Why did Andy Taylor leave Duran Duran?

Question

I mean as of the last few weeks. Not from the years of the 80's.

Answer 1

No one knows for sure, obviously. However, as recently as May and June, the band were talking about having an album of fifteen songs "virtually complete" after having worked with producer Michael Patterson since the beginning of the year. Roger Taylor said in April, "The record will be in some ways a homage to our roots as a band, more direct and a return to our dance and 'new wave' origins." (http://www.duranduran.com/postcards/rogerstudio.html ).

However, in September the band (minus Andy) met up in New York with the hip-hop/R&B producer Timbaland (known for his work with Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Ludacris, and Nelly Furtado, among others). They spent a couple of days in his studio and recorded three songs, including a duet between Simon Le Bon and Justin Timberlake (a long-time fan of the band). Apparently the band intends to return to work with Timbaland some more after the current American tour dates. (http://www.durandurantimeline.com/years/2006.html )

That's what's known. The speculation is that the "finished" album has been scrapped in favor of working with Timbaland -- fans are already calling this "the lost album". Whether this was decided by the band, the management, or the record company is unknown, as is whether the music will shift away from the dance/new wave style towards hip-hop/R&B (it certainly wouldn't be the first time Duran has flirted with that.) Anyway, fans guess that Andy objected vehemently to a change in direction, and may have been 'asked to leave' when the arguments became too disruptive. There's some very vague rumours that Andy's differences are more with the "suits" (management/label people) than with the band members, but I have no idea how true that might be.

Anyway, there's very little concrete to go on; if you're interested, there's a podcast interview with John Taylor (http://www.ipodgarage.com/article.php?id=2073 ) which was recorded before the announcement about Andy leaving was made; John discusses the change in musical direction starting at about the ten-minute mark.

Answer 2

He was too old, most people considered him an ugly old has-been. Andy Taylor probably knew that in the POP world, he was not going to to be judged for his talent, as much as, say, Keith Richards. Pop fans seem to place more value on appearence than fans of rock, metal, hip-hop, etc. Andy Taylor in his time back with Duran Duran probably didn't get much "love" from the audiance. This had to drain him.
Personally, I felt anger toward Taylor for leaving Duran Duran essentially after Seven and the Ragged Tiger. His absence devestated the band in its prime. Had he stayed with the band, Duran Duran may have gone on to accomplish so much more. His leaving at that time seemed arrogent. His coming back later seemed desparate. True or not, I think a lot of fans saw Taylor in the same light.

Answer 3

He grew dissatisfied with Duran Duran's keyboard-heavy synth pop, however, and longed to stretch out his rock muscles

After The Power Station, Taylor allowed Duran Duran to believe he would be returning to record a new album, even as he was signing contracts for a solo career in Los Angeles. Another Capitol Records group, Missing Persons was disbanding at the same time, and Andy hired Terry Bozzio and Patrick O'Hearn to work with him.

This caused ex-Missing Persons guitarist Warren Cuccurullo to approach Duran Duran to fill Andy's position -- a vacancy no one in Duran Duran knew existed. Eventually Duran sued to force him in to the studio to complete the album Notorious, but he ended up playing on only a few tracks before departing the band completely. He later countersued to claim some of the royalties from that album.

Answer 4

He and Barney had to go look for a still after Floyd told Aunt Bee that Rafe Hollister was in town.