The
History of Roger Taylor 1966 - 1990 The
History of Roger Taylor 1966 - 1990
Roger Meddows Taylor was born on July 26th 1949 in Kings Lynn, Norfolk to parents Michael and Winnifield Taylor. Roger his, parents and younger sister moved to Truro, Cornwall, in 1957 and Roger started at the Truro Cathedral School - where he joined the choir. He also learnt to play ukulele. He moved on to Truro Public School in 1960 and learnt to play guitar. In 1961 he began to teach himself drums, he left school in 1967.
In 1966 Roger was a member in a group called The Reaction were he played drums. A recording session took place in an old cinema the group played four tracks for an EP. The tracks were: Acker Billk´s "Bona Serra", Rosco Gordon´s "Just A Little Bit", Shelley Smith´s "What´s On Your Mind" and James Browns song "I´ll Go Crazy". When the 4 tracks were completed the engineer approached the group to make an 45 for £20. The Reaction accepted the offer and the result was the coupling standard "In The Midnight Hour" and another James Brown song "I Feel Good (I Got You)".
He decided he wanted to be a dentist, and moved to London to attend London Hospital Medical College. He got bored with desntistry and turned to studying biology at North London Polytechnic. He finally left with a BSc in that subject. He joined Brian in Smile 1968.
In 1977 Roger decided to record a solo single, which he paid for out of his own pocket. "I Wanna Testify" was released in August.
In 1980 Roger started to work on his first solo album. In April 1981 Roger released his solo album, titled FUN IN SPACE.
In January 1983 Roger started to work on his second solo album and it was released in June 1984 titled STRANGE FROTIER.
In August 1987 Roger advertising for, audiotioned and chose musicians to form a new band, The Cross. He wanted a band he could write with and more importantly, tour during Queens increasingly lengthy "quiet" periods. In Janury 1988 The Cross rleased their first album called SHOVE IT. The Cross also embarked on their first European tour, playing club and university dates throughout the UK and clubs in Germany. On December 4th The Cross played a one off gig at Londons Hammersmith Palais, at a party held exclusively for fan club members. Special guests on stage were Brian and John.
The Cross released their second album on March 26th 1990 called MAD BAD AND DANGEROUS TO KNOW , a title taken from a qoute used to describe the eccentric Lord Byron! The Cross also undertook a short German tour. On December 7th The Cross played their only UK date for some time, at Londons Astoria Theatre, at yet another Queen Fan Club Party. Brian joined them on stage for the encore.