Tracks of My Years is a stalwart of the BBC Radio 2 mid-morning show. Well, since 1998, anyway, when it first appeared. Currently led by Vernon Kay, it features special guests each week and ten tracks that shaped their musical tastes or became part of their life’s soundtrack. Recently, it was the turn of Queen drummer Roger Taylor.
For an avid Queen fan like me, getting insight into a top classic rock star like Taylor is really interesting. Apart from his great song choices and why many were important to him, Taylor also shared plenty of snippets about his musical career. Especially his extraordinary initial reaction to Freddie Mercury’s singing voice.
Taylor was asked what he thought when he first heard Mercury sing. He doubted he’d ever be a singer and spoke of a voice “like a strangled sheep." Taylor, though, noted how wrong he was and how Mercury, through strength of mind and character, reinvented himself totally. Undoubtedly ending up as one of the big rock vocalists and frontmen.
10 tracks of Roger Taylor’s years
Taylor also speaks about his early days, from being 8 and playing in a skiffle band, the Bubbling Over Boys, through to meeting Brian May at college in London, and then Mercury and John Deacon being recruited. The story is loosely outlined in the Bohemian Rhapsody movie.
Taylor had a quip about that too. He loved the film and the brilliant actors, though he reckoned the clothes for his character were terrible. It’s these small mentions that add colour to his overall story.
The Tracks of My Years songs Taylor chose for the radio show help tell more of the man and his music.
Bill Haley and his Comets - "Rock Around the Clock”
Like many others, Taylor was taken by hearing rock songs like this on the radio. At around seven years old at the time he remembers the music changed everything. It was all so different from all the other songs being played.
Ike and Tina Turner - “River Deep - Mountain High”
Another newish sound at the time. And such a powerful voice from Tina Turner. Taylor recalls great admiration for her and her extraordinary talent.
The Kinks - “You Really Got Me”
Taylor talked about supporting the Kinks at an early gig playing with the Reaction in Torquay. The quarrelling Davies brothers struck a chord with him. The heavier sound of this song and its strong riff resonated well with him.
The Who - “My Generation”
If you were going to inspire a rock and roll drummer the Who and Keith Moon would be just right. Taylor saw the band play live early on and cites Moon as a huge influence. The band was loud and brash and the destroying of instruments at the end of gigs added to Taylor’s excitement.
Led Zeppelin - “Rock And Roll”
Talking of inspiring drummers, step up John Bonham, another strong influence for Taylor. Technically brilliant, his speed and power lifted the performance even higher. Taylor talks about him and Mercury being amazed to see a Led Zeppelin soundcheck before a gig.
David Bowie - “Space Oddity”
Taylor chose the David Bowie song that gave the singer his first big lift-off. But noted that it took a few more years for Bowie to really peak. The originality of this song stood out at the time. Taylor also chatted about recording with Bowie in New York to finish off "Under Pressure.” Reminding us all that Bowie chose the name, switching from “People On The Streets.”
Bob Dylan - “She Belongs To Me”
Another music icon, but one Taylor didn’t quite get at first. This was the song that sold Bob Dylan to him. Taylor cites Dylan as the greatest lyricist of the last century; that’s quite a plaudit.
The Beatles - “Tomorrow Never Knows”
Taylor believes the Beatles were transcendent from Rubber Soul and Revolver onwards. This song, with all its complexities, blew his mind as something completely different. Perhaps it opened his mind to the idea that anything is possible musically, ideal for Queen!
Radiohead - “Creep”
Coming more up to date, this song is rated by Taylor as one of the best of its time. He particularly liked the wonderful vocals of Thom Yorke. Also noting that there are touches of Sigur Ros in the song.
Sigur Ros - “Hoppipolla”
Which leads nicely to his final track. It’s a very accessible song from a band he plays a lot at home. But this one also has a very personal element to it. Taylor walked his daughter down the aisle to this song at her wedding. A very appropriate memory and choice.
Behind all the chat and stories, Taylor was also promoting his new solo album. Violence Insane In a Beautiful World came out on September 18 and offers a more emotional side to the singer through his music. There’s also a short six-date tour under way in the UK.
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