Dear Mr. Murdoch

The Zoo Crew is spinning Dear Mr. Murdoch by Roger Taylor, a fiery track from his 1994 solo album Happiness?, and the Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this one! This song is a scathing critique of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, with Taylor unleashing sharp lyrics like “We’re drowning in nipples and bingo and sex crimes” to slam the sensationalism of Murdoch’s media empire, including tabloids like The Sun and News of the World. The song’s edge comes from Taylor’s frustration with the media’s focus on scandal and profit over truth, a sentiment that hit hard in the ‘90s and still resonates today. Fun fact: Taylor originally recorded a version with his side project band, The Cross, but it never saw the light of day, leaving the Happiness? version as the definitive cut. Queen France Fanclub

The track got a second life in 2011 when Taylor re-released it as a digital single, timed perfectly with the News of the World phone-hacking scandal that rocked Murdoch’s empire. Taylor made subtle updates to the song, sharpening its bite, and dropped it on YouTube and iTunes to amplify his message. As The Guardian noted, this wasn’t Taylor’s first jab at Murdoch—he’d previously funded Manchester United fans in 1998 to block Murdoch’s attempted takeover of the football club, showing his knack for blending music with activism. The Zoo Crew loves how Taylor’s social conscience shines through, making this song a rallying cry for anyone fed up with media overreach.

Roger Taylor, best known as Queen’s powerhouse drummer, kicked off his musical journey in the late 1960s. Born on July 26, 1949, in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England, Taylor was drawn to music early, starting with the ukulele before switching to drums as a teen. His unique, dynamic drumming style—marked by a crisp, driving sound—caught attention when he joined Queen in 1970, then called Smile, alongside Freddie Mercury and Brian May. Before Queen, Taylor studied dentistry at London Hospital Medical College but ditched it for music, playing in local bands like The Reaction. His big break came when Smile evolved into Queen, and their 1973 debut album set the stage for global stardom. Taylor’s songwriting also shone, penning hits like These Are the Days of Our Lives and Radio Ga Ga, proving he was more than just a drummer.

Taylor’s solo career, which birthed Dear Mr. Murdoch, began in 1981 with his album Fun in Space, letting him explore sounds outside Queen’s scope. By the time Happiness? dropped in 1994, recorded at his home studio in Surrey with co-producer Joshua J. Macrae, Taylor was fearless about tackling heavy topics like media corruption and war. Fans can dive deeper into his world on his official website, rogertaylorofficial.com, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. For Zoo Freaks wanting more, check out rogertaylor.info for a detailed bio and discography, or join the Roger Taylor Fans Facebook Group to connect with fellow enthusiasts sharing stories and rare finds.