Duran Duran Drummer Roger Taylor Retiring Due to ‘Worsening’ Tinnitus

"Playing drums in this band has been the joy of my life," drummer says in statement. "I’ve reached the point where I must now listen to my body and my doctors"

Longtime Duran Duran drummer Roger Taylor announced Thursday that he is retiring from the band due to “a worsening of his recently diagnosed tinnitus,” a hearing condition.

“This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Taylor 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.”

The Rock Hall-inducted Taylor continued, “Figuring out the timing of all of this has not been easy, but I’m going out on a real 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.”

Roger Taylor joined longtime bandmates Nick Rhodes and John Taylor (no relation) in Duran Duran in 1979, taking over for original drummer and singer Stephen Duffy. A year later, that trio was joined by singer Simon Le Bon and guitarist Andy Taylor (again, no relation) to form Duran Duran’s classic Rio lineup.

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After three albums together — 1981’s self-titled debut, 1982’s Rio, and 1983’s Seven and the Ragged Tiger — Roger Taylor left Duran Duran in 1986, but briefly rejoined the band in 1994 before ultimately reuniting with the group in 2001, and he remained their drummer through Thursday’s announcement of his retirement.

“Roger is our brother,” Le Bon, Rhodes, and John Taylor said in a joint statement Thursday. “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.”