Hard-hitting Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has passed away aged 50. No cause of death was given. The band made the announcement via Instagram. “The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” the announcement 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.”
The Foo Fighters were on tour in South America at the time of the drummer’s death and were preparing to perform in Bogota, Colombia. Hawkins joined the band in 1997 after touring with Alanis Morissette for her hit album “Jagged Little Pill.” At the time, Foo Fighters founder and frontman Dave Grohl reached out to Hawkins for an opinion on a replacement drummer, and Grohl was surprised when Hawkins recommended himself saying he preferred to drum in a rock band and not for a solo act. Hawkins joined shortly after the Foo Fighters’ 1997 album, “The Colour and the Shape” and made his full-length debut with the band on 1999’s “Nothing Left to Lose,’ which earned the band its first of its 12 Grammy Awards and spawned the hit single “Learn To Fly.”
Hawkins also appeared on the Foo Fighters albums “One by One,” “In Your Honor,” “Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace,” “Wasting Light,” “Sonic Highways,” “Concrete and Gold,” “Medicine at Midnight” and numerous EPs, cover albums, cover recordings and live recordings. The Foo Fighters were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 and have sold millions of albums worldwide. The band had recently released a horror film, “Studio 666.”
Tributes to Hawkins began pouring in late Friday as news of his death spread. “In absolute shock & disbelief over the the passing of Taylor Hawkins,” wrote veteran drummer Mike Portnoy. “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”
Nickelback posted: “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.” Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello wrote: “God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend.”
KISS’ Paul Stanley posted: “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.”
