Duran Duran drummer quits band due to tinnitus

The 66-year-old said his condition has been getting steadily worse, leading to him making one of his hardest decisions to quit the band. The group, made up of Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes and guitarist John Taylor, said his decision came after "careful consideration and medical advice", which said that "protecting his hearing and long-term health must now come first".

"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 & Roll Hall Of Fame, and a return to the studio with Nile Rodgers. Taylor's band members added that he had helped define the sound of the group, performing on 10 hit albums, their two number one singles - Is There Something I Should Know?

and The Reflex - and the band's 1985 James Bond theme A View To A Kill. "His drumming helped define the sound of Duran Duran from the very beginning and having him back with us since 2001 has been incredibly important to us all.