times online...

[lovinglebon]

An article about Duran Duran (Wild boys always shine, Culture, November 4, 2007), referring to Andy Taylor’s departure, said he had failed to turn up for a recording session in New York and had sent a “blunt message . . . that he was leaving the band, with immediate effect”. It was suggested that his departure was “still unexplained”. Andy Taylor’s departure from the band is the subject of continuing legal proceedings, but we wish to make clear that he was unable to get a US working visa to attend the New York recording session because of administrative failures by the band’s management. His departure was not unexplained and he did not leave the band — the Duran Duran partnership was dissolved by the other members. We apologise and are happy to correct the record.


(hmmmm so says andy's camp i'm sure. waiting to hear from dd's side)

[Nick's Silva Halo]

I wonder why it was never mentioned before, until now about his visa?

[Shindiggity Rhodes]

Gosh, who knows. I bet this turns into a big 'he said, they said' fiasco that goes on for a looooong time.

The only thing I truly hate about Andy's departure is the fact it made the Astronaut album and the 78-03/Astronaut tours look sort of gimmicky. As fans, some (if not most of us) don't see it that way. However, the casual fans and the people who don't care for DD probably think otherwise. As those things go, it threw part of their whole 'triumphant comeback' in the publicity toilet. Astronaut wasn't exactly phenomenal, but so far it's done much better than RCM. All in all, I wish they could have all stayed together longer because the only true Duran Duran is Simon, Nick, John, Roger and Andy. Oh well...

That's just my opinion though.