One of my New Year resolutions is to read more. I started 2022, by completing two books that have been on my bookshelf. Wild Boy: My Life In Duran Duran (2008), is an out-of-print book written by former band member (guitarist) Andy Taylor. In The Pleasure Groove: Love, Death & Duran Duran (2012), is by band member (bassist) John Taylor.
You may be asking yourself, why is she reading such old books? I’ll give you two reasons. One, I was and still am a Duranie (Duran Duran fan). How serious a fan was I? As a preteen, I remember telling my mom I was going to marry John Taylor. The look on her face was priceless. Too young to attend one of their concerts at the time (I could only watch their concert on HBO), I was able to see them when they came to New Orleans in 2016. Two, I love biographies. A person’s life, from beginning to end, explains a lot about them. So after reading both books, are my feelings the same?
Let me start with Andy Taylor’s book, Wild Boy: My Life In Duran Duran. I really enjoyed reading Andy’s story. His account of events from both his personal and professional life was very frank, raw, vivid, down-to-earth and heartfelt. He had very challenging beginnings. His mother was unfaithful to his father. She left the family. Money was an issue during his childhood. Like many musicians, it was music (in particular him learning to play the guitar), that brought contentment to Andy’s life.
What I admire about Andy, is he never let those challenges deter or keep him down. He kept moving forward. His life’s path eventually led him to meeting band members Nick Rhodes and John Taylor. His thoughts regarding the New Romantic look & sound, wearing makeup, other band members, his use of cocaine and drinking were all very enlightening and interesting. If you read his book, I think you will appreciate his frankness and honesty.
Duran Duran was known for their music videos. I always looked forward to seeing these videos when they premiered. Their videos were filmed in the most exotic locations and band members wore the most modern hairstyles & fashionable clothes. Behind the glitz and glamour displayed in these videos, Andy revealed how members got sick, nearly trampled on by animals, nearly drowned, and disagreements that happened between band-mates & management.
The group never shied away from displaying sexuality. The Hungry Like The Wolf music video was the first time I saw a white man kiss a black woman (a romantic interracial interaction). In his book, Andy states the song/video actually parallels the story of Little Red Riding Hood (a man (wolf) going after a woman). Their music video for Girls On Film was banned in the UK. In contrast to what is shown today, it’s very tame. I personally love the night version of the song.
I didn’t realize the amount of black influence, that helped Duran Duran. The band enlisted the help of Nile Rodgers to remix their popular single The Reflex. Can you believe Capital Records thought the remix was too black? The band fought against their decision to scrap it. The remix version was used in their music video. I’m currently reading Nile Rodgers biography. Amazing singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer and arranger. He’s worked with many popular music artists such as David Bowie, INXS, Madonna, Mick Jagger, Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, Daft Punk etc.
I admired Andy’s personal thoughts on meeting Princess Diana, his wife’s pregnancy, his depression diagnosis and leaving the band. When I was young, my eyes were attracted to the pretty boys of the group. My “vision” was narrow. Andy wasn’t my favorite. My “vision” as an adult has expanded greatly. I have a new admiration and respect for him after reading his book. He told his story with such detail and vividness. I really respect him.
John Taylor could do no wrong when I was young. He was my favorite member of Duran Duran. So I was extremely excited to read his book, In The Pleasure Groove: Love, Death & Duran Duran. John was an only child. He grew up in a two-parent family home. He went to Catholic school. He wore glasses and had a tall, lanky, geeky-look. I can relate because I am an only child, I was tall & lanky, went to Catholic school and also wore glasses. John and Nick Rhodes (keyboardist) were very good friends and actually formed Duran Duran.
Well, John Taylor blossomed into extreme handsomeness and was one of the most sexiest members of the group. With this hotness, came women. I think where I became turned off while reading John’s book, was his thoughts regarding those women. Comments such as “girl pulling powers I was enjoying”, “I came to appreciate the rather strange phenomenon of meeting a girl in the hotel lobby upon check-in and being in bed with her less than an hour later”, “what services those girls performed!” , “None of us were monks, but not all the other guys were as comfortable sharing their beds as often and with as varied a cast of actresses as I was …”.
I understand, he is telling his story. He’s speaking his truth. I just found the callousness of his words and thoughts so egotistical. I felt he didn’t have to elaborate as much as he did about those recollections. Yes … ok … you’ve been with many women, but do you have to go into so much detail!?!
John Taylor had a lot of addictions, such as alcoholism, womanizing, egotism, depression, anger (tearing up hotel rooms) and even more drug use than Andy Taylor. That’s a lot! He did seek treatment and also therapy. He mentioned that to this day, it’s an ongoing battle. One addiction is hard enough, so I can’t imagine when one has to deal with multiple issues. It was nice to read, that he does have a renewed spiritual connection with God. I would’ve loved for him to have elaborated more on his recovery process with these issues. This book would’ve been an excellent platform to help others with the same issues.
I love John’s expression of love for his mother & father, daughter and current wife (owns Juicy Couture). He also has an admiration for black music artists (just as Andy Taylor) like Nile Rodgers, Tony Thompson and Bernard Edwards. He loves Duran Duran and continues to play with them today. Although expressed differently (not as easily forthcoming), his book sheds light on who he is. If I had known all of these things back then, I probably wouldn’t have been as big a fan. I’m just glad he got the help he needed and on a healthier track today.