Happy Birthday Roger Meddows-Taylor!

26.07.1949

“I didn’t want to be a dentist. I had to be in a world-conquering band.”

"I’m known for the hugeness of my gong."

"There are stereotypes and it is quite amazing how often members of bands seem to follow those stereotypes. Singers are all vain. Guitarists are all vain but won’t admit it. Bass players are quiet people, and drummers are very exciting people to be with."

"He's the Peter Pan of rock!"

—Freddie Mercury-

“Roger was always into fast things - you know, fast cars, et cetera, et cetera… He’ll tell you it was written about someone else, you know. But we know the truth, don’t we, Rog?”

— Brian May (on "I'm In Love With My Car") -

"I’ve always been a fidget. I can never sit still for long. Well I’m not very good at resting, thats the trouble - I have to go and…if I’m not in the downstairs room writing I’m sort of fiddling with things or buying pictures or something."

"There wasn’t much sex and drugs… well, there wasn’t much drugs!"

Int: Where is the modesty gone?

R.T.: No, there isn’t any! There’s no modesty whatsoever!

"I picked up a guitar and found it very difficult and I sort of graduated to drums because I found them very easy - I suppose it was a case of natural aptitude. Mitch Mitchell was my role model at the time, and I still think listening to Mitch Mitchell, especially the early stuff with Hendrix, is just fantastic."

"There`s something rather nice about spending the evening hitting things."

"One night Roger was in a foul mood and he threw his entire bloody drumset across the stage. The thing only just missed me - I might have been killed. "

— Freddie Mercury -

“For every up, every little bit of happiness you get, you know, you must probably have a little trough – a little down and there is a balance and that’s the deal”

Queen songs written by Roger:

• "Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll" • "The Loser in the End" • "Tenement Funster" • "Stone Cold Crazy" (with J. Deacon, B. May and F. Mercury) • "I'm in Love with My Car" • "Drowse" • "Sheer Heart Attack" • "Fight From the Inside" • "Fun It" • "More of That Jazz" • "A Human Body" • "Rock It (Prime Jive) " • "Coming Soon" • "In the Space Capsule (The Love Theme) " (Flash Gordon) • "In the Death Cell (Love Theme Reprise) " (Flash Gordon) • "Escape From the Swamp" (Flash Gordon) • "Marriage of Dale and Ming (And Flash Approaching) " (with B. May) (Flash Gordon) • "Action This Day" • "Calling All Girls" • "Under Pressure" (with J. Deacon, B. May, F. Mercury and D. Bowie) • "Soul Brother" (with J. Deacon, B. May and F. Mercury) • "Radio Ga Ga" • "Machines (or Back to Humans) " (with B. May) • "Thank God It's Christmas" (with B. May) • "One Vision" (main songwriter) • "A Kind of Magic" • "Don't Lose Your Head" • "Heaven for Everyone • "The Invisible Man" • "Breakthru" (intro written by F.Mercury) • "Innuendo" (lyrics) • "Ride the Wild Wind" • "These Are the Days of Our Lives" • "Let Me Live" (with J. Deacon, B. May and F. Mercury)

The Cross:

• Shove It (1988) • Mad, Bad And Dangerous To Know (1989) • Blue Rock (1990)

Solo albums:

• Fun in Space (1981) • Strange Frontier (1984) • Happiness? (1994) • Electric Fire (1998) • The Unblinking Eye (Everything Is Broken) (2013 - ?)

Long live Mr.Roger Meddows-Taylor! Thank you for everything. For keeping the “Queen” flame burning; for your great talent and beautiful voice; for all the good music! The beat of your drum will be forever the beat of my heart. May your life be full of happiness!