Duran drummer Roger Taylor is stepping down from the band and retiring from playing the drums due to a worsening case of tinnitus, the group announced on Thursday.
The 66-year-old musician announced the departure through the band’s social media channels, explaining that medical advice and the toll on his hearing made the exit necessary. Taylor spent two distinct chapters at the heart of the group’s sound, first joining in 1979 before leaving in 1985, and later returning for the reunion of the original line-up in 2001.
Listening to Doctors and Body
Taylor described the decision as one of the hardest of his life, noting that constant ringing in his ears had reached a severe point.
“This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Taylor said in a statement.
“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.”
Writing from his home in the United States, Taylor said that protecting his long-term health had to take priority after careful consideration and medical guidance.
The condition itself is characterized by phantom noises that individuals may perceive as ringing, hissing, buzzing, or whooshing sounds. Medical sources note that such ear disturbances can stem from various physical factors, including hearing loss, infection, Ménière’s disease, diabetes, exposure to loud noises, or potential blood vessel concerns such as bone thinning between a middle ear structure and a vein.
Bowing Out on a High Note
Despite the nature of his departure, Taylor emphasized that the timing aligned with a series of major career milestones for the band, including a recent UK and European arena tour that followed a headline festival performance in London and a formal induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“Figuring out the timing of all of this has not been easy, but I’m going out on a real high,” Taylor said. “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.”
He added that he treasured the special moments from his final chapter and moved forward with enormous pride, offering “nothing but love for Simon, Nick and John.”
Two Eras Defining Duran
Born in Birmingham in 1960, Taylor was a founding member who helped build the group’s sound across early records, playing on the self-titled debut in 1981, Rio in 1982, and Seven and the Ragged Tiger in 1983, along with the 1985 James Bond theme “A View to a Kill.”
During their initial era, he also contributed to singles such as “Girls on Film,” “Hungry Like the Wolf,” and “The Reflex,” before stepping away in 1985 because he felt the need to get to know himself.
His second tenure included six additional studio albums: Astronaut, Red Carpet Massacre, All You Need Is Now, Paper Gods, Future Past, and Danse Macabre.
Support From Bandmates
Bandmates Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor released a joint statement honoring their longtime collaborator, pointing out that his rhythm anchored the group from the beginning.
“Roger is our brother,” the remaining members said. “His drumming helped define the sound of 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 band continues as a trio of Le Bon, Rhodes and John Taylor, with new material already underway in the studio with Nile Rodgers.