Duran Duran drummer Roger Taylor has announced his retirement from the band after deciding to step away from playing drums due to worsening tinnitus.
The 66-year-old musician shared the news in a statement released through the group’s social media channels, bringing an end to his second spell with the iconic British band.
Taylor joined Duran Duran in 1979, during the group’s formative years, and became part of the classic line-up alongside Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Andy Taylor as they rose to global stardom in the early 1980s. He played on the band’s first three studio albums, Duran Duran, Rio and Seven and the Ragged Tiger, before leaving in 1985.
He returned to the group in 2001 when the classic line-up reunited, going on to record and tour extensively with Duran Duran. Since his return, he played on six further studio albums, including Astronaut, Red Carpet Massacre, All You Need Is Now, Paper Gods, Future Past and Danse Macabre.
Announcing his decision, Taylor admitted it had been a difficult one.
He said: “This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. Playing drums in this band has been the joy of my life, and I’ll never be able to properly thank the fans for the love they’ve shown us over the years. But the truth is that my tinnitus has been getting steadily worse, and I’ve reached the point where I must now listen to my body and my doctors.”
The musician explained that deciding when to bow out had proved difficult, but he felt he was leaving at a particularly successful period in the band’s history.
He continued: “Figuring out the timing of all of this has not been easy, but I’m going out on a real high. We’ve just returned from a hugely successful UK and European tour, which followed our second headline show at BST Hyde Park, our induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a return to the studio with Nile Rodgers.”
Duran Duran’s latest UK and European tour began in October and included shows in Glasgow, Belfast, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds and London, before concluding in Madrid on 6 November.
The band also performed their second headline show at BST Hyde Park in London this year, while their induction into the Rock Roll Hall of Fame took place in 2022.
Reflecting on his final years with the group, Taylor added: “I couldn’t have asked for a better final chapter, with so many special moments that I’ll treasure forever. I move on with enormous pride, and with nothing but love for Simon, Nick and John.”
His bandmates were quick to pay tribute, praising the drummer’s impact on the group’s success and backing his decision to prioritise his health.
In a joint statement, Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor said: “Roger is our brother. His drumming helped define the sound of Duran Duran from the very beginning and having him back with us since 2001 has been incredibly important to us all.”
The trio continued: “We completely support his decision and wish him health and happiness. He will always be part of this family, while we continue exploring new and exciting projects with the band.”
Taylor played on some of Duran Duran’s biggest songs during their original run, including Girls on Film, Hungry Like the Wolf, Rio, The Reflex and the James Bond theme A View to a Kill.
