Roger Taylor Delivers Drum Backbeat With Sam Ryder at Eurovision 2023
Queen’s legendary drummer, Roger Taylor, stepped into the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 broadcast carried by the official Eurovision channel on YouTube, joining British artist Sam Ryder on stage. Ryder, who had secured a strong showing in the previous year, earned a commendable second place in the competition as a solo performer in 2023.
Taylor joined the event as a surprise, prompted by his long friendship with Sam Ryder and his enduring ties to the rock band’s enduring legacy. In a special, unannounced capacity, he served as a “secret guest” behind the drums, adding a live percussion layer to Ryder’s performance. The moment was notable for its energy and the way it connected generations of fans who remember Queen from earlier eras and those who discovered Ryder in the modern music era.
Eurovision 2023 took place in Liverpool, England, a historic host city that welcomed contestants from across Europe and beyond. The competition crowned Loreen from Sweden as the winner with a powerful and memorable performance. This victory marked Loreen’s second triumph in the history of Eurovision, placing her among a very small group of artists who have achieved multiple wins in the contest. Finland’s entrant Käärijä finished in second place with a distinctive rap-driven set, followed by Israel’s Noa Kirel in third, who delivered a high-energy stage show that resonated with audiences around the world.
In the days following the event, some fans revisited discussions about Sweden’s win in relation to the competition’s long history and the celebrated ABBA era. Debates in fan communities often reflect the passion that Eurovision stirs, with discussions ranging from vocal performances and staging to historical milestones and national selections. The 2023 edition was remembered for its eclectic mix of acts, dynamic presentations, and the enduring appeal of live collaboration between established rock musicians and contemporary pop artists.
Overall, the participation of Roger Taylor as a surprise guest underscored Eurovision’s tradition of bringing together artists from different musical backgrounds for a shared moment on a global stage. The collaboration demonstrated how the contest continues to evolve while maintaining its roots in rock and pop music legacies, as fans look back on the performances that defined previous decades and forward to new sounds that keep the festival fresh and exciting for audiences in North America and Europe alike.