The music world is still reeling after the tragic death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins over the weekend, aged just 50.
“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” the band wrote on social media. “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.”
Other rock stars posted emotional tributes to the late drummer. Ozzy Osbourne hailed Hawkins as “a great person and an amazing musician”, while KISS’ Paul Stanley said he was “speechless and gutted” by the news. Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello remembered the rocker’s “spirit and unstoppable rock power.”
Hawkins joined the Foo Fighters lineup in 1997, after previously performing as the touring drummer for Alanis Morissette. He made his debut in time for the release of the band’s album The Colour and the Shape, and remained with the band until his death.
As well as being the drummer, Hawkins also provided vocals, guitar, and piano in several Foo Fighters recordings. He sang lead vocals on ‘Cold Day in the Sun’ from In Your Honor, which was subsequently released as a single. He also sang lead vocals on ‘Sunday Rain’, taken from the 2017 album Concrete and Gold.
The Foo Fighters were in the middle of their South American tour at the time of Hawkins’ passing, with the band set to perform in Bogota, Colombia. The rest of the band’s lineup have since returned to Los Angeles though.
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Hawkins’ final show with the Foos came just last week. He performed with the band at Lollapalooza on March 20th, which you can stream in full below. It features the drummer taking over lead vocals for a belting performance of ‘Somebody to Love’ by Queen, one of Hawkins’ favourite songs to cover.
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Check out Taylor Hawkins’ final Foo Fighters show in full:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugu7bbtMJZQ
