Duran Duran Drummer Roger Taylor Retires, Citing Worsening Tinnitus

Duran Duran drummer Roger Taylor announced on Thursday, November 12, 2026, that he is leaving the band and retiring from playing drums entirely. The 66-year-old musician said the move follows medical advice after a recent tinnitus diagnosis took a turn for the worse.

• Taylor, 66, first joined Duran Duran in 1979, two years after the group formed in Birmingham, England.
• He left the band in the mid 1980s, briefly returned in 1994, and rejoined for good when the original lineup reunited in 2001.
• Since 2001 he has written and recorded on six additional Duran Duran albums, including 2023’s Danse Macabre.
• No replacement drummer has been named as of the announcement.

Why Is Roger Taylor Leaving Duran Duran?

Taylor explained that his hearing condition has steadily deteriorated to a point where he felt he had no choice but to step back. “This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” he said in a statement. “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.”

Taylor framed the timing of his exit as bittersweet but ultimately a positive note to finish on. He pointed to a run of recent milestones, a well received United Kingdom and European tour, a second headline performance at BST Hyde Park, the band’s entry into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and fresh studio work alongside longtime collaborator Nile Rodgers, as proof he is “going out on a real high.” He added, “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.”

How Did Duran Duran React to Roger Taylor’s Departure?

Bandmates Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor responded with a joint statement praising Taylor’s role in shaping the group’s identity. “Roger is our brother,” they said. “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.”

Duran Duran’s own social media announcement described Taylor as a figure who has been central to the group’s sound across two distinct eras of the band’s history. A recent Halloween performance at London’s O2 Arena, spanning hits from across the band’s catalog, now stands as what appears to be Taylor’s final show as the group’s drummer.

Roger Taylor’s History with Duran Duran

Taylor played drums on Duran Duran’s first three studio albums: the band’s self-titled 1981 debut, 1982’s Rio, and 1983’s Seven and the Ragged Tiger. He departed the band in the mid 1980s, rejoined briefly in 1994, and then returned permanently when the original five-piece lineup reunited in 2001, a stint during which he remained the band’s drummer right up until Thursday’s announcement.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a condition in which sufferers perceive phantom sounds, commonly described as ringing, hissing, buzzing or whooshing noises, without any external source. Estimates of how widespread the condition is vary: one figure puts the number of affected adults at roughly 7.6 million, while the Mayo Clinic is cited as estimating that tinnitus affects somewhere between 15% and 30% of people. The condition is frequently linked to age-related hearing decline, but it can also stem from repeated exposure to loud sound, including the kind associated with live performance and studio recording.

More Info

• Duran Duran’s Roger Taylor To Step Down From The Band | clashmusic.com
• Duran Duran Drummer Roger Taylor Stepping Down From Band Due to Tinnitus Diagnosis: I Move On With Enormous Pride | Billboard
• Duran Duran’s Roger Taylor Retires From Drumming | SPIN
• Duran Duran Drummer Roger Taylor Retiring Due to Worsening Tinnitus | Rolling Stone
• Duran Duran’s Roger Taylor announces he is stepping down from the band | Daily Mail Showbiz
• Duran Duran Drummer Roger Taylor Exits Group and Retires Following Tinnitus Diagnosis | Variety Music
• Duran Duran drummer Roger Taylor hangs his boots | thehawk.in
• Duran Duran’s Roger Taylor to Step Down From Band | Ultimate Classic Rock