Early Life
Taylor was born into a modest family and was brought up in a small suburban house in the Castle Bromwich area of Birmingham, his father worked in the car industry . He began drumming around the age of twelve, teaching himself by playing along with his favourite records. His first ambition was to be a goalkeeper for English Premier League club Aston Villa, and as a child he was taken to every home match by his father Hugh, but at 5' 9 never grew tall enough to realise his dream. He would eventually "play" at Villa Park but as Duran Duran's drummer for their 1983 charity concert there. Taylor cited drummers Paul Thompson of Roxy Music, Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones and Tony Thompson of Chic as his key musical influences growing up.
Before joining Duran Duran, he performed with several school (Park Hall School in Castle Bromwich, Warwickshire) and local club bands. After being inspired by the punk bands playing at Barbarellas club in Birmingham, he formed the New Wave/Punk outfit Scent Organs, who became regional finalists in the 'Melody Maker' young band of the year in 1978. After the band split in 1979, he joined Duran Duran and went on to become one of the world's most famous and influential drummers.
Read more about this topic: Roger Taylor (Duran Duran Drummer)
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