Nile Rodgers pays tribute to Duran Duran's Roger Taylor after retirement announcement
Nile Rodgers has shared a heartfelt message to Duran Duran drummer Roger Taylor.
Nile Rodgers has wished Roger Taylor "love, happiness and a peaceful life" after his retirement.
The 74-year-old star, who is a longtime collaborator of Duran Duran, has paid tribute to the 66-year-old drummer after he announced his retirement due to worsening tinnitus.
In an Instagram post, Nile wrote: "I wish Roger Taylor love, happiness and a peaceful life. I love Duran Duran.
“They’re my longest musical relationship. This year we shared a historical tour with them and our relationship grew even stronger. We’ll always be connected for life.”
Nile also shared a video as he offered more thoughts on the bond he shares with Roger.
He said: "I’ve always loved Duran Duran from the first moment we met. We’ve shared many ups and downs together.
"We’ve gone through every emotional rollercoaster ride you can go through. Roger, I love you dearly. You have always been about the music and respect.
“What can I say, man? You are incredible and I hate to miss you a second time in this band. But I love you, and you’re wonderful. The consummate gentleman of rock ‘n’ roll. Peace.”
Roger joined Duran Duran in 1979, during the group's formative years, and became part of the classic line-up alongside Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Andy Taylor as they rose to global stardom in the early 1980s.
He played on the band's first three studio albums, Duran Duran, Rio and Seven and the Ragged Tiger, before leaving in 1986.
Roger - who is no relation to the other Taylors in the band - returned to the group in 2001 when the classic line-up reunited, going on to record and tour extensively with Duran Duran.
Since his return, he played on six further studio albums, including Astronaut, Red Carpet Massacre, All You Need Is Now, Paper Gods, Future Past and Danse Macabre.
Announcing his decision, Roger admitted it had been a difficult one.
He 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."
The musician explained that deciding when to bow out had proved difficult, but he felt he was leaving at a particularly successful period in the band's history.
He 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 and Roll Hall of Fame, and a return to the studio with Nile Rodgers."
