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Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins dead at 50

The drummer for iconic US rock group Foo Fighters, Taylor Hawkins, has died at the age of 50.

Bella Fowler and The Sun
4 min read
March 27, 2022 - 6:08AM
Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins dies aged 50

One of rock music’s greatest drummers, Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters, has died suddenly at the age of 50.

Foo Fighters released a brief social media statement late Friday night confirming the tragic news.

Local media reported the rocker and dad-of-three was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Bogota, Colombia where the band were due to play at a festival on Friday night.

The band’s Twitter post read: “The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins.

“His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.”

Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters has died at the age of 50. Picture: Getty Images.
Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters has died at the age of 50. Picture: Getty Images.
The band confirmed the tragic news in a statement on Friday night. Band members pictured above from left to right: Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, Dave Grohl, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee. Picture: Getty Images.
The band confirmed the tragic news in a statement on Friday night. Band members pictured above from left to right: Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, Dave Grohl, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee. Picture: Getty Images.

The statement continued: “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.”

Rock icons and fans of the band flocked to the replies to show their support.

One fan posted a snippet of a Dave Grohl interview in 1997 in which Grohl recalled asking Hawkins to join the band while he was drumming for Alanis Morissette.

“I didn’t imagine he would leave Alanis Morissette because at the time she was the biggest artist in the world. So when I called him and said, ‘Hey, I’m looking for a drummer.’ He said, ‘You know I’m your guy.’ And I think it had more to do with our personal relationship than anything musical. And to be honest, it still does. Our musical relationship, the foundation of that is our friendship, and that’s why when we jump on stage and play, we’re so connected because we’re like best friends, and it’s great.”

Dave Grohl, pictured here with the band in 1999, described Hawkins as his “best friend”. Picture: David Corio/Redferns.
Dave Grohl, pictured here with the band in 1999, described Hawkins as his “best friend”. Picture: David Corio/Redferns.

Foo Fighters did not immediately reveal a cause of death.

With the announcement, the Twitter account for Picnic Stereo Fest – a major musical event in Colombia which the band was due to perform at on Friday – confirmed that Foo Fighters would not take the stage.

A rep for the band told Rolling Stone that the band is currently on tour in South America.

Earlier this month, the band had announced they would be touring Australia later this year for the first time since 2018, with stadium shows in Perth on November 30, Melbourne on December 4, Brisbane on December 10 and Sydney on December 12.

The band has asked for privacy at this time.
The band has asked for privacy at this time.
Local media reported the drummer was found unresponsive in his Bogota hotel room. Picture: Getty Images.
Local media reported the drummer was found unresponsive in his Bogota hotel room. Picture: Getty Images.

Dave Grohl said at the time that he and his band have a strong affinity for Australia.

“From the first time Nirvana came down, since then it’s always been this magical refuge, a place we’ve always looked forward to coming,” he told media at the time of the announcement.

“We’ve never had a bad tour — we haven’t really had bad tours anywhere — but there’s something about Australia and Australians we feel akin to … maybe it’s the love of big guitars. A lot of places don’t have that same passion for rock music as Australians.

“Rock music is much more celebrated in Australia than America, we’ve got a great thing going on in America, but you come here and there’s so many great bands down here, and the gigs just go off.”

The band were also scheduled to perform at the Grammys on April 3.

TRIBUTES TO TAYLOR

Shortly after news of his death was made public, tributes to Taylor began to pour in on social media from fans and peers in the industry.

One Twitter user wrote: “RIP Taylor Hawkins.

“A beautiful man that brought joy to so many.”

Another wrote: “In absolute shock & disbelief over 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.”

A third fan tweeted: “Can’t even begin to describe the impact Taylor Hawkins drumming had to Foo. The Foo Fighters we know today wouldn’t be here without him.

“RIP to a legend. He’ll be missed.”

Fellow US rocker Tom Morello wrote: “God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend.”

Ozzy Osbourne added that he was a “truly great person”.

“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,” the Black Sabbath singer posted.

Lollapalooza also issued a statement, writing, “There are no words to describe what he meant to us, and to all music fans around the world.”

HIS LEGACY

In addition to being a longstanding member of the Foo Fighters, Taylor played the drums in Alanis Morissette’s band as she toured at the height of her career in the 90s.

Taylor appeared in an episode of HBO’s Music Box written about the Ironic songstress, recalling his time in her band.

It was in 1997, after the Foo Fighters lost their original drummer, William Goldsmith, that he joined the band.

While with the band, Taylor started a side project called Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders.

Hawkins was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Paul McCartney together with Foo Fighters last year.

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Earlier this year, the band released a horror comedy film called Studio 666. The spoof followed the story of the beloved group working on their tenth album together in a haunted house, with Dave Grohl becoming possessed by supernatural forces.

The musician is survived by his wife, Alison, and their three children: Oliver Shane, Annabelle and Everleigh.

- with The Sun

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrity-deaths/foo-fighters-drummer-taylor-hawkins-dead-at-50/news-story/cb694ec9e8a2e96f93b969b385e2c103