Duran Duran’s Simon Le Bon says cancer-victim bandmate Andy Taylor ‘won’t be around very long’
DURAN DURAN singer Simon Le Bon has spoken of the band’s pain after it emerged their ex-guitarist Andy Taylor has cancer.
He took time out of the group being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame to speak about the diagnosis.
Simon said: “It is devastating news to find out a colleague — not a colleague, that’s the wrong thing — a mate, friend, one of our family, is not going to be around for very long.
“We love Andy dearly and I’m not going to stand here and cry. I think that would be inappropriate, but that’s what I feel like.”
Andy confirmed over the weekend that he has stage 4 prostate cancer. He had been due to attend the event at Microsoft Theater in LA on Saturday with Simon, John Taylor, Roger Taylor and Nick Rhodes but was too unwell.
In a letter read out on stage, Andy said: “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.”
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He added: “None of this needs to or should detract from what this band has achieved and sustained for 44 years. I’m so very proud of these four brothers.”
Formed in 1978, they have sold over 100million records with songs such as Rio, Save A Prayer and The Reflex.
THEY’RE HALL OVER OLIVIA
SHE may have been among the youngest celebs at the ceremony but Olivia Rodrigo was the one A-listers were flocking to meet.
The Good 4 U singer took to the stage before catching up with Ed Sheeran and Pink behind the scenes.
On Instagram, Pink, who dropped her comeback single Never Gonna Not Dance Again last week, revealed she fan-girled over Oliva before asking her to record a video message for her daughter.
Pink wrote: “Thank you bestie @OliviaRodrigo for making that video for my daughter. Willow is going to possibly throw up”.
Also at the bash was country music legend Dolly Parton.
The 9 To 5 singer added a touch of showbiz glamour by adorning her jacket with gold chains and jewels.
Celebrating her own induction to the Hall of Fame, Dolly gave a rendition of her 1973 hit Jolene with some of her showbiz pals including Judas Priest's Rob Halford, Sheryl Crow and Annie Lennox.
Gushing over the honour, Dolly said: “I’m a rock star now! This is a very special night for me. I’m sure a lot of you knew that back when they said they were gonna put me in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, I didn’t feel like I had done enough to deserve that. I didn’t understand at the time that it’s about more than that.
"But I’m just so honoured and so proud to be here tonight.”
Fellow honouree and rumoured Glastonbury 2023 headliner Eminem was also on hand, performing some of his hits alongside Ed.
SPARKLY PARIS IN POP RETURN
PARIS HILTON is plotting a return to music.
The heiress, who had a self-titled album in 2006, says her new single is just around the corner.
She showed off her trim frame in a slashed skirt and matching top before letting slip her plans at the LACMA Art+Film Gala in LA.
She said: “I’ve been writing a lot of music.”
HOTEL PUT TO THE TIESTO
DANCE legend Tiesto is back with a massive new single – 10:35 – alongside Tate McRae.
Going all out for the accompanying video, the superstar DJ took over Dubai’s latest ridiculously luxurious hotel, Atlantis The Royal.
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With sky-high pools and dripping in gold and marble, the futuristic complex is one of the most lavish in the UAE.
And also out of my budget.
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'In our prime'
BRIAN MAY says Queen will release six never-before-heard songs on the new boxset of 1989 album The Miracle.
The news comes after the band’s rediscovered song, Face It Alone, went to No1 in 21 countries last month.
At the Proud Gallery Embankment in central London, guitarist Brian said: “If you get The Miracle sessions there are at least six tracks you have not heard before. We won’t release them as singles as singles are not what they were.
“The boxset is like The Beatles' Get Back stuff and you hear us working, arguing and we are in our prime.
“On the boxset you hear us in the studio together and you hear Freddie Mercury singing.”