Duran Duran announces guitarist Andy Taylor has Stage 4 cancer
Singer-songwriter/band founder and lead singer Andy Taylor, who has been battling cancer for about three years, has been announced by Duran Duran as out of the band due to Stage 4 cancer that has spread to his liver and spine.
“Andy’s decision to leave the stage is incredibly difficult because of his infectious enthusiasm for the band, and his commitment to the music and its message of love, empowerment, and positivity,” said Kevin Saville, manager of the band. “We will continue to be the band Andy and I created, and we will continue to do our best to keep our fans happy and excited.”
Taylor has been fighting a rare form of liver cancer that was first diagnosed in 2011 and had spread throughout his body, but has since rebounded. More recently, the singer and guitarist developed acute spinal cord injury in 2014 and underwent four spinal surgeries, but he continues to heal and is slowly regaining mobility in his legs.
“I’m incredibly excited for the future and for the team at the Royal Marsden Hospital where I’m receiving the most extensive treatment possible,” he said in a statement. “I’m feeling that I’m going to be fine, and I’m going for it, so it’s a big relief to know that I’m not suffering.”
“Andy has been an absolute joy to have in the band, and our fans have always been incredibly important to us,” said bassist Mark Ronson.
“Andy has been nothing short of inspirational and a huge source of encouragement to us in every way,” said guitarist and producer Andrew Latimer, who, along with Saville, took to the stage beside Taylor last night to induct him and his band into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. “I can’t believe we’re up here looking at each other
