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Roger Taylor reveals the sound that united David Bowie, Elton John, Lou Reed, Queen, and George Harrison
Queen developed their own recording style at Trident Studios, where they saw how major artists worked. Drummer Roger Taylor said the studio’s characteristic drum sound connected records by David Bowie, Elton John, Lou Reed and George Harrison, but Queen chose to move away from it.
Taylor described the sound as “dead” and “thudding”, like “hitting a pudding”. During work on *Queen II*, the band moved the drum kit to another part of the studio and changed the mix; Taylor said the experimentation can be heard on “Seven Seas of Rhye”. The article presents this choice as part of Queen’s effort to avoid sounding like other artists or being tied to their era.
In short
- Trident Studios had a recognisable drum sound across major 1970s records.
- Roger Taylor called it “dead” and “thudding”.
- Queen changed their recording approach while making *Queen II*.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Queen’s decision to move away from Trident’s familiar drum sound can be seen as a deliberate way to develop an individual identity. By experimenting with the kit’s position and the mix, the band sought a sound that better expressed its own ambitions and would be less tied to the musical fashions of the time.
The case against
A recognisable studio sound can also be a strength: it gives recordings consistency and can help a band make the most of a room and its equipment. The sound Taylor called “dead” and “thudding” connected records by several major artists, so Queen’s choice to leave it behind could be viewed as a rejection of a proven approach rather than a necessary step towards originality.
Explained simply
Trident Studios was a London recording studio where Queen made some of their early records. It was also used by established musicians including David Bowie, Elton John, Lou Reed and George Harrison, giving Queen a chance to observe different recording approaches.
A drum’s sound on a record depends partly on where it is played and how it is recorded and mixed. Queen experimented with those choices while making *Queen II*, including on the song “Seven Seas of Rhye”, as they developed a sound of their own.