Duran Duran ProfileEnglish pop-rock band Duran Duran have announced that drummer Roger Taylor is stepping down due to “a worsening of his recently diagnosed tinnitus.”
Health Direct describes Tinnitus as “when you hear ringing and other sounds in your ears,” with hearing loss and vertigo listed as other symptoms.
The group made a statement on Instagram on Thursday (12 November), sharing plenty of love for their bandmate.
John Taylor and Nick Rhodes formed Duran Duran in 1978 alongside Taylor’s art school friend, Stephen Duffy. Roger Taylor joined the band in 1979, and vocalist Simon Le Bon joined in 1980. Taylor was their drummer until 1985, and again from 2001 until his retirement in 2026.
Roger Taylor played on the band’s first three studio albums – 1981’s self-titled effort, 1982’s Rio, and 1983’s Seven and the Ragged Tiger. Upon rejoining the band in 2001, he and his Rio-era bandmates released 2004’s Astronaut.
Taylor appears on the band’s remaining albums: 2007’s Red Carpet Massacre, 2010’s All You Need Is Now, 2015’s Paper Gods, 2021’s Future Past, and 2023’s Danse Macabre.
Duran Duran said that Taylor had been “at the heart” of their sound “across two remarkable chapters,” citing his playing on their “era-defining early records,” followed by his return and the
“celebrated reunion of the original line-up in 2001, writing and playing on six additional chart-topping albums and performing with them to millions of fans around the world.”
In a statement, Taylor said of his decision to step down from the band, “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.”
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 & Roll Hall of Fame, and a return to the studio with Nile Rodgers.
“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 Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor added, “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.
“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.”
The Music interviewed Roger Taylor in 2023 for the release of Danse Macabre. You can check it out here.
