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'Another One Bites the Dust', 'Break Free', 'A Kind of Magic', 'Radio Gaga' & 'Cool Cat' are all drum machines (Lynndrum) on the records, but he played the regular drums live...
I have the same feeling, I think that he was really underrated both as drummer than composer, it's a shame, because he is a very good drummer, with an unique style, and a great composer.
Apart from his drumming Roger Taylor's other killer weapon is his voice. Such an important voice in the Queen harmonies. It's one thing to be a great drummer, but only a few can also add the icing on the cake with sweet vocals.
The man is not just a drummer. He is a musician in a bigger scale. He doesn't play to show off. And like the rest of Queen members. He plays what each song needs.
As with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Police and others, Queen is another example of a legendary band whose drummer was equally responsible for their respective band's iconic sound. Roger Taylor appeared to have no limits and his work speaks to his incredible range in styles. Oh, and let's not forget his virtuosity on 'Flash' from the Flash Gordon soundtrack.
I am a massive Queen fan and in my opinion Roger was the best drummer they could have. John and Roger are both incredibly underestimated. I'm to this day still amazed by his sound in the 80s. Live and on the record. Tough his grooves are relatively simple, no-one can sound like Roger Taylor, even if they try.
@@robsco1249 I don't think it was his playing as much as the songs themselves. In the 80s, Queen started making more synth-based songs that didn't use as much intricate drumming as the music they made in the 70s. They also dampened his drums a lot on Hot Space, from my understanding. So, it was likely the production that made it seem like his drumming wasn't as good.
Not only is he a powerful drummer, but he has a killer voice. He does all the falsetto/high register notes in their harmonies, and he also sings lead on a handful of their songs.
He did a lot of high harmonies, but not all of the high harmonies. Freddie also had a high falsetto. In the 80's for example it was only Freddie who did high falsetto.
So glad that Drumeo recognizes Roger's talent. I always loved the way he had roto-toms, over his floor-toms, on the lower end of the spectrum of his kit. When he would do longer fills, he would reach up and hit them, which always gave an unexpected & refreshing sound to the fill. He also employed this often at the end of songs, such as "Tie Your Mother Down" & "We Will Rock You (Fast Version)". He also used electronics (syndrums) to color the song pallette, in such songs as "Get Down Make Love" (live version). Thanks for this great presentation!
Yeah I play a hybrid sometimes with my digital skins and acoustic cymbals and I love using that big tom sound. I often end my chunkier fills with a quick 16th single stroke LRLR which I totally got from Roger.
ROGER TAYLOR IS THE BEST DRUMMER EVER. THIS GROUP WAS DESTINED TO BE TOGETHER TO FORM QUEEN. HOW BLESSED WE ARE TO HAVE SUCH PLEASURE ENTER OUR LIVES ❤🎉.
As a soprano in a high school choir, Roger Taylor is the singer I find myself trying imitate most. His high notes are so flawless sounding, in those early Queen concerts especially. I also adore his rock voice on songs like "Tenement Funster" and "I'm In Love With My Car," his distorted lead voice is still as amazing as it was almost 50 years ago. He's incredibly versatile, I only wish to be half as good of a singer as him.
@@creamydistortion I knew Roger played guitar, but I always questioned whether he was playing on that song because the guitar solo sounds a lot like the Red Special. I'm guessing he played the acoustic intro as well, which is one of my favorite acoustic riffs.
RollingStone Magazine, putting Brian May as one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all-time, wrote, “When the lead singer of your band is Freddie Mercury, you're lucky if anybody notices your guitar playing at all.” Same applies to Roger. Nevertheless, he didn’t only gotten as much attention, but also played a crucial role in defining the sound of Queen.
I learned that Roger Taylor is QUEEN'S secret weapon. Just as Michael Anthony was the secret weapon of van Halen. But Roger was on a whole other level. Each and every Queen member has had number one hits including Roger. Not all bands can make that claim.
Just as Deacon, it s always in the advantage of the whole song. Queen is unique because all four members were all composers, lyricists and singers. Well and they were also able to produce, arrange and engineer their own music with a highly critical point of view giving their music this high level quality standard.
Being a fan of Queen from pretty much the beginning, I was fortunate to see them live many times. I still think Queen II is not just a great Queen album, but one of the best albums ever. Roger plays a lot of great grooves and fills for sure, but for me he is the master of the well placed cymbal choke!
Even tho I m a big fan of queen, I never liked Roger's sound but I have to admit that you are right, I never heard someone playing with those choked cymbal that tastefully, perfect placement always
my first introduction to queen was 'Death on two legs' on A Night at the Opera album which im still to this day not sure how I aquired at vinyl when I was 8 I think. The drumming on that album is perfect and his vocals on 'Im in love with my car', just wow!
“The Oggre’s Battle”and “The March of the Black Queen” were my drumming inspiration before I started with drums. A legend, a brand/signature in himself.
Queen in my opinion is by far the best rock band to ever visit this earth. Nothing comes close to the musicality, richness, perfectionism and variety of Freddie and gang. I invite you to prove me wrong. Thank you for this upload.
A lot of people think the same thing. The hits get a lot of airplay but a lot of the album tracks people don’t know are brilliant. They were an album band. You just don’t really get that now.
@@jerrywoods4066 to me, only Pink Floyd has a similar track record as Queen. In comparison, the other had a much more limited production in terms of quality and variety.
I’m so excited you guys have done this. Roger is definitely an underrated drummer, he deserves way more recognition. Queen were famous for doing everything from metal to pop, from funk to opera, and in Roger they had the perfect drummer who could switch his style of playing up seamlessly and always with respect to the music. Queen have always been a bit of a divisive band and I wonder how much of that has meant Roger doesn’t get the kudos he deserves. No matter, Drumeo gets it! Thanks guys. ❤
you guys from drumeo shouldn‘t have used the weakest examples of their immense huge and versatile catalogue. delve deeper, please. you cannot pick „we will rock you“ to show roger taylor‘s drumming skills. are you joking? there is no other band, as far as i know, that covered nearly all genres of music in their own style. be it the pre-metal piece „stone cold crazy“ that‘s been used by metallica or „the millionaires waltz“ with an outstanding john deacon on bass, „the prophet‘s song“ or „loser in the end“, „fight from the inside“ and on and on. even soul with „back chat“ or the song „dancer“ where they‘ve crossed disco and rock perfectly. even the harder ones with „was it all worth it“ or maybe their hardest with „gimme the prize“ and you pick what? sorry, but no men. the band is up there with the likes of led zeppelin in my opinion and so are the members. when freddie mercury had his tribute concert, robert plant, roger daltrey, david bowie and other greats showed up and sang for queen‘s big loss. even liza minelli showed up and performed on the same stage for them like james hetfield of metallica what shows their range and influence. so please recognize that queen and their members are a different league than you show here.
Roger Taylor was so much more than the drummer of Queen. Try to imagine Queen without Roger's voice or without the songs he (co)wrote. Queen ended with Roger's song "These Are The Days Of Our Lives" where he showed that he was a great songwriter as well. Queen fan for life!! Thank you for this video.
Roger Taylor taught me how to see beyond the drums as an instrument and play with style, creativity and flair. He was my #1 teacher for years. He's in my DNA and even borrowed a few of his fills here and there. Roger is all class.
Always been a massive fan. One of the things I learned from Roger Taylor was showmanship - the stick twirls and jumping up from the stool to finish off a song. And that adding vocals is such a cool thing for a drummer.
Actually this applies to all of queen's members, for example Bryan May in Another one bites the dust, he just has a small part. I think that's their charm, they played what was right for each song and did not let their egos ruin it.
@@Franlalia They have entire songs where nobody plays anything, hahaha. 'You Take My Breath Away', for instance was all Freddie doing overdubs, nobody else showed up for that one...
Roger is an underrated drummer who has a sound all his own. He has great chops and fills, he's an amazing vocalist, an accomplished songwriter, and capable multi-instrumentalist. Roger also had the look, and could even rock a pair of tiger skin trousers. He was the complete rock n' roll package.
Watching Queen and especially Roger in late '79 was such a treat. Queued for 8hrs at The Alexandra Palace and boy was it worth it. Roger had his kettle drum solo going then. They were amazing.
Roger is my hero. My every hour hero. So honest, mindfull thinker. He doesn't sell his conscience for a handfull of money. Thank you for such a homage.
My hero !! The most "rock" member of Queen ! Hard hitter but always with taste, always serve the music, and what a singer !! My favorite rock moment of all bands and all times : "I'm in love with my car" in the Queen Rock Montreal live... MAJESTIC !! Roger Taylor is a legend ! 👑
My very first album that I listened was A Night At The Opera. I was with 12 years old and my father found the album at the street ! It’s true !!! The vinil was intact ! He gave me and I started to listen it everyday . So in 1985 Queen played at the Rock In Rio festival . I was with 13 years old and when I saw the Roger’s play at the TV I decided that I will play drums for my life. Well, I’m playing since then. I play as a professional since 1985 ! I can say that Queen was the very first band that I listened and Roger my very first influence as drummer (including drumkit style, sounds and visual). Oh !!! And I still have that A Night at Opera vinyl !!! ❤
I am not a drummer, but I literally wait for Roger's fills in songs like Fat-Bottomed Girls and It's Late. Roger is the hardest working member of any band and is an iconic drummer. I really enjoyed your presentation! Thank you.
I’ve always been impressed with Rogers ability to play for the song so meticulously while adding his own personal flare. Rock drumming doesn’t need to be simple, it needs to fit and complicated ideas can work if you take the time to work them out. Roger Taylor exemplifies this idea better than most (so did Queen in general). Young drummers take note of this video, you will go far if you heed the lessons presented.
i never noticed the almost 90s, skate punk feeling beat near the end of Innuendo Taylor is absolutely incredible.. Even if they aren't your cup of tea, it is hard to deny their magic. Other than the Beatles, I can't think of another band, other than Queen, of course, where all 4 members are such strong at both playingi and songwriting.
As a massive Queen and RMT fan, I truly enjoyed this video. Thanks for putting it together !!! The thing I learned from Roger is that you don’t always need to be technically proficient to be a good drummer, but need to have a solid groove, have taste, and be clever in your performance. In the end of the day, Roger got his inspiration from “old school” drummers like John Bonham (look at Roger’s early kits), Mitch Mitchell, and Ginger Baker.
Thank you to whomever wrote this about THE GENIUS OF ROGER TAYLOR, it's long overdue & wonderfully detailed as to WHY Rog is such an incredible musician. I have followed Queen since 1974 & still play every record they ever made almost every day. I find myself too impatient to listen to many bands I also love because I always am comparing them to Queen...always. Queen is my music, always was, always will be. Roger's drumming IS pure genius. He plays those drums in a unique way, always keeping the other musicians right where they should be. He is pure magic, let's face it... Just like there will never be another singer like Freddie. There will never ever be another Roger Meddows Taylor sound come out of drums...he sounds unique every time. Thanks so much for highlighting the extraordinary talent of Roger, he still sounds as great as he ever did, perhaps even more now. I loved alot of his solo albums as well with his unusual gritty voice. Roger is to this day simply genius...
Taylor's drum duet with May's guitar on Brighton Rock with its call and response feel is possibly my favorite drum part in any song. I think I'll go listen to it right now.
Bravo! So good to see Roger getting his due. I was a teen musician when Queen hit the scene, and heard Queen I, Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, NATO, etc. as the records hit the market, fresh. I think it's important for young people to try and understand where music was at that time. Queen would not have been Queen without Roger. He was the rhythmic extension of Freddie's vocals. Whatever the song was, Roger added the perfect drum (or effects) to make the tune fully resonate. John was locked into Roger at all times. What a band. For those that haven't listened to early Queen, check out, Fairy Feller's Master Stroke, Leroy Brown, Ogre Battle, and March of the Black Queen. I'd love to see a presentation on exactly how Roger tuned his drums for each album/tune.
Great comment Tom. And, just to add, you’ve probably captured my entire introduction to music, drums, music heroes (Roger Meddows Taylor), going back to around the time Queen started. I was that guy that went out on release day to buy the albums and run home to get a first listen. Right up to The Works……after which Queen became something else, and I lost interest in their new stuff after that. I was lucky enough to see Queen live 3 times back then, each time, ignoring the other 3 members on stage and just concentrating on Roger throughout. Roger Taylor is why I play drums. Thankyou Roger. 😎🥁
Thank you so much DRUMEO!!! You made my day!!! Roger Taylor is absolutely my first Drum Hero/mentor ever. I started play drums with his grooves on the Music by Queen, especially with the Epic Live album "Live Magic '86". Absolutely legend of a legend band like Queen! Thank you again for this amazing gift! 🙏🙏🙏
Many underestimate Rogers power in the vocal department. He didn’t just sing backup, he also took over lead on multiple parts of concerts when Freddies voice was tired.
Queen was a BAND, above anything else, and Roger served the band like no one else. The four members of Queen were strong individuals and accomplished musicians. However, no one like Roger did put their (big) egos aside to serve the band. Amazing singer, astonishing drummer, talented songwriter, multi instrumentalist and the one to be always one step ahead of the game in the music industry. He was a band by himself, as his solid solo career testifies. But he was a team player. And he loved and respected Queen and his fellow members beyond reason. He managed to show the legend he was by making the band greater and greater. Queen ows him a great deal, not only for the unique drum sound and vocal signature, but also for making do with only one or two songs in every album (naturally so when Freddie and Brian were writing mamooth masterpiecesand by the handful, but impossible to explain in records that contain crap such as Delilah or Staying Power ), and also for accepting to credit all songs (and royalties) to 'Queen' right in the moment where he was actually composing most of the best selling hits.That was the extent of his loyalty to the team. I'd like to see how many bands can claim to have someone like him in their line-up.
THANK YOU, Brandon and everyone, for doing this one. It's all-too-easy to underestimate a player like Roger, as his contributions were part of such a massive, almost overwhelmingly-complex canvas of colors and textures. He really approached his parts like an artist and a songwriter. The perfect drummer for a band like Queen.
@@667neighbourofthebeast my point was that it could be for people who don’t listen all that critically to - or have a fair degree of knowledge re: - what he’s actually doing. Some of it is rather subtle and could therefore be missed by the casual listener.
Say Queen in early 70's in LaCrosse ,Wisconsin. Supporting the Killer Queen album. Was blown away by the talent of each band member and their sound together. Roger was and always has been, comfortable in his drumming skin. He plays to support the song. That being said, his soloing boys are great. He gave Queen their Fat bottom we all love. Rock on!
Thank You for showing so many Roger Taylor beats with Queen and paying attention to his solo work. I think Roger is quite underrated drummer. Mostly when people think about his beats first that come to their minds is Queen’s classic We Will Rock You, but he’s got many way more complicated and interesting beats. His simple 4/4 beats are amazing, but if you’ll listen more to his drumming with Queen you’ll hear his ability to play versatile in various times and styles. Hope this video will help people to know more about his playing. Thanks for showing many of his underlooked beats. Thank you very much Drumeo for incredible job you’ve done!
Roger didn't play drums in Cool Cat and in the studio version of We Will Rock You. While in Cool Cat, Deacon used a drum machine, in We Will Rock You there were stomps and claps instead of drums.
Roger's playing is amazing. Interesting that he was very involved and up in the front of parts on the first demo and first three albums and then put himself back a bit but still stayed present in the songs making them sound unique. I was a big Queen fan growing up, always loved his role in the band. Thanks for doing this episode!
Brandon, your video was absolutely amazing. He inspired me play drums years ago and I’m really happy to see not just his drumming appreciated, but also his songwriting and solo work. You played it so well too. Thank you
I was lucky enough to see Queen a lot on tour in the Seventies; some people forget they were four equals within that band. Four excellent musicians/songwriters. Roger - as the others - were also always super kind and friendly to all their fans. He loved to chat about his own songs. Did you know that before both bands became famous, Peter Gabriel invited Roger to audition for Genesis? (Another band we saw a lot in the seventies) Can you imagine how that would have changed the course for both bands? Maybe Phil Collins would have joined Queen 😊
Roger Taylor is the greatest drummer. No one else can touch him. It’s not even a hill you can die on because no one can kill that irrefutable fact. He’s got it all.
I think there's an advantage to any band when two people are really good friends such as Roger and Freddie were, and it makes such a secure lock that everything goes so much more smoothly and comes out so much better!!!!!!!🖤
This was a wonderful acknowledgement of the living legend that is Roger Taylor. I’ve been a fan of Queen since almost the beginning and I would like to give a shout-out to a song from their first album, “Great King Rat”. A very complex and hard-driven Rock ń Roll tune with a drum roll on the outro that fades. A very rare way to end a song. Long Live Queen.
From the point of view of a listener that hardly knows anything about music professionally, Roger Taylor’s drumming sound comes to me as a very distinctive approach to the rhythm. Skills and techniques and whatever a top drummer has to offer aren’t the slightest of my concern, but I know when something sounds good. And Roger Taylor does fucking sound good. I can tell him amongst hundreds of drummers. He’s just that unique.
my favorite drummer. and a true legend who never gets the HUGE HUMANGOUS UNBELIEVEABLE AMOUNT of RESPECT he deserves. thanks guys ive been waiting for this one for a long time
Once more the lesson is that, beyond tecnique, speed and fills, less is more and really few drummers are able to be recognizable at first listen. Roger is one of them. Besides he sings, writes and plays other instruments, so he's more than simply a drummer.
One thing I learned very early on from Roger was that stylistic diversity is very important; I was so impressed when I heard his brush work on My Melancholy Baby…totally authentic, not a “rocker playing brushes”. Seaside Rendezvous, impeccable. And on the rock front, the famous drum fill in Dead On Time is a favorite….ok I’ll stop now before It’s tooooo late, too late. Rock It!
Roger is a major pioneer behind what I’ve always called the Roger Taylor backbeat (I’m sure other guys did it before him…he’s just super notable for it in my book). He does this thing where he opens his hats on the snare backbeat and it’s just a massive sound…it almost creates a bit of a gated reverb simulation. Eric Kretz from Stone Temple Pilots does it a lot, too…hearing Plush for the first few times back in the day, I remember thinking “wow cool, this guy does that Roger Taylor thing”. Super, SUPER underutilized among drummers given its insane effectiveness for big, driving grooves.
Queen was my first concert as a kid (for The Game Tour). Nobody ever topped them; not Prince, Rush, Marcus Miller, and anybody yet over my 53 years. LEGENDS!!!
Excellent video! Roger Taylor is criminally under-rated, in my opinion! When I listen to Queen, I almost always get goosebumps! My all-time favourite band! Thank-you for shedding some light on his solo recordings(which I must admit, I am not overly familiar with). The only negative comment that I can give is that the video is not long enough. Any chance for a part 2?
Without a doubt my sole inspiration to learn drums when I was about 10.. I learnt Greatest Flix I & II off by heart by age 12 and can still keep up.. and found out I have a natural affinity for rhymthm keeping.. I even used to fantasise that we bumped into each other and he'd agree to mentor me as his protégé.. 🙄🤦♂️😁... but I agree, he is very much a genius percussionist. Also...We miss you Freddie. 🙏
Ha! That was the FIRST thing I learned from watching him! 😂 Before I could even hit the drum correctly. It’s addictive, anything remotely stick-shaped I pick up, I can’t stop twirling it.
Watch Mick Tucker of Sweet, a UK band that were big in early 1970s, in fact you will hear the Queen sound of layered vocals, guitars heavy drums and stick twirling that I believe influenced the whole Queen sound. Oh and I am nearly as big a Queen fan as I am a fan of the Sweet and saw them both live in the 1970`s many times.
Rarely does Roger get the spotlight as a drummer but he totally deserves it. Like Ringo he's instantly recognisable and is one half of the powerhouse that drove Queen to live touring glory year after year! - Oh and by the way, sings like a banshee behind the kit!
75yrs and have been listening to Queen 45yrs. I like to dissect sounds on various instruments. I instantly realised that there was a uniqueness about Roger's drumming. Listening right now from Australia I know that Roger is the best drummer of all time. Thanks for documentary and thank you Roger . Let's all keep rocking and keep aging under the drumkit❤❤
The very first ever drummer I've listened to. I'm still amazed today by his energy and beefy sound. Cheers to Roger Taylor and Queen. I might have picked some things here and there listening to his playing.
Awesome video. Roger is the reason I picked up the drumsticks I 1998 and, whilst my influences expaned in the interim, I've always had a special place in my heart for his drumming.
It still bends my mind that the drummer with The Darkness is Roger Taylors son.. The first time I remember thinking "I want to do that" was hearing One Vision on the Live at Wembley recording. It was a straight forward, stadium rock beat but man, it hit hard. One thing I would add, the opening track on Sheer Heart Attack ("Brighton Rock") has an amazing bit where Roger is playing off against Brian Mays guitar part in much the same way he used to complement Freddies singing. I was hoping it would get a mention in this video because it's a great example of how his playing augmented Queens music. Other than that, great breakdown and I'd never picked up on that backbeat hihat bark thing before, might have to give it a try...
The first album I bought by Queen was News of the World, when I was 10 years old. 1977. Roger Taylor was my favourite member of Queen as soon as I got to "Fight from the Inside."
He play to the songs, waited for his moment and would unleash the Coolest fills, they felt like hooks to me...His cymbal accents where always tasteful and in the right places(of course Freddie would suggest where he wanted cymbal attack). And the mix of cymbal he used, he was not afraid to mix different cymbal brands. I became a Drummer because of him. And my sons middle name is Taylor because of Roger...:)
The Genius of Roger Taylor should be about him on stage, not on the records. A band, singer, drummer or whatever is as good as his live performance. And Roger is/was briliant at it. Queen was even better on a live show then they ever sounden on records.
I say that all of the time. My friends are sick of me on this point. Oh well, what can I say … I’m convinced that I was Mrs. Roger Taylor in a former life. But seriously, I personally think that, aside from his incredible singing voice, he’s one of most underrated musicians in rock history. Cheers, RT!
I'm pushing 60 (6 months to go!), & I've been a Queen Freak since I was 11. One thing I learned from Roger Taylor? I learned that you can be the coolest, most kick ass drummer and pull off being the sexiest damned drummer to ever live, while doing it!! He's STILL all that & a bag of chips!! LONG MAY HE REIGN!!
Roger was and is still the first drummer why i still play the drums today. Very musically kind of playing. No fancy stuff. And the sound of his drums are so good. Especially in on their Seventies records... Beautifull, like Bonham
