Duran Duran have announced that drummer Roger Taylor is stepping down from the band and retiring from playing the drums, after a worsening of his recently diagnosed tinnitus. The news was shared via the band’s social media on Thursday 12 November. After careful consideration and medical advice, Taylor has decided that protecting his hearing and long-term health must now come first.
Taylor has been at the heart of Duran Duran’s sound across two remarkable chapters. He played on the band’s era-defining early records, then returned for the celebrated reunion of the original line-up in 2001. Since then he has written and played on six additional chart-topping albums, and performed with the band to millions of fans around the world.
Speaking from his home in the U.S., Roger said: “This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. 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.”
He added that the timing had not been easy, but that he was going out on a high. “We’ve just returned from a hugely successful UK and European tour, which followed our second headline 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’ll treasure forever. I move on with enormous pride, and with nothing but love for Simon, Nick and John.”
Fellow band members Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor said: “Roger is our brother. His drumming helped define the sound of Duran Duran from the very beginning and having him back with us since 2001 has been incredibly important to us all. We completely support his decision and wish him health and happiness. He will always be part of this family, while we continue exploring new and exciting projects with the band.”
The Hyde Park show Taylor cited was part of a record-breaking BST Hyde Park 2026 season, in which Duran Duran headlined on 5 July alongside bills from Garth Brooks, ATEEZ, Maroon 5, Mumford & Sons, Pitbull and Lewis Capaldi. It was the band’s second headline appearance at the festival.
The announcement does not name a replacement drummer, or set out how the remaining members will approach live shows. The band said they will continue with new projects, while Taylor leaves with pride after what he described as a final chapter that also took in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and studio work with Nile Rodgers.
Image credits: Elliot Taylor
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