Duran Duran To Release New Music With Former Member Andy Taylor

Duran Duran are said to be working on a new album with former guitarist Andy Taylor. 

The band were said to be inspired to work on a new album after discovering Andy's original diagnosis of prostate cancer had metastasised and was declared stage four. Vocalist Simon Le Bon revealed Taylor's diagnosis when accepting the band's induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame last year.

Speaking to The Mirror, Bassist John Taylor said, “We’re working on an album right now that is going to be coming out at the end of the year, and [Andy Taylor] is playing guitar,” John Taylor explained.

“There’s a lot of cover songs on the album, songs meaningful to us when we were kids. So having him be a part of that project is great.”

Frontman Simon LeBon will initially travel to Andy's home studio in Ibiza to record. The rest of the album will be completed in Los Angeles and London.

Duran Duran confirmed the album news in an Instagram post on Monday, saying they are “thrilled to confirm a special project is in the works, set for release later this year on BMG.”

“The new recordings will feature extended Duran Duran family and friends, including our former bandmate Andy Taylor who will join us on guitar on a few tracks.”

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Taylor left the band in 2006 and has not performed with them since. He originally discovered his diagnosis five years ago, however, he waited until absolutely necessary before telling the public and their fans. Le Bon read a letter from Taylor as part of the group's acceptance speech at the Rock and Roll Hall OF Fame induction, which you can read:

"Now to the reason I'm not here:

"Just over 4-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 profound humility to the band, the greatest fans a group could have and this exceptional accolade.

"I have the Rodgers and Edwards of doctors and medical treatment that until very recently allowed me to just rock on. Although my current condition is not immediately life threatening there is no cure. Recently I was doing okay after some very sophisticated life extending treatment, that was until a week or so ago when I suffered a setback, and despite the exceptional efforts of my team, I had to be honest in that both physically and mentally, I would be pushing my boundaries." Read the rest of the letter here.