‘I must now listen to my body and my doctors’, says Taylor, who was one of the earliest members of the new wave hit-makers
The drummer for Duran Duran, Roger Taylor, is to step down from the band due to worsening tinnitus.
In a statement, Taylor 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.”
Taylor spoke warmly of Duran Duran’s recent UK and Europe tour, their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, and a return to the studio with Chic bandleader Nile Rodgers, with whom the band previously collaborated on songs such as Notorious.
“Figuring out the timing of all of this has not been easy, but I’m going out on a real high,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better final chapter, with so many special moments that I’ll treasure for ever. I move on with enormous pride.”
