Roger Taylor: 10 Stunning Facts About Queen’s Drummer
Roger Taylor isn’t just the powerhouse behind Queen’s greatest anthems – he is a multi-talented artist with a story as rhythmic as his drum solos.
In this article we will explore his hidden talents, accolades, interests, tidbits from his life, and of course, his pivotal role in shaping Queen’s iconic sound. Here are 10 surprising facts you might not know about the fashionable drummer!
1. Met Queen Elizabeth II as a newborn
Roger Taylor entered the world at the West Norfolk and Lynn Hospital in King’s Lynn in 1949. Interestingly, the new maternity unit had just been opened by then-Princess Elizabeth.
During her visit to inspect the new facilities, the future monarch met with the first patients there, including Roger’s mother Winifred Taylor. So it’s very likely that he was introduced to royalty from the very beginning.
Many decades later, Taylor performed at the international celebration of the “Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II”, marking the 50th anniversary of her accession to the throne.
2. Studied dentistry and biology
Before his rock career took off, Roger took the safe and academic route. He initially enrolled at London Hospital Medical College to study dentistry, but quickly realized it wasn’t for him. He later switched to biology at East London Polytechnic, where he earned a bachelor’s degree.
And he’s not the only member of Queen with a degree, in fact they all have one. John Deacon has a bachelor’s in electrical engineering, Freddie Mercury is a graphic design graduate, and Brian May has a PhD in astrophysics.
3. Ran a market stall with Freddie Mercury
Before the fame and glamor, Roger and Freddie were just two struggling musicians trying to make ends meet.
They shared a flat and operated a stall at the bustling Kensington Market in London where they sold an eclectic mix of second-hand Edwardian clothing, vintage scarves, furs, and even some of Mercury‘s artwork.
Read: 10 Fun Facts About Freddie Mercury
4. Had the opportunity to join Genesis
At a crucial juncture before Queen‘s formation, when Roger Taylor was still playing with Brian May in Smile, he received an offer that could have altered rock history – to join Genesis as their drummer.
However, it was Freddie Mercury who convinced him to stick with Smile, a band he later joined (and renamed Queen) after lead singer and bassist Tim Staffell left the group. Interestingly, the drummer Genesis ended up recruiting was none other than Phil Collins.
5. He is an underrated singer and songwriter
While he is widely known as Queen‘s energetic drummer, Roger also contributed significantly as a vocalist and songwriter. He has a powerful falsetto and his voice can be heard on tracks like “I’m In Love With My Car” and “Tenement Funster”.
As a songwriter, he penned or co-wrote some of the band’s biggest hits – “Radio Ga Ga,” “A Kind of Magic,” “Under Pressure,” and “Innuendo.”
6. Fronted a band and released six solo albums
In the late 1980s while Queen was on a break following their massive Magic Tour, Roger Taylor formed a side project called The Cross where he was the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist.
He channeled his unrealized creative energy into his new band with which he released three studio albums and achieved modest success in the UK and Germany. On top of that, Roger has also released six solo albums and one live LP, proving that his talents extend far beyond the drum kit.
7. His son is also a professional drummer
The musical talent in the Taylor family extends to the next generation with Roger‘s son Rufus choosing to follow in his father’s footsteps and becoming a drummer as well.
Rufus decided that the academic path is not for him and dedicated himself to mastering the drums. He has served as touring drummer for Queen + Adam Lambert and is also a full-time member of the rock band The Darkness.
8. A new species of damselflies was named after him
In 2013, Brazilian scientists discovered a new species of damselfly and named it Heteragrion rogertaylori in honor of Roger and the 40th anniversary of Queen‘s founding. The other members were also honored with a new Heteragrion genus named after them.
However, given his degree in biology and his legendary music career, Roger Taylor was the perfect namesake, as the tribute combined both his passions.
9. John Bonham, Mitch Mitchell & Keith Moon influenced him
Roger credits three drumming legends as major influences: John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Keith Moon of The Who.
These three drum gods of the 1960s and 1970s had the greatest influence on Taylor, helping him create his own distinctive drumming style by learning something from each of them.
10. Taylor was appointed an OBE in 2020
The British establishment formally recognized Roger Taylor‘s contributions to music in the 2020 New Year Honours list when he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
This prestigious honor acknowledged not just his work with Queen, but his broader impact on British culture across five decades as a musician, songwriter, and performer. It was a full-circle moment for someone who once met the Queen as a baby.
Final Thoughts
Roger Taylor‘s career defies simple categorization – he’s been a scientist, a market stall vendor, a bandleader, and of course, Queen‘s iconic drummer.
From his early academic pursuits to his songwriting, vocal performances, and solo projects, Roger has left a lasting imprint on rock music and will continue to inspire many generations to come with his talents and perseverance.