I first discovered Duran Duran when I was a young teenager, and quickly become obsessed. As I grew older, I drifted away from them, but always came back again. They may not be my favourites any more, but I still like listening to them, and as John Taylor was by far my favourite when I was growing up (I was convinced I’d marry him one day, and boy, did I hate Amanda de Cadenet when she beat me to it!), I was looking forward to reading his biography. I should point out that I actually listened to the audio version of this book, which is narrated by John himself.
Anyway…I have mixed feelings about it. I enjoyed the first part when he talks about growing up as an only child, and how he developed a love of music. He talks about forming bands with friends including Nick Bates (now known as Nick Rhodes), and eventually forming Duran Duran with the line-up for which they are most famous. They were very democratic, being one of the few bands who credited each and every member with writing each and every song. However, the story of living his dream soon becomes a nightmare, as Taylor details how he fell into the drug scene, and become dependent both on cocaine and alcohol.
Some of the inside info about the music business was interesting – the machinations of the publicity machines, the secrets behind recording a slot for Top of the Pops, for instance – but the whole book kind of feels more like an overview of Taylor’s life, rather than a detailed autobiography. I liked that he pretty much avoids dishing the dirt on anybody except himself – although after initially speaking pretty affectionately of fellow band member Andy Taylor, he seems rather dismissive of him at the end of the book. Some of the language though feels quite contrived – maybe it sounds more so when it’s being read aloud, and the book generally feels like it was rushed. (It was ghostwritten however, so I’m not sure exactly how much blame can be attributed to Taylor for that.)
Overall, Taylor comes across as a genuinely nice guy, and it was good to hear how he eventually conquered his demons, and has managed to stay clean and sober for two decades. I’d probably recommend the book as decent but not essential reading, strictly for fellow Duran Duran fans.
Between the Pages 