Back view of a tall bassist with styled brown hair in a black blazer holding an electric bass guitar on a concert stage.

Musician, songwriter, and author

John Taylor

Best known for Bassist and co-founder of the new wave band Duran Duran

Born
1960
From
British
Working since
1978
Also known as
Nigel John Taylor

Nigel John Taylor was born in Solihull, England. In 1978, he co-founded the new wave band Duran Duran alongside keyboardist Nick Rhodes in Birmingham. Propelled by the emergence of MTV and a string of global hits including "Rio," "Hungry Like the Wolf," and "A View to a Kill," the group became one of the defining pop and rock acts of the 1980s, driven prominently by Taylor's funk-influenced basslines.

During breaks from Duran Duran, Taylor formed the supergroups The Power Station in 1984 and Neurotic Outsiders in 1995. After departing the band in 1997 to pursue solo music and acting projects, he rejoined the original lineup in 2001. He has remained an active touring and recording artist with Duran Duran, and released his autobiography, In the Pleasure Groove, in 2012.

Follows: instagram @thisisjohntaylor

Latest: Duran Duran Crowned Royal Mail Royalty as 80s Icons Get Their Own Stamps · 11 September 2026

John Taylor in brief

  • Co-founded Duran Duran in 1978 with keyboardist Nick Rhodes.
  • Formed the platinum-selling supergroup The Power Station in 1984.
  • Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
  • Published his bestselling autobiography, In the Pleasure Groove, in 2012.
  • Known for his melodic, funk-inspired bass playing on numerous top-ten singles.

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