Roger became a punk rock fan as a teenager and joined ska revival pioneers the Beat in the late 1970s. He had appeared on stage toasting and singing with them many times before officially joining the band. His energetic style and Jamaican-influenced vocals, paired with Dave Wakeling, were crucial in distinguishing the band from the other second-wave ska bands. The Beat released three albums: the critically-acclaimed and seminal I Just Can't Stop It (1980), Wha'ppen? (1981) and Special Beat Service (1982).

After The Beat's 1983 break-up, he and Wakeling formed General Public with Mickey Billingham, Stoker of Dexy's Midnight Runners and Horace Panter of The Specials. They released the album All the Rage, aided by the single "Tenderness". In 1986 they released Hand to Mouth which was significantly less successful, and the band soon split up.

In the early 1990s, Roger joined members of The Specials to form the new band Special Beat, which released two live albums. In 1996 Roger sang back-up and toasting on the rerecorded version of "The Bed's Too Big Without You" on Sting's "Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" CD-Maxi single. The rock band Smash Mouth featured Roger on their song "You Are My Number One" in 2003.

Roger has recorded a new album with current members of The Beat, and it is currently being mixed by Adrian Sherwood.

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