A founding member of the English pop-rock group Duran Duran withdraws from the concert. Roger Taylor will hang up his drumsticks following a diagnosis of tinnitus, which has worsened in recent times, the group announced on its website and social networks.
“This is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make,” Taylor said in a statement. “Playing drums in this band has been the joy of my life, and I will never be able to properly thank the fans for the love they have shown us over the years. But the truth is, my tinnitus keeps getting worse and I have reached the point where I now have to listen to my body and my doctors.”
British band Duran Duran pictured in London in 1981: (clockwise from top left) Nick Rhodes, Simon Le Bon, Andy Taylor, Roger Taylor and John Taylor.
(Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Founded in Birmingham in 1978 by keyboardist Nick Rhodes and bassist John Taylor, Duran Duran welcomed its remaining core members in 1980 when Roger, Simon Le Bon on vocals and Andy Taylor on guitar, joined the band. (Roger, John and Andy are not related.) Duran Duran would become a leading group in the “New Romantic” movement with hits such as “Planet Earth”, “Girls on Film”, “Hungry Like the Wolf”, “Rio”, “Union of the Snake”, “The Wild Boys”, “Notorious” and “The Reflex”, which reached number one in the United States with their title song on the soundtrack of the 1985 James Bond film, “A View to a Kill”.
“Figuring out the timing of all of this hasn’t been easy,” said Roger, “but I’m leaving on a very high note. We’ve just returned from a hugely successful UK and European tour, which followed our second headlining show at BST Hyde Park, our induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a return to the studio with Nile Rodgers. I couldn’t have asked for a better final chapter, with so many special moments that I will cherish forever. I move forward with immense pride and with nothing but love for Simon, Nick and John.
Le Bon, Rhodes and John Taylor added: “Roger is our brother. His drumming helped define the Duran Duran sound from the beginning and having him back with us since 2001 has been extremely important to all of us. We fully support his decision and wish him health and happiness. He will always be a part of this family, as we continue to explore exciting new projects with the band.”
Gn entert
