It’s been nearly a month since Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins shockingly passed away at the age of 50 while the band was on tour in Colombia. An official cause of death hasn’t yet been released, but Colombia’s attorney general’s office released a preliminary toxicology report saying that medical examiners found evidence of 10 types of substances in Hawkins including opioids, benzodiazepines, marijuana and antidepressants. The initial outpouring of condolences was immense, and it has continued with numerous rockers sharing their feelings in a more in-depth manner when asked about the tragedy.
Rush’s Geddy Lee said: “Heartbreaking — just heartbreaking. That really broke my heart, his passing. [He was] so full of file. I remember when he presented the [Rock And Roll] Hall Of Fame award to us in 2013 and we came up on stage, he was literally jumping up and down like a two-year-old — he was jumping up and down, he was so happy — and that was him. He was so full of admiration and rock and roll joy juice. And it just seems wrong that he left us. “He just gave me a big hug (when we were honored at the Rock Hall). He just sent me an e-mail like a month ago — just checking in. That’s what he would do; he would just check in.”
Shinedown paid tribute to Hawkins by covering Foo Fighters’ “Wheels.” At the time of Hawkins’ death, Shinedown singer Zach Myers said: “If you’ve ever wondered about the impact one human could make on an entire community, look at your timeline today …. It’s filled with this man … who was one of the nicest, coolest and most talented people on this earth …. You’ll be sorely missed … Our love and thoughts and prayers go to the Hawkins family and the Foos.”
Former Van Halen bassist and Mammoth WVH frontman Wolfgang Van Halen said: “I only met [Taylor] once. I saw him live many times, but I met him… He came to a [Van Halen] show in San Diego on the ‘A Different Kind Of Truth’ tour in 2012. And he came backstage. And him, my Dad [legendary Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen] and I talked for — gosh — it had to be, like, 45 minutes when we had to leave in a half hour; we kind of stayed. It was really cool. I remember… It blew my mind. He told me that him and [Foo Fighters frontman] Dave Grohl had listened to the ‘A Different Kind Of Truth’ album, and he told me specifically they were geeking out on the song ‘China Town’ where I tap the intro with Pop. And they were, like, ‘That’s so awesome.’ And that blew my mind as a 21-year-old person — God, I’m 31 now — that Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins had sat and geeked out to me playing bass. That blew my mind. He was just such a cool, awesome guy. I’ve been heartbroken. It’s like a kick in the gut. [He was] way too young, man. I don’t even know what to say.” Mammoth WVH also performed Foo Fighters’ “My Hero” for the remainder of their tour following Hawkins’ passing.
Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale said: “We didn’t know [Taylor] that well. My little brother [Halestorm drummer Arejay Hale] hung out with him a couple of times. I never got the chance to. But we worked in similar circles. And it was just heartbreaking because we were actually supposed to have a gig with the Foo Fighters in the next couple of months, and so that’s not happening now. And it’s a shame. We’ve been working with the same producer, Nick Raskulinecz, that did a bunch of those Foos records with Taylor,” she continued. “And every time that — speaking of my little brother — every time Arejay would get off on a tear or something in the studio, he’d [say], ‘Dude, you’re acting just like Taylor. You guys gotta hang out.’ I wasn’t there when little bro and Taylor met, but I’m sure it was chaos in the room. I just heard from everybody that I know about how wonderful Taylor was. It’s such a shame, man. We’re losing so many of our beautiful souls in this community. I know it’s just a sign of the times and everyone’s getting up there [in age] and all that. But it’s just a shame.”
Former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora said: “The Foos are just a legendary band. It’s such a shame, obviously, because sometimes the perils of being in the rock and roll business can kill you. I was a lucky guy that I just didn’t like any of that crap that much. But Taylor was a great guy, an amazingly talented man, and they were one of the most successful bands in the world for a very long time. And we’d find ourselves on vacation together, just crossing paths and stuff like that. They were just a bunch of great guys. It’s gonna be a loss. You don’t even know what to say. It’s kind of beyond words, really, because he was such a great guy — and a talent.”
Gojira frontman Joseph Duplantier said: “Yeah, obviously, it affects everybody, the whole music community and all the fans. It’s not the first time that a beautiful soul, a fragile soul is sacrificed on the altar of entertainment and rock and roll. And we are all about going out on the road and giving everything for that, but there’s a price to pay. It’s really, really, really hard on the mental and the soul and the families. We leave kids behind. It’s hard on everybody. And I think that he’s simply another victim of this thing. It’s a bit more complicated than people can think. The life of a rock star is not always easy. It’s a lot of nights on buses and being away from home for a long time. So, yes, it touched all of us.”
Drummer Jason Bonham, the son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, said: “When we lost Taylor, it open[ed] a floodgate of memory for the day that I found out my father passed. And to [Taylor’s] family and to his friends and his children, my love and best wishes go to them with every ounce of me. He was a wonderful person. I got to hang with him on several occasions and Dave [Grohl, Foo Fighters frontman], and the whole band are just amazing guys.”
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