Net Worth Ranker
What Is Roger Meddows Taylor’s Net Worth?
Roger Meddows Taylor, the acclaimed English musician, singer, and songwriter, boasts a substantial net worth estimated at $250 million. This wealth has been accumulated through his successful career as the drummer for the iconic band Queen, his prolific songwriting contributions, and various other ventures.
Roger Taylor’s Musical Career & Songwriting Success
Taylor’s songwriting prowess is a significant component of his net worth. As a key member of Queen, he penned at least one song for each of their albums, often contributing vocals as well. Post-Freddie Mercury’s passing, Taylor continued to explore songwriting avenues, further adding to his financial success. He has either solely written or co-written three UK number-one hits: “These Are the Days of Our Lives,” “Innuendo,” and “Under Pressure.” Other notable hits that Taylor has been credited on include “Radio Ga Ga,” “A Kind of Magic,” “Heaven for Everyone,” “Breakthru,” and “The Invisible Man.” These songs not only contributed to Queen’s immense popularity but also generated significant royalties for Taylor over the years. Taylor’s songwriting and music career have been the backbone of his $250 million net worth.
Beyond his work with Queen, Roger Taylor has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, Robert Plant, Phil Collins, Elton John, Foo Fighters, and Bon Jovi. These collaborations have not only broadened his musical horizons but also augmented his income through royalties and performance fees.
Taylor’s talents extend to production, as he has produced albums for artists such as Jimmy Nail and Magnum. This production work has provided another stream of income, contributing to his overall net worth.
Known for his distinctive falsetto range, Taylor’s vocal abilities have added another dimension to Queen’s music. In addition to drumming, he is proficient on the keyboards, guitar, and bass, showcasing his versatility as a musician. During the 1980s, Taylor formed his own band called The Cross, further diversifying his musical endeavors and contributing to his financial portfolio. All of these added to the musician’s net worth.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Roger Meddows Taylor was born on July 26, 1949, in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England. His birth took place in a brand new maternity ward, and his pregnant mother had the opportunity to meet Princess Elizabeth (the future queen) during a tour of the facility. Roger spent his formative years in King’s Lynn before moving to Cornwall with his younger sister. At the age of seven, Taylor formed his first band with friends, initially playing the ukulele. By 15, he was a member of a semi-professional rock band. Initially focusing on the guitar, Taylor switched to drumming, recognizing his natural aptitude for the instrument. He taught himself to tune his drums, drawing inspiration from drummers like Keith Moon and Mitch Mitchell. Taylor’s early interest in music, along with the royalty he earned on Queen albums, has been fundamental to the musician’s growing net worth.
Despite his eventual success in music, Taylor initially pursued dentistry at the London Hospital Medical College but later switched to biology. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from East London Polytechnic. His academic pursuits demonstrate his diverse interests, though music ultimately became his primary focus and the foundation of his wealth.
Taylor’s formal music career began in 1968 with a band called Smile, which included future Queen lead guitarist Brian May. This band existed for approximately two years and released nine songs. In 1969, Taylor met Freddie Mercury while they were working at Kensington Market. Mercury, a fan of Smile, encouraged May and Taylor to form a new band, which became Queen, completed by bassist John Deacon. After the band was formed, and with the success of all of the band member’s work, Roger’s Taylor net worth began to grow exponentially.
Queen’s debut album was released in 1973 and received positive reviews. Their subsequent album, “Queen II,” provided their first hits. The band achieved significant success with songs like “Killer Queen,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Somebody to Love,” “We Will Rock You,” “We Are the Champions,” “Fat Bottomed Girls,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” and “Radio Ga Ga.” By 1988, Mercury’s health was declining due to HIV/AIDS, and he passed away in 1991. Following Mercury’s death, Queen continued with vocalists such as Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert. The success of Queen and their extensive discography has provided Roger Taylor with a very comfortable net worth.
Solo Career and Side Projects
Roger Taylor’s solo career began in 1977 with the release of his first single, “I Wanna Testify.” In 1981, he released his first solo album, “Fun in Space,” playing all instruments and performing all vocals. He released several more albums and founded a side project called The Cross, which disbanded in 1993. Taylor also performed at Queen’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. He continues to perform live, both in concerts and on television. Roger Taylor’s involvement with different aspects of the music industry has been instrumental in shaping his net worth.
Real Estate Holdings and Investments
In 2020, a 70-acre English countryside estate that Taylor once owned was listed for $6.1 million. Known as Milhangar House, this property is where Taylor wrote hits like “Under Pressure.” The estate features a recording studio within a 450-year-old water mill. The house, built in 1907, is located in Thursley, Surrey, near London. The property includes a tennis court, stables, a six-car garage, a heated swimming pool, and a hot tub. Taylor purchased the home in 1979 and lived there until 2003. The property, spanning 17,755 square feet, has seven bedrooms and an Asian-inspired “Bob Geldof Suite.” The recording studio overlooks a large pond. The properties owned by Taylor has greatly contributed to his overall net worth.
In January 1981, Roger Taylor purchased a home in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles for $352,000. The 4,300 square-foot home, located behind a gated driveway and tall hedges, was listed for sale in February 2024 for $6.2 million. These real estate investments demonstrate Taylor’s savvy financial decisions, which have played a role in the increase of his net worth.
