Duran Duran is saying a bittersweet goodbye to one of its longtime members as drummer Roger Taylor steps away from the band to focus on his health.
The 66-year-old musician announced his retirement in an Instagram statement on Thursday, November 12, revealing that his recently-diagnosed and swiftly worsening tinnitus has made it necessary to put his well-being first.
“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,” Taylor said. “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,” he added.
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Tinnitus causes ringing or other noises in one or both ears and can be linked to hearing loss, ear injuries or blood vessel problems, per Mayo Clinic.
Taylor has been a member of Duran Duran since its inception in 1979 until 1985 when he left the band, rejoining them in 2001.
Even though retiring has been “one of the hardest decisions” for him, Taylor said he was leaving on a high note after the band’s successful UK and European tour, its second headline show at BST Hyde Park and its Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction.
His bandmates Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor called him their “brother” and said they fully supported his decision, adding that he would always remain part of the Duran Duran family.
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