Duran Duran drummer Roger Taylor, 66, retires as tinnitus worsens
Taylor, 66, said he sought medical advice before deciding to put his hearing and long-term health first.
Duran Duran drummer Roger Taylor announced Thursday on the band's social media accounts that he is leaving the group and retiring from drumming because his tinnitus has worsened.
Taylor, 66, played on Duran Duran's early records before returning when the original line-up reunited in 2001, and stayed with the group afterward. The band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1978.
“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,” Taylor said.
Taylor wrote from his United States home, the Daily Mail reported, and said he had considered the decision carefully and sought medical advice before putting his hearing and long-term health first. The Daily Mail and Inkl said he received the tinnitus diagnosis recently.
“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,” his three remaining bandmates, Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor, said.
Clash published a longer version of Taylor's statement, in which he said, “This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make.”
He said the timing “has not been easy, but I’m going out on a real high.” Taylor cited a just-completed UK and European tour that followed the band's second headline appearance at BST Hyde Park, its Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction and its studio return with Nile Rodgers.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better final chapter, with so many special moments that I’ll treasure forever,” he said.
“I move on with enormous pride, and with nothing but love for Simon, Nick and John,” Taylor said.
The fuller statement also included a message from Le Bon, Rhodes and John Taylor, who said, “We completely support his decision and wish him health and happiness.”
Clash wrote that a recent Hallowe’en show at The O2 Arena in London appears likely to have been Taylor's last with the band.
“He will always be part of this family, while we continue exploring new and exciting projects with the band,” Le Bon, Rhodes and John Taylor said.
