Roger Taylor (b. 1960)

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Biography

Roger Meddows Taylor is an English musician, songwriter and record producer. He achieved international fame as the drummer and backing vocalist for the rock band Queen. As a drummer, Taylor was recognised early in his career for his unique sound and was voted the eighth-greatest drummer in classic rock music history in a listener poll conducted by Planet Rock in 2005. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 as a member of Queen.

Timeline

The story of Roger Taylor, told in moments.

1949 Birth

Born Roger Meddows Taylor in King's Lynn, Norfolk. The new maternity ward where he was born had been opened by Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen. His mother was introduced to the princess that day.

Was being born in a ward opened by the future Queen an omen? How did Norfolk shape your musical taste? When did drumming become your identity?

1970 Event

Co-founded Queen with Brian May and Freddie Mercury. Taylor had been drumming with May in a band called Smile. When Mercury joined, they renamed themselves. Taylor's falsetto harmonies became essential to the Queen sound.

What was it like when Freddie Mercury joined and everything changed? How essential was your falsetto to the Queen sound? Did you know from the start that this band was different?

1984 Event

Wrote "Radio Ga Ga," which became a worldwide hit and inspired the stage name of a young New York performer named Stefani Germanotta. She'd later become Lady Gaga.

How does it feel that 'Radio Ga Ga' inspired Lady Gaga's name? Was writing a worldwide hit a surprise for the drummer? Did the song's message about radio resonate personally?

1991 Life

Co-wrote "These Are the Days of Our Lives," the last music video featuring Freddie Mercury before his death from AIDS. The video showed a visibly frail Mercury. It went to number one.

What was it like filming Freddie's last video? How did you hold it together seeing him so frail? Does that video feel sacred to you?

2001 Legacy

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Queen. Taylor wrote or co-wrote three UK number-one singles and continued touring with Brian May and vocalist Adam Lambert.

Is touring with Adam Lambert honoring Freddie or moving forward? What does the Rock Hall mean when half the band is gone? How do you keep Queen alive without Freddie?