by John Taylor
First published 2012
John Taylor opens his story as a shy only child named Nigel who transforms himself when he picks up a bass guitar. He forms Duran Duran with friend Nick Rhodes in 1978, and the band explodes into global fame with hits like "Planet Earth" and albums from Rio to All You Need is Now. Taylor lives the rock star dream, hanging out with David Bowie and Andy Warhol, dating Vogue models, and driving fast cars. But success brings dangerous temptations. Taylor battles addiction and personal demons that push him toward self-destruction. He faces the choice between his destructive habits and his future. Through frank storytelling, Taylor reveals how he pulled back from the brink and rebuilt his life, learning hard lessons about fame, friendship, and survival in the music industry.
Genres: addiction, autobiography, contemporary, biography-memoir, music, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: rags-to-riches, redemption, self-discovery
Setting: Duran Duran
Period: 1978
387 pages · Hardcover · Dutton
Content warnings: addiction, drug-use, substance-abuse