QUEEN drummer Roger Taylor has recorded a number of solo projects in the last two decades, including material issued under the band handle THE CROSS. As a member of QUEEN Taylor had included a smattering of his own, sometimes offbeat compositions across their albums. With the 1981 'Fun In Space' record Taylor would be the first band member to make the solo break. He had though attempted an earlier launch, as far back as 1977 with the soon forgotten, but now highly collectable, 'I Wanna Testify' single. 'Fun In Space' fared well in the UK charts, just falling shy of the top twenty. Other extracurricular activities in 1982 had the man spotlighted as guest drummer for GARY NUMAN's 'Dance' album. He would also turn up as backing vocalist for BILLY SQUIER's 'Emotions In Motion' and the KANSAS 'Vinyl Confession' record.

Taylor gave it a further shot in 1984 with the earthy Mack produced 'Strange Frontier', this outing including cover versions of BOB DYLAN's 'Masters Of War' and BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN's 'Racing In The Street'. The song 'It's An Illusion' would be a co-write with STATUS QUO guitarist Rick Parfitt, who also put in a guest showing in the studio. Also showing support for these sessions would be QUEEN comrades FREDDIE MERCURY, on the song 'Killing Time', and bassist John Deacon on 'It's An Illusion'. The following year Taylor would be one of an army of all star drummers collected together for ROGER DALTREY's 'Under A Raging Moon'. Taylor also guested on the debut VIRGINIA WOLF record, his first major attempt at outside production. With this success in the studio a further desk duty ensued for noted Birmingham Pomp Rockers MAGNUM and their masterly 'Vigilante' opus. Rubbing shoulders with an all star charity collective, ROCK AID ARMENIA, Taylor would be the man delegated to provide drums for the single version of DEEP PURPLE's 'Smoke On The Water'.

The drummer would still pursue outside activities to the QUEEN agenda but switched to the band format labelled THE CROSS. In this guise Taylor cut three albums, 1988's 'Shove', the 1990 'Mad, Bad, And Dangerous To Know' and 1994's 'Blue Cross'. Although popular in mainland Europe THE CROSS gained little encouragement in the UK or US.

Reverting back to a solo artist the 1994 'Happiness' album saw Taylor working with guitarist Jason Falloon, former BERNIE TORMÉ and GTR bassist Phil Spalding and keyboard player Mike Crossley. Backing vocals came courtesy of Catherine Porter. The opening single 'Nazis 1994' stoked enough controversy for the BBC to ban it for fear of provoking race riots.

Taylor's fourth set, 'Electric Fire' including a rendition of JOHN LENNON's 'Working Class Hero', arrived in August of 1998.