Duran Duran's Roger Taylor announces he is stepping down from the band

Published: 09:45 EST, 12 November 2026 | Updated: 09:55 EST, 12 November 2026 Duran Duran's Roger Taylor announced he is leaving the band.The musician, 66, revealed the news via the band's social media on Thursday, adding that he will be retiring from playing the drums, following a worsening of his recently diagnosed tinnitus.The condition causes sufferers to hear phantom noises often described as ringing, hissing, buzzing or whooshing sounds and affects about 7.6 million adults. Roger played on the band’s era-defining early records, then returned for the celebrated reunion of the original line-up in 2001 until the present day. He said that after careful consideration and medical advice, he has decided that protecting his hearing and long-term health must now come first.Speaking from his home in the U.S., Roger said: 'This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. '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.' Duran Duran's Roger Taylor announced he is stepping down from the band on Thursday upon doctors orders following a worsening of his recently diagnosed tinnitus Fellow band members Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor added: 'Roger is our brother. 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' Roger Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Andy Taylor, John Taylor and Simon Le Bon pictured in 1985He 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.'Fellow band members Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor added: 'Roger is our brother. 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.' What is tinnitus? The condition causes sufferers to hear phantom noises often described as ringing, hissing, buzzing or whooshing sounds and affects about 7.6 million adults.There are no approved tinnitus treatments and the condition can last for years – even decades. It is not a disease itself but rather a symptom often linked to hearing loss, loud noise exposure or ear blockages. Though most common in older adults, tinnitus cases are rising in young people.One study found that tinnitus among young adults has grown by more than a third over the past two decades, now affecting about 2.3 million of them.Most cases are linked to inner ear damage associated with hearing loss – experts believe that damage to sensory hair cells in the inner ear often triggers the brain to ‘fill in’ missing auditory signals, with experts blaming factors such as listening to music too loud through headphones.But some specialists believe that tinnitus could be triggered by certain vitamin deficiencies – particularly iron, folate and vitamin B12, three essential nutrients the body cannot make on its own. FOUR TYPES OF TINNITUS THAT SHOULD NEVER BE IGNOREDAudiologist Gladys Sanda says the following types of tinnitus could signal more serious health problems and require prompt medical attention. She advises seeing an ENT specialist if you experience the following:1. Tinnitus in one ear only, even if the sound seems harmless or mild. It could be a sign of a benign (non-cancerous) growth on the auditory nerve.2. Asymmetrical tinnitus, where the sound differs between each ear. This can also indicate an underlying issue such as a benign growth on the auditory nerve.3. Sudden hearing loss with tinnitus, which is considered a medical emergency. It’s not the tinnitus that needs urgent treatment - it’s the hearing loss.4. Pulsatile tinnitus - a thumping or pulsing in the ear that matches your heartbeat. This could suggest a blood vessel problem such as a thinning of the bone between a vein and the middle ear. If your tinnitus intensifies during physical activity, it’s crucial to seek medical advice.