Duran drummer Roger Taylor is stepping down from the band due to worsening tinnitus, according to a statement reported by The Guardian.
The departure marks the end of a career-defining chapter for the founding member, who helped shape the sound of 1980s new wave pop. Taylor pointed to physical limits as the primary driver behind his exit.
“This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Taylor said in the statement reported by The Guardian.
“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’s exit follows a busy period for the band, including recent UK and European tour dates, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, and studio sessions with Chic bandleader Nile Rodgers. The group previously collaborated with Rodgers on tracks such as “Notorious.”
Reflecting on the timing of his departure, Taylor highlighted these milestones as a fitting conclusion to his tenure.
“Figuring out the timing of all of this has not been easy, but I’m going out on a real high,” Taylor 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.”
He added that he had “nothing but love” for his bandmates Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor.
Taylor formed the core of Duran alongside Rhodes and John Taylor, later welcoming Le Bon and guitarist Andy Taylor. He performed on the group’s first three albums between 1981 and 1983, records that achieved massive transatlantic success and defined a glossy pop era.
Following the band’s appearance at Live Aid, Taylor stepped away. He later explained the decision by stating, “It sounds like a cliche, but I needed to get to know myself. Because, when you’re in a band like that, you’re very much recognised for being part of the whole. You can lose yourself.”
He returned briefly in 1994 before rejoining permanently in 2001. That second stint yielded six additional studio albums, beginning with 2004’s Astronaut and concluding with 2023’s Danse Macabre.
Roger Taylor is stepping down because his tinnitus has steadily worsened, forcing him to heed the advice of his doctors and listen to his body.
Taylor was one of the earliest members, playing on the band’s initial 1981–1983 albums. He returned permanently in 2001 after a brief 1994 stint.
Taylor recorded six albums following his permanent return in 2001, culminating with the 2023 release Danse Macabre.
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