The Queen drummer hasn’t stepped out from behind the kit for a solo tour in over 20 years. But Roger Taylor was forced to stall his ongoing worldwide tour with Queen + Adam Lambert due to the obvious. So, the 72-year-old decided to use his downtime to write and record a new album and put together a band to take it out on the road. To say Taylor is driven might be an understatement, and his recent single releases and Queen tours have shown that he still has the pipes behind the mic and power behind the kit.
Outsider comes out on the first of the month and some of its songs will feature in a setlist that will include old solo material and, of course, Queen classics. By far the most prolific solo member of Queen, with half a dozen albums over the last 40 years, Taylor also penned some of the band’s greatest hits, including Radio GaGa, Heaven For Everyone and These Are The Days Of Our Lives. The show is described as “intimate”, while the assembled band is top quality, including long-time Queen sideman Spike Edney alongside great players from the live Queen show and Goldfrapp’s touring band. For Queen devotees, this is a must-make night of stories, songs and very special insights from the self-styled outsider.
St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Wed 6 Oct. Tickets: £35.50-£42.50. Info: 029 2087 8444 / here
words JOHN-PAUL DAVIES
