Rock icons pay tribute to Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins after death, aged 50

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin wiped away tears as he performed just hours after learning Taylor Hawkins had died.

Rock icons and fans have paid tribute to Taylor Hawkins after the Foo Fighters announced late Friday night the legendary drummer had died, aged 50.

In a statement, the prolific US rock band said they were “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,” the band continued.

“Our hearts go out his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”

Chris Martin paid tribute to Hawkins during a show in Mexico overnight.

Tributes have started to pour in for Hawkins, who drummed in Alanis Morissettes’s band before joining the Foo Fighters in 1997.

Among those paying tribute to the 50-year-old was Coldplay frontman Chris Martin who wiped away tears while talking about the “beautiful, beautiful man” Hawkins was.

He was dedicating a version of the Foo Fighters’ hit Everglow to a live audience in Monterrey, Mexico.

Chris Martin dedicating Everglow to Taylor Hawkins and the Foo Fighters 🕊 - March 25 | via @gabasonica_pic.twitter.com/5pzl3uHakm

— Coldplaying (@coldplaying) March 26, 2022

Rock icons and fans have paid tribute to Taylor Hawkins, after the Foo Fighters announced late Friday night the drummer had died, aged 50. Picture: Mike Lawrie/Getty Images

“In utter disbelief at the news of Taylor Hawkins,” rock band Nickelback wrote on Twitter.

“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.”

Sharing a photo of himself and Hawkins alongside Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell, Rage Against the Machine frontman Tom Morello tweeted: “God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I love your spirit and your unstoppable power. Rest In Peace my friend.”

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

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

So tragic. 💔 Rest in peace Taylor. @taylorhawkinspic.twitter.com/1rhGIQHmFZ

— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) March 26, 2022

So very very sorry to hear of the passing of our friend Taylor Hawkins. Honestly no words. Big love brother Taylor. Thinking of his family and the guys in his band. Absolutely heartbreaking #taylorhawkins 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/4faHc3J7nM

— Todd Dammit Kerns (@todddammitkerns) March 26, 2022

“So very very sorry to hear of the passing of our friend Taylor Hawkins,” Canadian musician Todd “Dammit” Kerns wrote.

“Honestly no words. Big love brother Taylor. Thinking of his family and the guys in his band. Absolutely heartbreaking.”

Ozzy Osbourne described Hawkins as “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,” Osbourne said.

. @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

Taylor Hawkins might’ve been the only drummer alive who could support Dave Grohl and not make you wish Grohl was sitting behind the kit.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine (@sterlewine) March 26, 2022

So heartbroken to hear about Taylor Hawkins’ passing, what an incredible talent, who didn’t also need to be so kind and generous and cool but was all those things too anyway. The world was so lucky to have his gifts for the time that it did, Rest In Peace

— FINNEAS (@finneas) March 26, 2022

“So heartbroken to hear about Taylor Hawkins’ passing, what an incredible talent, who didn’t also need to be so kind and generous and cool but was all those things too anyway,” musician Finneas wrote.

“The world was so lucky to have his gifts for the time that it did, Rest In Peace.”

Foo Fighters’ fans flocked to the replies of their statement to pay tribute to Hawkins as well, with one writing: “Terrible news. So sorry.”

“We are devastated by this. Our hearts go out to his family & Foo brothers,” another tweeted.

“Is this real? What?” a third responded.

The band did not immediately reveal a cause of death.