Book review: Andy Taylor - My life in Duran Duran

[dawkeye1]

I have read the book cover to cover and can concur that it is an amazing read. I am a musician, and my wife suffered with full blown post natal depression to the point I had to bring up three lovely children myself. I laughed and cried reading Andy's book. Although I never made it as a 'rock star' my kids are growing up and we all are really close, and I wouldnt change a thing. I still love making music and in some ways I'm glad our band didn't make it. Andy's book is an inspiration for me.

[boobootoob]

Thanks for the review, it sounds great.

[CrassMufumbu]

After their first two albums..it seemed as if they were trying to muddle or hide Andy's guitar and then it was obvious when Astronaut came out. But with Warren and even Dom, the guitars came back to forefront. I blame Nick and the mix, although I do love Nick's synth work. Great review.

[garamonde]

@CrassMufumbu Thanks. I have changed my opinions about Andy since this review. Mostly because of how amazed I was at how All you need is now turned out. Also, if half the stuff I have heard about Andy's attitude is true... well, let's just say I'm not much of an Andy admirer anymore.

[drylaundry]

I'm still reading the book.....:) The thing is DD was probably the only band in the 80's where each member had a fan base ( on large amount ) That's why when Andy and Roger left, it was like a bad break for the fans, but they managed to carry on even  ( when John left ) but I think we knew that John would come back, but when we heard Roger and Andy came back it was like WOW ...THIS IS DURAN DURAN !!!!, then Andy left again.for me his visit back was too short :(( but I think Dom is really coool.

[garamonde]

@dwc311 Allegedly the management failed to get a bunch of basic stuff done for Andy, and that was the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak.

[garamonde]

@dwc311 Allegedly the management failed to get a bunch of basic stuff done for Andy, and that was the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak.

[garamonde]

@dwc311 Allegedly the management failed to get a bunch of basic stuff done for Andy, and that was the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak.

[garamonde]

@dwc311 Allegedly the management failed to get a bunch of basic stuff done for Andy, and that was the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak.

[dwc311]

What are the chances of Andy coming back???

[garamonde]

@dwc311 I think they're pretty slim. He was important for the reunion back in '03, but Duran Duran has now managed to re-capture their magical unique sound even without him. I'm sure part of Andy regrets leaving, but on the other hand if what was written in the bio is true, I don't think he would ever want to re-join.

[rjmdrum]

The book sited that Warren C's tenure in Duran Duran was unfortunately considered as the "watered down version" of the band and dismissed in pretty much one sentence. Unequal splitting of profits among the 5 members upon the Taylor's' return should never have transpired. But then again the return of the 5 together seemed the only way to guarantee any successful public media attention and fan recognition...thought was a slap in the face to Warren. A return to the Rio sound may keep them around

[garamonde]

@rjmdrum I don't think I'm qualified to reply to most of what you said, but I know one thing for sure: All you need is now kicks ass!!

[jasonfinancier]

Thanks so much for the review. I want to get this book. I love all the guys and the great music that they create.

PS I have a remix of Rio that I did in my videos section if you care to listen.

[diadexxus]

I read it myself. It was a damn well written book!

-J (Duranie of 23 years!)

[Pollyward69]

Who has added the speech bubbles, because Andy did not join Duran before 1978?

Not sure exactly when he joined but it was after Roger, and I believe Roger joined at the end of 78-even early 1979-no way Andy was in the band before 1978.

[NoirMage]

I love DD. I'll have to check out this book sometime. Thx.

[wisesatyr72]

Im gonna order one now..you should come out in the dark..lol

[johnnybeane]

im reading the book and love it.

huge fan of andy's.

love the music he's been making the past few years too.

[musicfunkydude]

I'm looking forward to this book and as such you should also read Aerosmith Walk this Way and the Slash autobiography, Amazing! lastly, having seen Floyd, U2, all the biggies, Duran Duran at Murrayfield Scotland early eigties were outstanding,realy hard hitting rock/pop band and Andy Taylor was a brilliant guitarist, cheers!

[ew1951]

Yeah. I've read about 250 Rock books about rockers from the early 50s thru the 90s.

This book is an instant classic and a great read. I read it over a period of 8 hours and enjoyed every minute of it.

My era was the late 60s and you might think I'd be biased towards that generation, I'm not. Andy's story of rock 'n' roll is as good as any out there (on Hank Williams, Elvis, Buddy Holly, Hendrix, Doors, Led Zepplin, Nirvana, RHCP

' Scar Tissue' )

It's hard to find Rock AUTO-Biogs this good

[codders80]

I'm a huge Andy Taylor fan, but this book left me cold. How can he write his autobiography and not mention his two solo albums? Not even one mention of "Thunder"? No mention of what it was like to become a singer in addition to being a guitarist. These are just some things that lifelong fans would like insight on.

[garamonde]

Yeah, that puzzled me too. I'm sure he had something to say. Perhaps the editor took it out for some reason? If he did I don't think I'll ever understand why.

[allinaalarm]

I love you Andy!

[JTSMINE]

I bought this book soon as it went on sale, Im a big duran fan and I loved it, even tho some things upset me (mainly the JT parts) I found it hard to put down, now I would like to read JT's story, lets hope he writes a book!

[garamonde]

If he does I hope he calls it "Hold Back the Sane"... or something.

[gowalkingathinline]

He could call the book, "God of all things Bass..lol"

[garamonde]

Or how about "The life of a Bass fisherman"?

[gretchendot]

i came back and watched again after reading the book myself. we MUST get DD in the rock and roll hall of fame, let's hope it is just a matter of time. it is so sad what andy went thru with his wife - scary stuff. i don' think by the tone of the book esp. @ the end that he got along with nick at all, those 2 boys could not be any less alike if they tried.

[garamonde]

I could not agree with you more. I mean hell if Run DMC can get into the hall of fame then Duran Duran should be a freaking shoe-in. As for Andy and Nick not getting along.. that's just sad. I mean you'd think after being together for almost 30 years you'd try your hardest to get along with each other despite any rough edges. Nick probably should have put more effort into that.

[YTDS69]

Fully right, great book, good humour and nice to read the story behind the "camera". I have always been a fan of AT within the band, espacially wenn I saw DD (compleet with RT and AT) in Hamburg Stadpark I was convincend. Andy keeps the band musically in balance.You can hear it on the latest album, it misses Andy. I surely hope that the unreleased album "Reportage" will be released in the near future and that AT will be united with his friends!

[DDizzylizzy]

I'm happy I read the book. It may not be a masterpiece of literature, but it's a very interesting, straightforward, personal story, sometimes very funny, sometimes dramatic. I learnt a lot about the music industry(sharky managers, anecdotes about the famous)and I learnt a lot about Durans 'internal affairs'. Andy talks openly about the tensions between the band members but he remains respectfull towards them and admits his own mistakes as well. Now I understand why he felt he had to leave.

[donutcookiepie]

great review and a great book..I love DD and love the book too...not sure he joined in 78 tho....but no biggie...close tho.

[Boydchenko]

Duran Duran are not whole without Andy. Surely

The situation between him and Nick can be

rectified sometime in the near future? I truly

hope so.....

Simon Le Bon

Nick Rhodes

Andy Taylor

John Taylor

Rodger Taylor

[honeyacid]

duran rocks! and i agree with u, Andy was the greatest duran guitarist ever!

[JUNEFEST]

I have the book and am reading it at the moment. I became a D fan because of Andy and have followed his career to present day. Still love him after all these years! Just wanted to thank you for taking the trouble to make a point of publicising the book. Andy rules!

[garamonde]

I'm happy to do it for Andy and of course one of my favorite bands ever. :)

[Atom21]

Thanks for the great review I am currently reading the book and I find it hard to put down. I like you am a huge Druan Duran fan I always have been always will be and I even got the pleasure of meeting them this year back stage before the show. It was a life time dream come true to have met them but one thing was off, Andy was not there. Still I did get to met Nick who I've always idolized and the rest of the guys. Thanks for your review. DD 4 LIFE.

[wildenfree]

Im reading the book at the moment,

I agree entirely with your review, which I think you express very well and eloquently. Only confused as to why you didnt light yourself up, ?.

[Puddintat]

I agree with mostly everything you had to say. Duran Duran is my all-time favorite band. I have to say that Andy was never my favorite, though. I guess I just misunderstood him because he didn't seem to be as glamorous as the rest of the boys. I am very glad I read this book. Even though I feel that some of the "magic" of DD is gone for me I'm such a fan that I don't care and want to know the insides and outs of the band. I left the book with a new respect for Andy.

[PURPLEDRAGON825]

I have read this book. I agree with most of what you have to say. I was also very impressed with the writing and the tone of the book. As for getting along...read the parts about Nick Rhondes again.

[garamonde]

Yes, I read about that. Well in every band I guess there's bound to be some friction. The more Band members you have, obviously the more tensions will develop. If I were them though I would have gone out on a limb to keep Andy from feeling like he had no choice but to leave again.

[doodah80s]

Yes indeed, I agree with you here, sometimes its even difficult to get along with work colleagues 100% of the time! and most of us don't have the added pressures of fame, the media and the constant lack of privacy that these guys had, also being away from home, family and friends when on tour. I know ultimately that these things come hand in hand with success but still must put a huge stain on relationships in the band. Andy remains diplomatic though and doesn't stoop to slagging off the others!

[gretchendot]

viva Duran!

[izzyworld]

nice comments - yet to get my copy- your review/over view helped me decide to get a copy

[garamonde]

Hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. Feel free also to let me know if you agree with what I said or not.