Roger Taylor interview with Harry Doherty - from 'Melody Maker', 11 October 1975

Very interesting – I can’t remember many such in-depth interviews on his drumming and his set up. Interesting that he mentions the Premier drums he’s using at the time; apart from a mimed appearance on either Top Of The Pops or TopPop, I thought he always used Ludwig until ‘85, when he switched to Yamaha for the Magic tour.

I also like the shout-out to Cozy Powell, and that he was able to recognize that he already had such a distinct style. I always thought his drumming was mixed prominently but never overpowered the other instruments, and I just love that beautiful deep, resonant, live sound he got between Queen II and News Of The World. His drumming from Jazz onward was still inventive, but the mix was more hit or miss. Post NOTW, I consider Made In Heaven, The Miracle rarities disc (where applicable of course), and, don’t laugh, The Cosmos Rocks to have the best drums mix.