AceShowbiz -

Duran Duran is incomplete. The British band announced Thursday Oct 26th on their Website that founding guitarist Andy Taylor has decided to quit Duran Duran just as the group is getting ready to embark on the U.S. leg of its latest world tour.

A statement on the group's Website said, "As of last weekend, however, the four of us have dissolved our partnership and will be continuing as Duran Duran without Andy, as we have reached a point in our relationship with him where there is an unworkable gulf between us and we can no longer effectively function together. Although obviously disappointed and saddened about this, we are excited about the next chapter of the Duran Duran story and look forward to seeing you all soon."

Despite Andy's departure, the four remaining members Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Roger Taylor will continue its tour, playing eight U.S. cities over the next two weeks starting with Chicago on Thursday with Dom Brown stands in as guitarist until the tour ends on November 11.

Subsequent to the tour, Duran Duran will get back to the studio to continue recording, following a recent collaboration with U.S. singer Justin Timberlake and producer-rapper Timbaland. A new album is expected out next year.