Foo Fighters Drummer Taylor Hawkins dies at 50

Taylor Hawkinsthe ferocious, playful drummer of fu fighters More than two decades ago, he passed away at the age of 50, according to a band statement.

“The Foo Fighters family has been devastated by the tragic and sudden loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” Read the message, which was posted on social media. “His musical spirit and infectious laugh will live on with us all forever.” Fu fighters currently On a tour in South America They were due to perform at the Estéreo Picnic Festival in Bogotá, Colombia, at the time of Hawkins’ death, a representative for the band said. rolling rock.

As news of Hawkins’ death spread, many musicians and celebrities have taken to social media to pay homage to the late drummer. “God bless you, Taylor Hawkins. I loved your unstoppable spirit and rock power,” wrote Rage Against the Machine Tom Morello, Share photo About himself and Hawkins along with Perry Farrell from Jane’s Addiction. “Rest in peace, my friend.” Former drummer at Dream Theater Mike PortneyAnd the Ozzy OsbourneAnd the Producer: Steve Albini And the The musician Phineas He also shared his greetings to Hawkins.

Hawkins was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and moved to Southern California with his family in his early childhood. He first rose to prominence as the touring drummer for Alanis Morissette during small coarse grain era. The second time I heard ‘You Oughta Know,’ I was like, ‘I’m in that band! ” Tell rolling rock last november. “I just learned.” Hawkins has also appeared in music videos for successful singles.you should know” And the “you are learning. “

After a conflict between studios led to the departure of original Foo Fighters drummer William Goldsmith during the recording sessions for the group’s sophomore album. color and shape – Forcing Dave Grohl to take over the drums – Hawkins officially joined the band in the spring of 1997.

Grohl later referred to the drummer as his “best friend and partner in crime” in his 2021 autobiography, The storyteller: tales of life and music. “During his time as drummer for Alanis Morissette, long before he became a foo fighter, we’d bump into each other backstage at festivals all over the world, and our chemistry was so obvious that Alanis herself once asked him, ‘What are you going to go for?'” What do you do when Dave asks you to be his drummer? ” “part Beavis and Butthead, part dumb and dumber, We were a very active fog of Parliament lights and drums banging wherever we went.”

Throughout his career with the Foo Fighters, Hawkins has occasionally taken on vocal duties, singing on the group’s 2005 single “cold day in the sunand “Sunday” from 2017 concrete and gold. Hawkins often sang cover songs with the group, both for the Foo Fighters B side and during live performances – including a powerful performance of Queen’s Somebody to Love During January 2021 A show for fully vaccinated fans in Los Angeles.

Foo Fighters bassist Nate Mendel said of Hawkins in the last band rolling rock story cover. “That was Taylor’s thing, like, ‘Why don’t we learn how to be better as a band and pay more attention to what we’re doing live?'” “

Outside of his work with the Foo Fighters, Hawkins has regularly collaborated with other musicians and groups – and even launched several of his own side projects. In 2006, he began his career with Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, and was reunited with former Morissette tour partner and Jane’s Addiction bassist Chris Chaney. Hawkins went on to release three albums under the banner of Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, tapping artists including Queen’s Brian May, Roger Taylor, Elliot Easton of the Cars, Jane Addiction’s Perry Farrell as well as Grohl for collaborations. Hawkins too Chevy metal front cover With friends Wiley Hodgden and Mick Murphy, and eventually released an album Under the title of birds of the devil in 2014.

Recently, Hawkins joined Chaney and Dave Navarro for NHC – a giant group formed during epidemic jam sessions at Hawkins’ home studio in Los Angeles. “NHC was the first time any of us had been in a judicious position where we were just throwing the ball,” Hawkins Tell rolling rock last year. “It’s like playing a game of catch, literally. A writing session or a recording session for us is playing baseball in the backyard.” The band’s debut album is tentatively scheduled to be released this year.

Hawkins is survived by his wife and three children.