Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has died
Written by ABR on 26/03/2022
Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has died, according to a statement from the band. He was 50 years old.
The band announced the news in a statement on social media on March 25. No cause of death was given.
“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of Taylor Hawkins,” it read.
“His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever. Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”
pic.twitter.com/ffPHhUKRT4
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) March 26, 2022
Born in Dallas, Texas on February 17, 1972, Taylor Hawkins played in the experimental band Sylvia before playing drums on Alanis Morissette’s ‘Jagged Little Pill’ and ‘Can’t Not’ tours. Hawkins officially joined the Foo Fighters in 1997, replacing their original drummer William Goldsmith.
“I’d met Dave [Grohl] at this [US radio station] K-Rock Christmas show because Foo Fighters were on their way up and Alanis Morissette was through the fucking stratosphere at that point,” Hawkins told NME in a 2021 cover story.
“Me and Dave just looked like long lost brothers in a weird way. We had a similar vibe and I don’t know why. I remember my friend playing with the Foo Fighters before I met Dave and watching them goof around backstage. He said to me, ‘That guy could be like your brother’.
“And sure enough, when we met, we just thought, ‘We’re brothers from another mother!’ It was instantaneous – so much so that Alanis Morrisette just said ‘What are you going to do when Dave asks you to be the drummer in the Foo Fighters?’”
According to a 2018 interview, Grohl asked him to join the band after Goldsmith decided to quit, and he became a permanent member during the recording of the band’s fourth studio album ‘One By One’.
Hawkins also kept busy with many side projects. He had led Taylor Hawkins & the Coattail Riders as drummer and vocalist since the 2000s and in 2014 formed the side project The Birds of Satan, which was itself a spin-off the cover band Chevy Metal.
Most recently, Hawkins teamed up with Jane’s Addiction’s Dave Navarro and Chris Chaney to form the trio NHC. Earlier this year, they released the EP ‘Intakes & Outtakes’.
The Foo Fighters are currently on tour in South America. Hawkins’ final show with the band was the headlining slot at Lollapalooza Argentina in Buenos Aires on March 22.
Hawkins died before Foo Fighters could perform at Festival Estero Picnic in Bogotá, Colombia on March 25. Lit candles were placed on the festival’s stage in his honour:
El main stage de FEP en estos momentos. pic.twitter.com/uoxTK8ymj1
— Pablo Acuña (@pabloacuna) March 26, 2022
Tributes have begun to flow in for Hawkins. Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello shared a photo of himself, Hawkins and Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell, writing: “God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend.”
God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend. pic.twitter.com/AkiRLF2L3e
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) March 26, 2022
Queen guitarist Brian May expressed his disbelief at Hawkins’ passing: “No. It cannot be. Heartbroken. Taylor, you were family to us. Our friend, our brother, our beloved child. Bless you. We will miss you so bad.”
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Ozzy Osbourne also shared a tribute for the “amazing musician”.
. @TaylorHawkins was truly a great person and an amazing musician. My heart, my love and my condolences go out to his wife, his children, his family, his band and his fans. See you on the other side – Ozzy
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) March 26, 2022
Read more tributes to Hawkins below.
God bless Taylor peace and love to all his family and the band peace and love.
pic.twitter.com/wn2izxn4Vd
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) March 26, 2022
In absolute shock & disbelief over the the passing of Taylor Hawkins. I’ve always had so much admiration for him. Amazing drummer & a gem of a guy who was always fun to be around. I’m absolutely gutted…my deepest condolences to his bandmates & family
#RIPTaylorHawkins pic.twitter.com/a3X0k2AqYW
— Mike Portnoy
(@MikePortnoy) March 26, 2022
Speechless and Gutted. Taylor was a great guy, a dad and a husband. My heart goes out to them, Dave and the band. What awful news. https://t.co/uQdl04etlp
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) March 26, 2022
Taylor Hawkins was a terrific drummer with a gorgeous disposition, seemed always to be having the time of his life. I didn’t know him well but I know music is lessened by his passing, made duller and smaller. Requiescat.
— steve albini (@electricalWSOP) March 26, 2022
In utter disbelief at the news of Taylor Hawkins. Our deepest condolences to his family, his bandmates, his team, his friends and everyone that was ever touched by the music he created with @foofighters @Alanis and so many others. This is so incredibly sad. pic.twitter.com/2AUeqpaN94
— Nickelback (@Nickelback) March 26, 2022
Rest In Peace Taylor Hawkins. Such a great person gone way too soon.
— nathan followill (@doctorfollowill) March 26, 2022
My heartfelt condolences go out to @foofighters and the family and friends of drummer #RIPTaylorHawkins.
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) March 26, 2022
Taylor Hawkins 1972-2022.
Our deepest sympathies to Taylor’s family, his fans, and of course his band. pic.twitter.com/qlEaQK0uui— The Smashing Pumpkins (@SmashingPumpkin) March 26, 2022
Shocked and saddened to hear @taylorhawkins has passed away today.!
. Our prayers and condolences go out to the Hawkins family, @foofighters friends and fans. Sad. https://t.co/Mgu2K4SJyL
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) March 26, 2022
Stunned & heartbroken. Taylor, you were one of a kind. One of the sweetest and most genuine people I’ve ever met. Thank you for your kindness, and the ferocity with which you played your drums. My love and condolences to @foofighters, Taylor’s family and loved ones.
— Jay Weinberg (@jayweinbergdrum) March 26, 2022
So tragic.
Rest in peace Taylor. @taylorhawkins pic.twitter.com/1rhGIQHmFZ
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) March 26, 2022
Taylor.
We are gutted to hear you are gone. So much love to you and your beautiful family.— Garbage (@garbage) March 26, 2022
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We’re devastated. Our thoughts are with Taylor’s family, friends and band mates. He was the heartbeat of one of our most favorite bands. It’s hard to imagine someone with his power and energy could be gone so soon. He’ll be sorely missed but never forgotten. https://t.co/efbYnf3ksb
— Jimmy Eat World (@jimmyeatworld) March 26, 2022
Rest In Peace Taylor Hawkins
— Biffy Clyro (@BiffyClyro) March 26, 2022
Our love, thoughts and support are with all who knew Taylor. Thank you for looking after me, thank you for being so kind and loving, thank you for being the most awesome drummer ever, thank you for bringing so much joy to the world, thank you for being you! With love, Nandi x pic.twitter.com/JAxo6N844a
— Nandi Bushell (@Nandi_Bushell) March 26, 2022
Thank you Taylor..
Thank you for always having the biggest warmest smile on your face and for lighting up every room with your infectious energy and good vibes.
(1/3) pic.twitter.com/G4SGcvHAqi
— Lars Ulrich (@larsulrich) March 26, 2022
Absolutely devastated to hear the sad news about Taylor Hawkins my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends RIP brother LG x
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) March 26, 2022
Just so, so sad to hear about the passing of Taylor Hawkins.
We have very happy memories of hanging out with him at Studio 606, bonding over our shared love of Queen and just having a laugh together.
He was super nice to us,and we will never forget that.
Lots of love
The Cribs pic.twitter.com/RYa0JRnhnP— The Cribs (@thecribs) March 26, 2022
This was Taylor Hawkins’ last text to me: “Ya We’ve yet to fully have a hang -Got a put that shit together before we die” Wise words from my friend- put that shit together! I’m so fucking sad. Another one gone too soon.
— John Stamos (@JohnStamos) March 26, 2022
This is a developing story.
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