Historical Figure
Roger Taylor
b. 1960
English musician, songwriter, and record producer (born 1949)
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Artifacts (15)
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