently I was doing well after a very complicated life extension treatment until a week or so ago when I suffered a setback and despite the excellent efforts of my team I have to be honest in this both physically and mentally I would be over my limits,” Taylor continued. “However, none of this need or should detract from what this band has achieved and sustained (with or without me) for 44 years.” Taylor added that he was “really sorry and very disappointed” that he was unable to attend the ceremony, noting that he had even bought a new guitar for the occasion, but that he was “very proud of these four brothers” and “thrilled” that they received this award. “I have often doubted that the day would come. I’m sure I’m very happy to be around to see the day,” he added. Also performing during the ceremony were Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, Eminem, Carly Simon, Eurythmics, Harry Belafonte, Judas Priest and Dolly Parton. Duran Duran formed in Birmingham in 1978 and were one of the biggest acts of the 1980s, with hits such as Rio, Wild Boys and the Bond theme A View to a Kill. The three Taylors are not related. The band have re-emerged recently, releasing their 15th studio album, Future Past, last year and embarking on a celebratory 40th anniversary tour, including headlining the British Summer Time festival in London’s Hyde Park this year. They also played at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace and headlined the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. A documentary film, A Hollywood High, about their recent rooftop concert in Los Angeles at The Aster Hotel was released this week. The project also includes interviews and archival footage that tells the story of the band’s special relationship with the US city.
