ROGER MEDDOWS-TAYLOR

As Drummer


Roger in early 1977 with a huge drum-kit.

Although not as famous or respected as Brian's guitar-playing or his own backing vocals, Roger's drumming was a key element of the Queen sound: just because you can't see the foundations of a house, it doesn't mean they don't exist!

Roger wasn't too technical, but he did develop a strong sense of rhythm (he was even more precise than Nicky Mason, and that's saying a lot), and learnt how to have a big deep sound both with large and small kits. The "in-your-face" drum-sound in Queen's early records owes a lot to production and engineering, but that'd be naught without an appropriate performance.

Taylor's trademark "tic" is opening the hi-hats a little everytime he hits the snare. Whether it was planned or a mere fluke, it was crucial for giving the band the dynamic nature they made their public enjoy so much.

Some of Roger's highlights in the Queen catalogue are:

- Great King Rat: Quite a versatile track - listening to just drums without anything else should be ace!

- The March of the Black Queen: Many changes of patterns and "tones", but he always managed to be himself.

- Stone Cold Crazy: Much harder than it seems.

- '39: To make such a complete and natural athmosphere with just bass-drum and a tambourine deserves a standing ovation without any doubt!

- Long Away: Brian arranged its drums in a completely different way to '39, but Roger was still perfect for the job.

- Sheer Heart Attack: Very hard punk-pattern to keep.

- Leaving Home Ain't Easy: Brian's a genius at writing drum-parts, and Roger's a genius at playing them. Great combination indeed. I dare all you drummers to try this one out, it's far from being 'textbook' drumming!

- Need Your Loving Tonight: Very simple but beautiful drum-part, executed with great precision.

- Flash's Theme: Again, simple drums, but marvellous way to play them.

- Staying Power: In the studio drums are mostly programmed (with ocassional overdubs on electronic pads), but live Roger did play his acoustic kit and made it rock from beginning to end. Again, this drum-part is quite difficult.

- Man on the Prowl: That groove is so precisely done. Just brill.

- Princes of the Universe: Behind a great guitar solo, there's a wonderful drummer.

- Was It All Worth It: Drums may not be as recognisable as the phenomenal vocals or the fantastic solo, but they're no-less impressive if you listen closely.

- All God's People: Impressive playing in the middle part.