In the classic Fab Five lineup of Duran Duran, Roger Taylor was the quiet one. Steady, immediately likeable, quiet. And, according to Nile Rodgers, the consummate gentleman of rock ‘n’ roll.
As previously reported, Taylor is stepping down from Duran Duran for a second time, on this occasion due to a worsening of his recently-diagnosed tinnitus.
The British act’s long-time collaborator and producer Nile Rodgers has paid tribute to Taylor, now 66, as the heartbeat of the legendary new wave band.
“I wish Roger Taylor love, happiness and a peaceful life,” he writes in a social post. “I love Duran Duran. “They’re my longest musical relationship. This year we shared a historical tour with them and our relationship grew even stronger. We’ll always be connected for life.”
Rodgers wasn’t done there. “I’ve always loved Duran Duran from the first moment we met,” he says in an accompanying video. “We’ve shared many ups and downs together. We’ve gone through every emotional rollercoaster ride you can go through. Roger, I love you dearly. You have always been about the music and respect.”
He continues, “What can I say, man. You are incredible and I hate to miss you a second time in this band. But I love you, and you’re wonderful. The consummate gentleman of rock ‘n’ roll. Peace.”
Taylor, who is no relation to the band’s founding bass player John Taylor and guitarist Andy Taylor, was behind the kit in two outstanding Duran Duran eras.
He played on and co-wrote their essential three early records, starting with the band’s 1981 self-titled debut album, and including the 1982 masterpiece Rio and the 1983 hit Seven and the Ragged Tiger.
At the height of their popularity, following the release of the James Bond theme “A View To A Kill” and a performance at the Philadelphia leg of Live Aid in 1985, Duran Duran split in two. In one camp, frontman Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes formed Arcadia, in the other, John and Andy Taylor and The Power Station. Roger Taylor contributed to both projects. But when Duran Duran reunited for 1986’s Notorious, now as a three-piece, Roger was missing.
During his hiatus from the band, Taylor parlayed his mastery of beats into a side-gig as a club DJ.
A decade after the rupture, Roger returned to play on a few tracks for DD’s 1995 covers album Thank You. A full 15 years passed before Taylor-Taylor-Taylor-Rhodes-Le Bon got the old band back together in 2001. Roger Taylor co-wrote and played on six additional studio albums, including the 2004 comeback collection Astronaut, and played a big hand in the band’s return to the top, which included induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 and several open-air concerts at London’s Hyde Park.
Roger Taylor isn’t just leaving behind his life with the band. He’ll no longer play his instrument. “After careful consideration and medical advice, he has decided that protecting his hearing and long-term health must now come first,” reads a message from the band’s reps.
Fellow bandmembers Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor thanked their “brother.” A statement from the bandmates reads: “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.”
Duran Duran and Rodgers have a special hit-making brotherhood that dates back to 1984, when the New York City-born guitarist, producer and co-founder of seminal disco-era band Chic sprinkled platinum dust on the band’s Seven And The Ragged Tiger opener “The Reflex.” His contribution converted the song into a global smash, giving Duran Duran their first leader on the Billboard Hot 100. Their connection would hold tight through the years, from studio collaborations to multiple shows and tours, including “Wild Boys,” plus the Notorious, Astronaut, Paper Gods albums, 2023’s Halloween-themed collection Danse Macabre, and their most recent release, 2026’s “Free to Love.”
