In the aftermath of Freddie Mercury’s death in 1991, Taylor and Brian May have kept his legacy alive with the likes of further tours, and the 2018 movie Bohemian Rhapsody, which scoops multiple Oscars.
There was also a musical, We Will Rock You, which had involvement from Ben Elton and weaved the group’s hits into one storyline.
It was a massive success and will be returning for a new tour later this year – but Taylor wasn’t a fan.
Speaking a few years ago, the drummer said on multiple occasions that he wasn’t fully on board with the record-breaking production.
“The story is … slightly crass. But I think it has its good points,” he said, according to The Telegraph in 2013.
And in the same year, he was quoted as telling The Independent: “In our various, nefarious ways we’ve kept the music alive and there’s still a tremendous appetite for it.
“Things like [Ben Elton-penned musical] We Will Rock You have obviously helped, but it’s not my bag.
“Brian [May] really embraces musical theatre, but I truly don’t.”
Last month, the cast for the new We Will Rock You tour was announced – and tellingly it was May who commented on its return, not Taylor.
The former said: “This is a stunning state-of-the art new-look production of WWRY – but of course the original story is now more relevant than ever.
“We’re confident WWRY fans will love revisiting the world’s first true Rock Theatrical, and a whole new generation will now discover the VIBE!”
The enormous tour will start in Bromley next month, and continuing for almost a full year before concluding in Reading in July.
We Will Rock You opened at the Dominion Theatre in London back in 2002, and Taylor was on hand for the final performance in May 2014.
The Freddie Mercury statue that was outside the Dominion during its run was, according to Elton, taken by Taylor – so perhaps he grew fond of the show in the end after all.
“It’s in Roger Taylor’s garden, which I believe Brian May is not happy with,” Elton told the Radio Times in 2014.
“Freddie was their brother, they were a collective, so Roger or Brian should have it. I think Brian was away. So, Roger stole Freddie from Brian.”
Queen are currently on their own Rhapsody Tour across North America.