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John Taylor, Duran Duran’s co-founder, takes the reader on a wild ride through his life. From the eighties through today, from Rio to All You Need is Now, John writes about the music, the parties, and the MTV videos that made millions swoon.
With Duran Duran, John Taylor has created some of the greatest music of our time. From the disco dazzle of debut single ‘Planet Earth’ right up to their latest number one album, All You Need is Now, Duran Duran has always had the power to sweep the world onto its feet.
It’s been a ride – and for John in particular, the ride has been wild, thrilling... and dangerous. Now, for the first time, he tells his incredible story. A tale of dreams fulfilled, lessons learned and demons conquered.
A shy only child, Nigel John Taylor wasn’t an obvious candidate for pop stardom and frenzied girl panic. But when he ditched his first name and picked up a bass guitar, everything changed. John Formed Duran Duran with his friend Nick Rhodes in the summer of 1978, and they were soon joined by Roger Taylor, then Andy Taylor and finally Simon Le Bon. Together they were an immediate, massive global success story, their pictures on millions of walls, every single a worldwide hit.
In his frank, compelling autobiography, John recounts the highs –hanging out with icons like Bowie, Warhol and even James Bond; dating Vogue models and driving fast cars – all the while playing hard with the band he loved. But there were tough battles ahead – troubles that brought him to the brink of self-destruction – before turning his life around.
Told with humor, honesty and hard-won wisdom, and packed with exclusive pictures, In the Pleasure Groove is a fascinating, irresistible portrait of a man who danced into the fire... and came through the other side.
Bassist John Taylor wasn't just a Duran Duran cofounder; he's also been with the band for all but four of its 34 years. Make no mistake though: His In the Pleasure Groove isn't just a music memoir or reprise; it's also a disarmingly unsparing account of one man's self-rescue from self-destruction.
JOHN TAYLOR is the bassist and cofounder with Nick Rhodes of the British rock band Duran Duran, with a career spanning three decades. In 1999 John married Gela Nash, cofounder of Juicy Couture.
Anonymous
Posted October 19, 2012
Like most girls in the 80's, John Taylor was my favorite member of Duran Duran so when this was due to be released, I added it to my wish list and waited.
After reading Wild Boys by Andy Taylor, I was sure John Taylor was not going to 'trash' anyone; If anyone would have done this it would have been Andy Taylor and he did not.
As a former catholic and self-declared survivor of catholic school too, he made statements that were so true, so to the point... I just couldn't believe that someone could explain points I have been unable to explain to others for years. Great job, John!
His relationship with his mother was so touching; his relationship (and understanding) of his father was heartbreaking, expecially in the end. After reading this book, I am sure John entered adulthood, "kicking and screaming."
This book almost reads like a cleansing of the soul, so to speak. It explains so much of what was going on within the band and their reaction to the 'fame monster' in the eighties. Love the band - Love the book.
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 26, 2012
John Taylor appropriately chose to write this book, his life story, in somewhat of a journal style, but with an interesting balance of self analysis and openness. For Duranies, you'll love reliving the 80s, the photos, and the important band events as John tells them. For fans of pop music and musicianship, you will be enthralled by John's story of being dedicated to the craft and playing with some of the industry's very best. But have no doubt, John lived a life of drinking and drugging for many years, which I found to be the real reason for this writing: catharsis. He may not have shared every detail, but he gives a full picture of the depth of his addiction and the consequences.
The writing style was smooth, witty (as has always been John's way,) and personal. Many times it felt like he was just telling me his story, not publishing it to the world.
If you've got any interest in musicians, 80s music history, or addiction recovery, this book will not disappoint!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 28, 2012
If you were (and still are) a Duran Duran fan, you need to read this book! John Taylor (my all-time favorite) does not hold back on his experience as a 21 year old coping with sudden fame and fortune as a member of the biggest band of the 80's. He starts off with his childhood and goes through the present day. A great read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.John Taylor covers a large span of music evolution in this autobiography of his life and that of Duran Duran, the rock group in which he still performs. It is that diverse, evolving story that speaks volumes for the success he has achieved. Yes, the audience may change, but the "real" audience has evolved with his talent and musical styles over the years.
Taylor knows how to grab an audience. Right from the beginning, the reader is charged from the opening account of a concert performance in which the song "Tel Aviv" was played and Taylor confesses to being scared out of his mind at the almost animal atmosphere of the screaming, violent crowd. How does one play and what is it about the music that creates such a wild response to the group's music?
We are then led back even further to the very start of his life, through his education, interest in music at first without any thought about actually becoming a rock star, and more. The terrific part of this next section is that he chronicles how the music evolved from simple chord music on acoustic guitar through the time of the Beatles through to rock music...to punk rock...., etc. For those who are older, it will bring back some great memories; for those who are younger, it might make them curious to check out the "older" music.
Then comes the beginning Duran, Duran, playing as introductory music for other more famous singers and bands....then comes evolving success. Plenty of unknown and fascinating details follow about different and better instruments that were used, as well as how the other band members adapted, left, and joined, leading up to the present band members. There's a very riveting section on how drugs and booze almost blew the whole success chance out the window and a very painful part of how it broke him down. Fortunately, it didn't end there...
Absolutely great biography about a singer, composer, producer and band leader who clearly is "passionate" beyond belief about his art. Read it and enjoy the music you will hear and the interesting guy you will come to know so much better as you read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 6, 2013
An amazing ride with JT. His struggles are documented so well in this book. His challenges to road of redemption and sobriety.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Liltwisted
Posted February 5, 2013
Duran Duran was my first love for music, their music helped me cope with the difficult life I endured. John Taylor's posters adorned every inch of my bedroom wall. I was 9 when I first heard their music and saw them on tv, I am now 40 and I love them even more. To read this book brought back so many memories of good times when all my troubles were erased thanks to a wonderful band and the most incredible bass god ever!!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.you don't have to be a Duranie to enjoy this book. It gives great insight into the rock culture, thru his experiences. john is very forthcomming about his addiction and the affect/effect it had on not only himself, but the band and his friendships. its an honest look into the culture of the 70's/80's pop/rock movement. i cant wait to get the audio version, to hear his story in his voice. a great companion to andy's book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Duran Duran was one of the biggest bands of the 1980's and bassist John Taylor gives readers and fans a peek at his musical influences, life in Duran Duran, and finding his own way. Expressive and poignant, John's story gets to the "heart" behind the man who continues to live a story we can all relate to.
John opens the novel with life in Birmingham, England with his parents. Growing up, he was just a boy in the neighborhood, but when teenage John meets Nick Rhodes, the backbone of Duran Duran is formed. John and Nick pursue their dreams and soon the "boys next door" are founding members of one of the 1980's biggest rock groups.
As John deals with fame, he comes to rely on fame's usual crutches, drugs and alcohol. His insights into the making of the first three Duran albums are a delightful treat for any fan.
At the height of Duranmania in the 1980's the boy next door seems unrecognizable, surrendering to the music and drugs. John's story also offers hope that one can look adversity in the eye and overcome. He shares his choices, good and bad, and he shows us the humanity behind the man and his music.
The book is easy to read and easy to relate to. Taylor talks about the height of Duranmania and the effects that fame had on him and his relationships. What I liked the most was his ability to relate a very human story behind the fame.
"In The Pleasure Groove" gives you John Taylor, his way, his perspective. His story is highly entertaining, connecting on that "raw gut" level, just like Duran Duran's music.
fan2d2
Posted November 27, 2012
Wonderful read. Pictures are great. It as much a look at the band's rise to stardom as it is an ode to those that helped John and the band achieve their success. Beautifully honest without being overly revealing. A must read for any Duran Duran fan and anyone who loved the 80's.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Rioduranie69
Posted November 19, 2012
John (Party Boy) Taylor from my all time favorite band, tells a wonderful and descriptive account of his life in the band and the starting of DD. The photos in the book are quite shocking and shed light on a side of JT he kept well hidden. This is a definite must read for all Duranies or just anyone who even likes the band a little.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 19, 2012
A must read for any Duran Duran fan. Chapters are short and easy to read - you tell yourself "one more chapter" and then relize you've read four!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Bhun
Posted November 19, 2012
AS A HUGE DURAN DURAN FAN I COULD NOT WAIT TO GET THIS. JOHN IS REAL AND YOU ACTUALLY LEARN ALOT ABOUT HIM AND THE BAND. I MISS THE EIGHTIES!!
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Posted November 8, 2012
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Overview
John Taylor, Duran Duran’s co-founder, takes the reader on a wild ride through his life. From the eighties through today, from Rio to All You Need is Now, John writes about the music, the parties, and the MTV videos that made millions swoon.
With Duran Duran, John Taylor has created some of the greatest music of our time. From the disco dazzle of debut single ‘Planet Earth’ right up to their latest number one album, All You Need is Now, Duran ...