Dave Grohl breaks down on stage at Taylor Hawkins tribute concert

The Foo Fighters haven’t played live since Taylor Hawkins’ death in March – and their return to the stage was clearly tough for Dave Grohl.

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl appeared overcome with emotion as he and his bandmates headlined a tribute concert for the band’s late drummer Taylor Hawkins in London today.

The all-star tribute show took place at Wembley Stadium, with guests including The Pretenders, Liam Gallagher, Queen, Paul McCartney and Nile Rodgers all paying tribute to Hawkins.

But the main event was a return to the stage from Foo Fighters, performing live for the first time since Hawkins died suddenly at the age of 50 on March 25 this year.

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl breaks down.

Dave Grohl: “We’re all connected here today.”

Hawkins died in his hotel room in Bogotá, Colombia after complaining of chest pains, with ten substances later found in his system. The band’s remaining tour dates were cancelled – making today’s event their first show in almost six months.

And it was an emotional return to the spotlight, as a visibly upset Grohl struggled to finish the band’s signature hit Times Like These.

Dave Grohl breaks down mid way through Times Like These - I’m bawling my eyes out too #taylorhawkinstributepic.twitter.com/V7JkLc0ZtF

— Benjamin Wright (@benwrightjourno) September 3, 2022

A rotating roster of drummers from other bands helped out on the drums during Foo Fighters’ set – and one stint, by The Darkness drummer Rufus Tiger Taylor, had fans seeing double given his resemblance to a young Hawkins:

Still double taking every time I see Rufus Tiger Taylor tonight.
He’s doing a Sterling job on the drums - doing Taylor proud #taylorhawkinstributepic.twitter.com/gBdMsNpq9r

— Benjamin Wright (@benwrightjourno) September 3, 2022

And during another stint in the mammoth concert, Hawkins’ own teenage son Shane did his late father proud, filling in for him behind the drum kit:

Taylor Hawkins' 16-year-old son, Shane, does his father proud as he sits behind the kit for @FooFighters' performance of "My Hero."#FooFighters#TaylorHawkinsTributepic.twitter.com/PU705CpO2R

— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) September 3, 2022

Speaking to the crowd, Grohl paid tribute to his late bandmate, telling them he would’ve loved the all-star jam session in his honour.

“Taylor loved to jam and record with anybody and everybody. He loved to play music every day. And there aren’t too many people that he’s never jammed with,” he said, via the Guardian.

“So this collection of friends and family and musicians, this is all brought together by him and we’re all connected here today by that one guy.”

Hawkins on stage in March, just days before his death. Picture: AFP

Hawkins and wife Alison. Picture: Getty

Hawkins’ widow Alison released her first statement about her husband’s death in June, speaking of her “unimaginable grief” at his passing.

“My deepest thanks and admiration go out to the global Foo Fighters community and Taylor’s fans far and wide for the outpouring of love each and every one of you have shown our beloved Taylor,” she wrote via Instagram.

“Your kindness has been an invaluable comfort for my family and me during this time of unimaginable grief.”

Alison, has three children – Oliver, 16, Annabelle, 13 and Everleigh, 8 – with Hawkins.