Editing Roger Taylor (Queen drummer)

{{Short description|English musician (born 1949)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name             = Roger Taylor
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}}
| image            = Queen And Adam Lambert - The O2 - Tuesday 12th December 2017 QueenO2121217-47 (39066610085) Cropped.jpg
| caption          = Taylor performing with [[Queen + Adam Lambert]] in December 2017
| birth_name       = Roger Meddows Taylor
| birth_date       = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1949|7|26}}
| birth_place      = [[King's Lynn]], Norfolk, England
| education        = [[Bachelor of Science|BSc]], Bachelor Degree in Biology
| alma_mater       = [[University of East London|East London Polytechnic]]
| occupation       = {{flat list|
* Musician
* songwriter
}}
| years_active     = 1966–present
| spouse           = {{marriage|Sarina Potgieter|2010}}
| children         = 5, including [[Rufus Tiger Taylor|Rufus]] and [[Tigerlily Taylor|Tigerlily]]
| module           = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed            = yes
| genre            = [[Rock music|Rock]]
| instrument       = {{hlist|Drums|vocals|guitar}}<!--- "Drums" stands for his work with Queen, "vocals" stands for his contibution to these two bands. Still, Taylor is known for vocals more than guitar as he usually provides harmony in Queen. If you think an instrument should be listed, a discussion to reach a consensus is needed first per: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Infobox_musical_artist#instrument--->
| label            = {{flat list|
* [[EMI Records|EMI]]
* [[Elektra Records|Elektra]]
* [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
* [[Parlophone]]
* [[Hollywood Records|Hollywood]]
* [[Virgin EMI Records|Virgin EMI]]
}}
| current_member_of  = {{flat list|
* [[Queen (band)|Queen]]
* [[Queen + Adam Lambert]]
* Felix & Arty
}}
| past_member_of = {{flat list|
* The Reaction<ref>{{cite web|title = Roger Taylor|url = https://www.queenonline.com/roger_taylor|website= queenonline.com|access-date = 3 April 2025|quote = By 1966 Roger had not only progressed to drumming in Cornwall's most popular band, the Reaction, but had also become their lead singer}}</ref>
* [[Queen + Paul Rodgers]]
* [[The Cross (band)|The Cross]]
* [[Smile (band)|Smile]]
}}
| website          = {{URL|rogertaylorofficial.com}}
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100|OBE}}
}}
}}

'''Roger Meddows Taylor'''  (born 26 July 1949) is an English musician, songwriter and record producer. He achieved international fame as the drummer and backing vocalist for the rock band [[Queen (band)|Queen]].<ref name="Independent">{{cite news|last1=Macnab|first1=Geoffrey|title=Roger Taylor interview: The Queen drummer has written the soundtrack for British film Solitary|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/roger-taylor-interview-the-queen-drummer-has-written-the-soundtrack-for-british-film-solitary-10179509.html|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|access-date=6 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009141013/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/roger-taylor-interview-the-queen-drummer-has-written-the-soundtrack-for-british-film-solitary-10179509.html|archive-date=9 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> As a drummer, Taylor was recognised early in his career for his unique sound<ref name="rs-149">''[[Rolling Stone]]'' – Issue 149 – 12 June 1973</ref> and was voted the eighth-greatest drummer in classic rock music history in a listener poll conducted by [[Planet Rock (radio station)|Planet Rock]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4669597.stm |access-date=28 January 2008 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=10 July 2005 |title=Zeppelin voted 'ideal supergroup' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021231419/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4669597.stm |archive-date=21 October 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2001 as a member of Queen.

As a songwriter, Taylor composed at least one track on every Queen album, and often sang lead vocals on his own compositions. He wrote or co-wrote three UK number ones ("[[These Are the Days of Our Lives]]",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sebastian.queenconcerts.com/s-tatdool.htm |title=These Are the Days of Our Lives |access-date=28 January 2008 |work=Bechstein Debauchery |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071217074920/http://sebastian.queenconcerts.com/s-tatdool.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 17 December 2007}}</ref> "[[Innuendo (song)|Innuendo]]" and "[[Under Pressure]]") and wrote a further five major hits ("[[Radio Ga Ga]]", "[[A Kind of Magic (song)|A Kind of Magic]]", "[[Heaven for Everyone]]", "[[Breakthru (song)|Breakthru]]" and "[[The Invisible Man (song)|The Invisible Man]]").<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sebastian.queenconcerts.com/s-im.htm |title=The Invisible Man |access-date=28 January 2008 |work=Bechstein Debauchery |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071217144950/http://sebastian.queenconcerts.com/s-im.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 17 December 2007}}</ref> He has collaborated with such artists as [[Eric Clapton]], [[Roger Waters]], [[Roger Daltrey]], [[Robert Plant]], [[Phil Collins]], [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], [[Jimmy Nail]], [[Kansas (band)|Kansas]], [[Elton John]], [[Gary Numan]], [[Shakin' Stevens]], [[Foo Fighters]], [[Al Stewart]], [[Steve Vai]], [[Yoshiki (musician)|Yoshiki]], [[Cyndi Almouzni]] and [[Bon Jovi]]. As a producer, he has produced albums by [[Virginia Wolf]], [[Jimmy Nail]] and [[Magnum (band)|Magnum]].

As a singer, Taylor employs a [[falsetto]] vocal range. During the 1980s, in addition to his work with Queen, he formed a parallel band known as [[The Cross (band)|the Cross]], in which he was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist. During the early 1980s, Taylor was also a panellist on the UK quiz show ''[[Pop Quiz]]'', hosted by [[Mike Read]]. In 2014, he appeared in ''[[Brian Pern]]'' as himself.

He is the father of [[The Darkness (band)|the Darkness']] drummer [[Rufus Tiger Taylor]].

== Early life ==
Roger Meddows Taylor was born on 26 July 1949 at [[West Norfolk and Lynn Hospital]] in [[King's Lynn]], Norfolk. The new maternity ward was opened by Princess Elizabeth, the future queen, [[Elizabeth II]]. During her visit she was introduced to 16 new mothers including Winifred Taylor, his mother. Taylor first lived at 87 High Street in King's Lynn and later moved to Beulah Street in the town. Taylor's first school was Rosebery Avenue school.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Trevor|first1=Heaton|title=Rock Star's Norfolk Childhood|url=http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Roger_Taylor_-_03-20-1999_-_Eastern_Daily_Press_-_Rock_Star%27s_Norfolk_Childhood|website=Queen Archives|publisher=Eastern Daily Press|access-date=19 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207235556/http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Roger_Taylor_-_03-20-1999_-_Eastern_Daily_Press_-_Rock_Star%27s_Norfolk_Childhood|archive-date=7 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Taylor moved to [[Truro]], Cornwall, in south west England, with his mother Winifred, father Michael and younger sister Clare. When he was seven years old, he and some friends formed his first band, the Bubblingover Boys, in which he played the [[ukulele]]. He briefly attended [[Truro Cathedral School]]; at the age of 13, he joined [[Truro School]] as a day boy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://themarchoftheblackqueen.piczo.com/?g=57322673&cr=6|title=Roger|website=Themarchoftheblackqueen.piczo.com|access-date=8 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203015952/http://themarchoftheblackqueen.piczo.com/?g=57322673&cr=6|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> 

At the age of 15, Taylor became a member of Johnny Quale and the Reactions, a semi-professional rock band made up mainly of boys from Truro School. Taylor had originally learned guitar, but became a drummer when he realised he had a more natural aptitude for it. Taylor taught himself to tune his drums, inspired by [[Keith Moon]] of [[the Who]] because of the "great drum sounds" on the early Who records.<ref name="Roger Taylor Interview">{{cite web | url= http://www.queenzone.com/articles/roger-taylor-interview.aspx | title= Roger Taylor Interview | publisher= Queen Zone | access-date= 10 August 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150715215326/http://www.queenzone.com/articles/roger-taylor-interview.aspx | archive-date= 15 July 2015 | df= dmy-all }}</ref> Another key influence on Taylor was [[Mitch Mitchell]] of [[the Jimi Hendrix Experience]], who Taylor stated was his early role model.<ref name="Roger's Drum Master Class">{{cite web | url= http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/interviews/roger-taylor-1/drum-master-class/ | title= Roger's Drum Master Class (Music Works – BBC World Service, November 28, 1993) | publisher= Queen Online | access-date= 10 August 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924084245/http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/interviews/roger-taylor-1/drum-master-class/ | archive-date= 24 September 2015 | url-status= live }}</ref>

In 1967, Taylor went to London to study dentistry at the [[Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry|London Hospital Medical College]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/members/roger-taylor/|title=Roger Taylor|website=Queen official website|access-date=15 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119013417/http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/members/roger-taylor/|archive-date=19 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> but he became bored with it and changed to biology obtaining a BSc at [[University of East London|East London Polytechnic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Roger_Taylor_-_09-XX-1975_-_Circus|title=Heavy Meddows Kid|last=Rose|first=Frank|website=Queen Archives|publisher=Eastern Daily Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116181901/http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Roger_Taylor_-_09-XX-1975_-_Circus|archive-date=16 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Career ==
=== 1968–1970: Smile ===
{{Main|Smile (band)}}

Taylor met [[Brian May]] and [[Tim Staffell]] in 1968 after a friend saw an advert for a drummer on a noticeboard at [[Imperial College London|Imperial College]]. Smile included May on lead guitar, Staffell on lead vocals and bass, and later Taylor on drums. The band lasted for two years before Staffell departed to join [[Humpy Bong]], leaving the band with a catalogue of nine songs.

Smile reunited for several songs on 22 December 1992. Taylor's band [[The Cross (band)|the Cross]] were headliners and he brought May and Staffell on to play "Earth" and "If I Were a Carpenter".<ref>[http://www.queenzone.com/queenzone/article_show.aspx?Q=11] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208151834/http://www.queenzone.com/queenzone/article_show.aspx?Q=11|date=8 February 2007}}</ref>

=== 1970s–present: Queen ===
{{Main|Queen (band)}}

[[File:Roger Taylor 2005.JPG|thumb|right|Taylor (pictured in 2005) has been with Queen since the band's inception]]
In 1969, Taylor was working with [[Freddie Mercury]] at [[Kensington Market, London|Kensington Market]] in London (they were sharing a flat at around the same time).<ref>{{cite news |title=Roger Taylor "I remember" |url=https://www.readersdigest.co.uk/culture/celebrities/roger-taylor-i-remember |access-date=4 March 2020 |work=Reader's Digest}}</ref> Mercury, then known as Farrokh "Freddie" Bulsara, was a fan of Smile. The band split up in 1970. In the same year, Taylor turned down the chance to become drummer for [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], which led to [[Phil Collins]] joining instead.
<ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/8784298/Queen-40th-anniversary-10-things-you-never-knew.html | title= Queen 40th anniversary: 10 things you never knew | work= The Daily Telegraph | date= 24 September 2011 | access-date= 27 August 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924194628/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/8784298/Queen-40th-anniversary-10-things-you-never-knew.html | archive-date= 24 September 2015 | url-status= live }}</ref> Bulsara convinced the remaining two members of Smile to continue and he eventually joined the band, which he renamed Queen. In 1971, they recruited bassist [[John Deacon]], before going on to release their [[Queen (Queen album)|self-titled debut album]] in 1973. Taylor is the third most credited songwriter for the band, usually contributing one or two tracks per album.

===1977–present: Solo career===
Taylor has had a productive solo career, releasing six albums. His first single was "I Wanna Testify" in 1977, recorded during Queen's sessions for the ''[[News of the World (album)|News of the World]]'' album. The A-side, although a cover of the Parliaments song of the same name, was completely different from the original. The B-side was a self-penned song "Turn on the TV".

[[File:Roger Taylor live @ Palermo - 1995 (32468802986).jpg|thumb|left|Taylor onstage in Palermo, Italy, January 1995]]
[[File:Queen News Of The World (1977 Press Kit Photo 06) Roger Taylor.jpg|thumb|Taylor in 1977]]
Taylor's first solo album, released in 1981, was ''[[Fun in Space]]'', on which he performed all vocals and played all instruments aside from about half of the keyboards, which were contributed by engineer [[David Richards (record producer)|David Richards]]. With Queen still touring heavily and recording at the time of release, Taylor was unable to promote the album to its fullest extent, only appearing on some European TV shows to promote the single, "Future Management", including ''[[Top of the Pops]]''. A second single from the album was titled "My Country". The only US single released from the album was "Let's Get Crazy".

Taylor's next solo venture, ''[[Strange Frontier]]'', came in June 1984. The three singles from the album were the title track, "Beautiful Dreams" (in Portugal only) and "Man on Fire", the latter becoming a live favourite for him in later years. No attempts to promote the singles were made since Queen was touring to promote ''[[The Works (Queen album)|The Works]]'', with Taylor not even performing on any TV shows. ''Strange Frontier'' included guest appearances by bandmates Freddie Mercury, Brian May and John Deacon. Mercury sang backing vocals on "Killing Time", Deacon remixed the B-side "I Cry For You" and [[Rick Parfitt]] co-wrote and played on "It's An Illusion". David Richards, Queen's engineer and producer at the time, also co-wrote two of the tracks. The album includes covers of [[Bruce Springsteen]]'s "[[Racing in the Street]]" and [[Bob Dylan]]'s "[[Masters of War]]".

[[File:Roger Taylor Jeff Beck and Jamie Moses 2.jpg|thumb|right|Taylor (left) in concert with [[Jeff Beck]] in May 2013]]
In 1986, Taylor co-produced ''[[Vigilante (Magnum album)|Vigilante]]'', the sixth studio album by rock band [[Magnum (band)|Magnum]].<ref>{{cite book |author1=Patrick Lemieux | author2=Adam Unger |title=The Queen Chronology: The Recording & Release History of the Band|year=2013|page=54|publisher=Across the Board Books|isbn=978-0991984046}}</ref> After Queen finished their 1986 [[A Kind of Magic|Magic Tour]], Taylor started a new band, [[The Cross (band)|the Cross]], which released three albums over their six years of existence. In 1993, the band split up, after performing one final gig at the [[Wickham Festival#History|Gosport Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biography.com/people/roger-taylor-21213223|title=Roger Taylor|website=Biography|language=en-us|access-date=1 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301225752/https://www.biography.com/people/roger-taylor-21213223|archive-date=1 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1994, Taylor worked with [[Yoshiki (musician)|Yoshiki]], drummer and pianist of [[X Japan]] and released the song "Foreign Sand" and a reworking of the Cross's "Final Destination". The album ''Happiness?'' was "Dedicated to the tasmanian tiger – thylacinus cynocephalus, but most especially... for Freddie". "Nazis 1994" from this album became Taylor's first hit single in England and was followed by two other top 40 UK hits, "Happiness" and "Foreign Sand".

In 1998, Taylor released his fourth solo album ''[[Electric Fire]]''.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gZIjT8PgJMEC&q=In+1998%2C+Taylor+released+his+fourth+solo+album+Electric+Fire.&pg=PA499|title=The International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002|last=Gregory|first=Andy|date=2002|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=9781857431612|language=en}}</ref> Taylor also performed one of the first Internet-gigs – for which he got a mention in the [[Guinness Book of World Records]].<ref>[http://www.queencollector.com/Articles/Solo10/roger.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930042840/http://www.queencollector.com/Articles/Solo10/roger.html|date=30 September 2007}}</ref> On 11 November 2013, Taylor released the album ''[[Fun on Earth]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.planetrock.com/news/rock-news/roger-taylor-to-release-solo-album/ |title=Roger Taylor To Release Solo Album &#124; Rock News &#124; News |publisher=Planet Rock |date=22 November 2012 |access-date=27 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507113752/http://www.planetrock.com/news/rock-news/roger-taylor-to-release-solo-album/ |archive-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> On the same day, Taylor released his compilation album ''[[The Lot (album)|The Lot]]'', which includes all of his work outside of Queen.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Queen's Roger Taylor Talks Solo Work, Hopes Band Will Record With Adam Lambert|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6296827/queen-roger-taylor-solo-record-adam-lambert|url-status=live|access-date=1 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519072351/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6296827/queen-roger-taylor-solo-record-adam-lambert|archive-date=19 May 2018}}</ref>

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Taylor released a new single "Isolation" on 21 June 2020.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/bB4t0I6nO28 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200622050403/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB4t0I6nO28&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB4t0I6nO28|title=Isolation|date=21 June 2020 |publisher=YouTube|access-date=19 August 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The song debuted on the top of the UK iTunes Rock chart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CBxX63-p6XK/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/rogertaylorofficial/2337754882488378826_2337754767295831815 |archive-date=23 December 2021 |url-access=subscription|title=@rogertaylorofficial on Instagram: "Wow! #isolation #number1 #rockchart Link in bio"|website=Instagram.com|access-date=19 August 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 7 May 2021, Taylor announced his new solo album, ''[[Outsider (Roger Taylor album)|Outsider]]'', which was released on 1 October 2021, and debuted at number three on the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20211008/7502/|title=Official Albums Chart Top 100|website=[[OfficialCharts.com]]|access-date=24 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4fz8vWfWU0Uk4QBqrxd1sg|title=Episode 24 (feat. Queen)|date=7 May 2021|website=Open.spotify.com}}</ref>

===1987–1993: The Cross===
{{Main|The Cross (band)}}

The Cross were a side project of Taylor's that existed from 1987 to 1993 and released three albums. While still the drummer for Queen, Taylor fronted the Cross as rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist. On its debut release, ''The Cross'' incorporated dance influences which they dropped on their remaining two albums.

===2001–2011===
[[File:Roger Taylor Vienna 1.11.2008.jpg|thumb|upright|Taylor with Queen and [[Paul Rodgers]] in 2008]]

Taylor has appeared along with May for various other events and promotions, including Queen's induction into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2001<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockhall.com/inductees/queen |title=Queen: inducted in 2001 &#124; The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum |publisher=Rockhall.com |date=15 April 2013 |access-date=16 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718220555/http://www.rockhall.com/inductees/queen/ |archive-date=18 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the "[[Party at the Palace]]" in 2002, celebrating the golden jubilee of [[Queen Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.queenvault.com/patp.html |title=Party at the Palace |publisher=QueenVault.com |date=3 June 2002 |access-date=16 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608161809/http://www.queenvault.com/patp.html |archive-date=8 June 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2004, Taylor, May, and Mike Dixon received the [[Helpmann Award]] in Australia for Best Music Direction for the musical [[We Will Rock You (musical)|''We Will Rock You'']].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.helpmannawards.com.au/2004/past-nominees-and-winners/industry-awards|title=Past nominees and winners Helpmann Awards|access-date=16 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220174809/http://www.helpmannawards.com.au/2004/past-nominees-and-winners/industry-awards|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[Live Earth (2007 concert)|Live Earth]] concert held at Wembley Stadium in 2007, Taylor opened the show with [[Taylor Hawkins]] of [[Foo Fighters]] and [[Chad Smith]] of [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]].

Taylor and May, performing as Queen, also appeared three times on the American singing contest television show ''[[American Idol]]''. The first appearance was on 11&nbsp;April 2006, during which that week's contestants were required to sing a Queen song. Songs performed included "[[Bohemian Rhapsody]]", "[[Fat Bottomed Girls]]", "[[The Show Must Go On (Queen song)|The Show Must Go On]]", "[[Who Wants to Live Forever]]", and "[[Innuendo (song)|Innuendo]]". The second time Queen appeared was on the show's [[American Idol (season 8)|season 8]] finale in May 2009, performing "We Are the Champions" with finalists [[Adam Lambert]] and [[Kris Allen]]. The third appearance was during the [[American Idol (season 11)|eleventh season]] on 25 and 26&nbsp;April 2012, performing a Queen medley with the six finalists on the first show. The following day, they performed "[[Somebody to Love (Queen song)|Somebody to Love]]" with the Queen Extravaganza band.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/the-queen-extravaganza-somebody-to-love-on-american-idol-20120427 |title='Somebody to Love' on 'American Idol' – Video |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=27 April 2012 |access-date=16 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121132316/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/the-queen-extravaganza-somebody-to-love-on-american-idol-20120427 |archive-date=21 January 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[file:AdamLambertQueen1.jpg|thumb|left|Taylor on drums with vocalist [[Adam Lambert]] in 2012]]
In November 2009, Taylor appeared on the reality TV show ''[[The X Factor (UK TV series)|The X Factor]]'' with May as Queen mentoring the contestants and performing "[[Bohemian Rhapsody]]". That month Taylor confirmed he was planning to tour with Taylor Hawkins, which Taylor described as a "quick tour".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/53482/Queen-And-Foo-Fighters-Drummers-To-Team-Up-For-2010-Tour |title=Queen And Foo Fighters Drummers To Team Up For 2010 Tour |publisher=Gigwise |date=17 November 2009 |access-date=16 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016074303/http://www.gigwise.com/news/53482/Queen-And-Foo-Fighters-Drummers-To-Team-Up-For-2010-Tour |archive-date=16 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2011 MTV Europe Music Awards]] on 6&nbsp;November, Queen received the [[MTV Europe Music Award for Global Icon|Global Icon Award]], and Taylor and May closed the awards ceremony, with [[Adam Lambert]] on vocals, performing "The Show Must Go On", "We Will Rock You", and "We Are the Champions".<ref>{{cite web |author=Penny Newton |url=http://www.mtv.com.au/news/61c139e8-katy-perry-adam-lambert-honour-queen/ |title=Katy And Adam Honour Queen! &#124; Queen &#124; News &#124; MTV Australia |publisher=Mtv.com.au |date=6 November 2011 |access-date=16 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912235351/http://www.mtv.com.au/news/61c139e8-katy-perry-adam-lambert-honour-queen/ |archive-date=12 September 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2011, Taylor, along with [[Steven Tyler]] and [[Roger Daltrey]], joined the advisory board of Edge Music Network. Taylor performed in the [[2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony]] in London on 12 August.

===2013–present===
In 2013 and 2014, Taylor served as an executive producer of the film ''Solitary'', directed by Sasha Krane. In addition to those duties, he provided original music, including the song "When We Were Young" and three instrumental songs which serve as incidental/background music in the film and during the closing credits. Taylor also appeared as a special guest for Welsh Rock artist [[Jayce Lewis]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://brianmay.com/brian-news/2018/01/we-are-one-jayce-lewis-ft-brian-may/ | title='We Are One' - Jayce Lewis ft Brian May | date=9 January 2018 }}</ref> providing drums for the track "Wrath" which were recorded at Taylor's personal studio in [[Surrey]], the song was released as a single from the Welshman's album ''Nemesis''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rogertaylor.info/guestdet.html|title=Roger Taylor of Queen guest appearances discography.|publisher=Rogertaylor.info|access-date=29 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809224804/http://www.rogertaylor.info/guestdet.html|archive-date=9 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/will-will-rock-you-jayce-7233750|title=He will, he will, rock you! Jayce Lewis is granted an audience with Queen star |website=Walesonline.co.uk|date=8 June 2014|access-date=29 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925044610/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/will-will-rock-you-jayce-7233750|archive-date=25 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/queen-drummer-roger-taylor-agrees-5324038|title=Queen drummer Roger Taylor agrees to play on Welsh rocker Jayce Lewis' new album|website=Walesonline.co.uk|date=28 July 2013|access-date=29 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810004706/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/queen-drummer-roger-taylor-agrees-5324038|archive-date=10 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.queenconcerts.com/queenzone/1354161.html | title=Queen drummer Roger Taylor agrees to play on Welsh rocker Jayce Lewis' new &#91;QueenConcerts&#93; }}</ref> On 15&nbsp;November 2014, Taylor joined the charity group [[Band Aid 30]], playing drums alongside current British and Irish pop acts on the latest version of the track "[[Do They Know It's Christmas?]]" at [[Sarm West Studios]] in [[Notting Hill]], London, to raise money for the [[2014 Ebola outbreaks|2014 Ebola crisis]] in Western Africa.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Band Aid 30: One Direction among celebrity line-up|newspaper=Telegraph|date=11 November 2014|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/11220735/Band-Aid-30-line-up-revealed.html|access-date=11 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220193058/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/11220735/Band-Aid-30-line-up-revealed.html|archive-date=20 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 5 and 6&nbsp;September 2015, Taylor, along with [[Led Zeppelin]]'s [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]], joined [[Foo Fighters]] on stage in [[Milton Keynes]] to perform a cover of the Queen and [[David Bowie]] song "[[Under Pressure]]". Taylor released a new single called "Gangsters Are Running This World" on 1&nbsp;April 2019, and on 8&nbsp;April released a more rocking version of this song called "Gangsters Are Running This World-Purple Version". Both versions became available for streaming on 8&nbsp;April 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.queenonline.com/news/gangsters-are-running-this-world-available-now-inc-new-purple-version|title='Gangsters Are Running This World' Available Now – Inc. New 'Purple Version'|access-date=8 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408192617/http://www.queenonline.com/news/gangsters-are-running-this-world-available-now-inc-new-purple-version|archive-date=8 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On 10&nbsp;May 2019 he and Czech [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] goalkeeper [[Petr Čech]] released a song called "That's Football" which Čech wrote for his retiring football career.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.queenonline.com/news/out-today-thats-football-petr-cech-ft-roger-taylor|title=Out Today! 'That's Football' – Petr Cech ft. Roger Taylor|website=Queenonline.com|access-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520215231/http://www.queenonline.com/news/out-today-thats-football-petr-cech-ft-roger-taylor|archive-date=20 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2021, Taylor embarked on a 14-date solo tour (Outsider Tour) in the UK, from 2 to 22 October.<ref>{{cite news |title=Queen's Roger Taylor announces 2021 UK solo tour |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/queens-roger-taylor-announces-2021-uk-solo-tour-2952965 |access-date=5 October 2021 |work=NME}}</ref> In January 2023, Queen single "Radio Ga Ga" was sampled on singer Che Lingo's single "My Radio"; Taylor and Queen were credited as co-lead artists on the song.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/che-lingo-shares-queen-inspired-my-radio-featuring-roger-taylor-radar-3383880|title=Che Lingo shares Queen-inspired 'My Radio' featuring Roger Taylor|website=NME|last=Wilkes|first=Emma|date=19 January 2023|access-date=5 September 2024}}</ref> In November 2023, Taylor's bar The Wild, a collaboration with his wife Sarina Taylor, [[Adam Lambert]], Bryan Patrick Franklin, and Michael Solis, opened in West Hollywood, California.<ref>{{cite news |title=Adam Lambert's The Wild West Hollywood Has VIP Pre-Opening Party |url= https://wehotimes.com/adam-lamberts-the-wild-west-hollywood-has-vip-pre-opening-party/ |access-date=15 November 2023 |work=WEHO Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Roger and Adam Lambert Open New Bar in LA |url=https://www.queenonline.com/news/roger-and-adam-lambert-open-new-bar-in-la?fbclid=IwAR09lXkB1J7THl-dReR2xUqN-_lKfV1KZtCIZtPoWNCys96Gr5QpyBmTRTg_aem_AVb3htVMJuTI5Um88hQMHuJj27r_xMhniZijLB2pTgvBkTF_K1MY3jSCwPyrV_hQ6ns |access-date=17 November 2023 |work=Queen Online}}</ref>

==Influences and favourite drummers==
Taylor has stated that his early role model as a drummer was [[Mitch Mitchell]] of [[the Jimi Hendrix Experience]]. He said: "I still think listening to Mitch Mitchell, especially the early stuff with Hendrix, is just fantastic. This fusion of jazz technique and wonderful riffs but with this rolling ferocious attack on the whole kit, it had lots of jazz influences I think. In fact for me he played the kit like a song, it was just wonderful. Total integration into the song. Not just marking time".<ref name="Roger's Drum Master Class"/>

Taylor has also expressed great admiration for [[John Bonham]] of [[Led Zeppelin]]. Speaking of Bonham, Taylor said, "The greatest rock and roll drummer of all time was John Bonham, who did things that nobody had ever even thought possible before with the drum kit. And also the greatest sound out of his drums – they sounded enormous, and just one bass drum. So fast on it that he did more with one bass drum than most people could do with three, if they could manage them. And he had technique to burn and fantastic power and tremendous feel for rock and roll".<ref name="Roger's Drum Master Class"/> For sheer technique, Taylor described the jazz and [[big band]] drummer [[Buddy Rich]] as "the best I've ever seen".<ref name="Roger's Drum Master Class"/>

Speaking to ''[[Modern Drummer]]'' in 1984, Taylor described [[Keith Moon]], the drummer of [[the Who]], as "absolutely brilliant...he had a total unique style; he didn't owe anyone anything."<ref name="Roger Taylor Interview"/>

== Tributes ==
[[File:Hard Rock Cafe Madrid - Roger Taylor (313404736).jpg|thumb|right|Taylor drum displayed at the [[Hard Rock Cafe]] in Madrid]]
In 2013, a newly discovered species of the genus ''[[Heteragrion]]'' (Odonata: Zygoptera) from Brazil was named ''Heteragrion rogertaylori'' after Taylor, in honour of his "powerful sound, wonderful lyrics and raspy voice "; one of four ''Heteragrion'' flatwing [[Damselfly|damselflies]] named after the bandmates, paying tribute to the 40th anniversary of Queen's founding.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/z03685p080f.pdf|title = Diagnoses and discussion of the group 1 and 2 Brazilian species of Heteragrion, with descriptions of four new species (Odonata: Megapodagrionidae). Zootaxa 3685 (1): 001–080.|date = 9 July 2013|access-date = 26 September 2015|website = Zootaxa|publisher = Magnolia Press – Auckland, New Zealand|last = Lencioni|first = F.A.A.|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081459/http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/z03685p080f.pdf|archive-date = 4 March 2016|url-status = live}}</ref>

In 1999, Taylor became the second living person, other than members of the British Royal Family and Sir [[Francis Chichester]] in 1967, to appear on a [[Royal Mail]] [[postage stamp|stamp]], being seen behind Freddie Mercury as part of a "Great Britons" issue. This caused controversy as it was an understood rule that the only living people allowed to appear on British stamps could be members of the Royal Family.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rohrer |first=Finlo |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7669252.stm |title=The politics of stamps |work=BBC News |date=14 October 2008 |access-date=29 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112055505/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7669252.stm |archive-date=12 November 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Alex Spence |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/royal-mail-unveils-beatles-album-cover-stamps-r9996tblgr2 |title=Royal Mail unveils Beatles album cover stamps (''Times'' Online) |work=The Times |location=UK |access-date=29 October 2011}}</ref>

In 2002, Taylor appeared on the "Twelve Drummers Drumming" Christmas card in the "[[Twelve Days of Christmas]]" set sold at [[Woolworths (United Kingdom)|Woolworths]] to raise money for the [[National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children]], alongside [[Duran Duran]]'s drummer [[Roger Taylor (Duran Duran drummer)|of the same name]].<ref>[http://www.moderndrummer.com/web_exclusive?mdid=900001187] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928165839/http://www.moderndrummer.com/web_exclusive?mdid=900001187|date=28 September 2011}}</ref>

Taylor was appointed [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in the [[2020 New Year Honours]] for services to music.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=62866|supp=y|page=N15|date=28 December 2019}}</ref> At his investiture ceremony at [[Windsor Castle]] in March 2022, Taylor dedicated his OBE to the recently deceased Foo Fighters drummer [[Taylor Hawkins]], adding that Hawkins had been a mentor to his own son [[Rufus Tiger Taylor|Rufus]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Queen drummer Roger Taylor dedicates OBE to Taylor Hawkins|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/roger-taylor-taylor-hawkins-obe-foo-fighters-english-b2047235.html |access-date=6 April 2022 |work=The Independent}}</ref>

== Discography ==
{{Main|Roger Taylor discography}}
{{See also|The Cross (band)#Discography|Queen discography}}

=== Solo albums ===
* ''[[Fun in Space]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Strange Frontier]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Happiness? (Roger Taylor album)|Happiness?]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Electric Fire]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Fun on Earth]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Outsider (Roger Taylor album)|Outsider]]'' (2021)

=== Solo live albums ===
*''[[Outsider Tour Live]]'' (2022)

=== Albums made with the Cross ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! UK<br /><ref name="queenforum.parlophone.co.uk">[http://queenforum.parlophone.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=13285&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 QueenOnline Message Board :: View topic – Queen / Solos UK & US (Y MORE) Chart History<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929180927/http://queenforum.parlophone.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=13285&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 |date=29 September 2008 }}</ref>
! DE<br /><ref name="www.charts-surfer.de">{{Cite web|url=http://www.charts-surfer.de/musiksearch.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216065431/http://www.charts-surfer.de/musiksearch.php|url-status=dead|title=Charts-Surfer|archive-date=16 December 2008|access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
| 1988
| ''[[Shove It]]''
| style="text-align:center;"| 58
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|-
| 1990
| ''[[Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know (The Cross album)|Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know]]''
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| 48
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Blue Rock (album)|Blue Rock]]''
| style="text-align:center;"| –
| style="text-align:center;"| –
|}

== Portrayal in film ==
He was portrayed by [[Ben Hardy (actor)|Ben Hardy]] in the 2018 film ''[[Bohemian Rhapsody (film)|Bohemian Rhapsody]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last= Munro|first=Scott|title=Ben Hardy: It would be amazing to work with cast on Bohemian Rhapsody sequel|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/ben-hardy-it-would-be-amazing-to-work-with-cast-on-bohemian-rhapsody-sequel|access-date=19 November 2020|website=Classic Rock Magazine|date=20 December 2019|language=en}}</ref> Taylor, along with bandmate Brian May, were creative consultants on the film.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Portal|Cornwall}}
{{commonscat}}
* {{IMDb name|id=nm0003547}}
* [https://music.aunomay.com/artist/1137601/roger-taylor Roger Taylor] at [https://music.aunomay.com Aunomay Music]
* [http://www.queenincornwall.blogspot.com/ Queen in Cornwall] – includes an extensive description of Roger Taylor's early career
* [http://www.rogertaylor.info/ RogerTaylor.info] – includes most detailed discography of Roger Taylor as a solo artist, member of the Cross, as well as his numerous guest appearances

{{Roger Taylor}}
{{Queen}}
{{Queen + Paul Rodgers}}
{{Queen + Adam Lambert}}
{{2001 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}{{Cornish musicians}}{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Taylor, Roger}}
[[Category:Roger Taylor (Queen drummer)| ]]
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