Duran Duran drummer quits band due to tinnitus
Duran Duran drummer Roger Taylor has announced his departure from the band due to worsening tinnitus. The 66-year-old musician stated that he must prioritize his long-term hearing health after a successful career with the group.
Why it matters
The announcement highlights the physical toll of long-term professional music performance and the increasing awareness of hearing health in the entertainment industry.
Image source, PA Image caption, Roger Taylor, pictured with bandmates Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Simon le Bon, joined the pop group in 1978
Duran Duran drummer Roger Taylor said he will leave the band due to his worsening tinnitus.
Taylor has been the chart-topping group's drummer since they formed in Birmingham in 1978, which he described as "the joy of my life", but said he had "reached the point where I must now listen to my body and my doctors".
The 66-year-old said his condition has been getting steadily worse, leading to him making one of his hardest decisions to quit the band.
The group, made up of Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes and guitarist John Taylor, said his decision came after "careful consideration and medical advice", which said that "protecting his hearing and long-term health must now come first".
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