Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins dies, aged 50

26 March 2022, 06:54 | Updated: 26 March 2022, 18:18

Tributes have poured in for the drummer from across he world of music after the tragic news was confirmed by his Foo Fighters bandmates.

Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has died, aged 50, the band have confirmed.

Taking to social media on the late hours of 25 March (26 March UK time), Dave Grohl and the band announced the shocking and tragic news. with a statement, which read: "The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of Taylor Hawkins."

They added: "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."

The cause of death has not yet been announced.

The band were currently in Bogata, Columbia, for their huge world tour which was set to see them eventually head to the UK this year. Foos were due to perform at the Festival Estéreo Picnic in the capital on Friday night (25th March), with another appearance due for Lollapalooza Brazil on Sunday (27th March).

The drummer's final performance was at the Lollapalooza festival in Argentina on 20th March, where he sang the lead on a cover of Queen's Somebody to Love. The last song they played was an encore of Everlong.

Hawkins is survived by his wife Alison and their three children, Oliver, Annabelle and Everleigh.

Oliver Taylor Hawkins was born in Fort Worth, Texas on 17th February 1972 and grew up in Laguna Beach, California. He played in the experimental band Slyiva before getting his break playing drums on Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill and Can't Not tours. He later admitted: "I’d be delivering pizza if it wasn’t for her."

He officially joined the Foo Fighters in 1997, replacing the band's original drummer William Goldsmith. When Hawkins called Dave Grohl offering his services, he considered leaving Alanis Morissette's band to join Foo Fighters a demotion.

Grohl told Chris Moyles in 2018: "They’re playing stadiums all over the world, why the f**k would he wanna join our band - that was playing the Astoria on a Tuesday night?"

How Taylor Hawkins got the call to join Foo Fighters

Alongside Foo Fighters, the drummer also had a side project, Taylor Hawkins And The Coattail Riders, who released two albums; and he joined Roger Taylor of Queen and Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers for a supergroup at the Live Earth gig in 2007.

Hawkins worked with artists such as Brian May, Slash and Coheed And Cambria, while finding time to form the covers bands Chevy Metal and Birds Of Satan. The musician played the role of Iggy Pop in the biopic CBGB in 2013.

Tributes have poured in from across the world of music.

Blink-182's Travis Barker said in an emotional post: "I don’t have the words. Sad to write this or to never see you again. I’ll never forget Laguna Beach days when I was a trash man playing in a punk rock band and you were playing with Alanis. You’d come watch me play in dive bars and be like, 'kid you’re a star'. And I thought you were crazy but you gave me so much hope and determination.

"Years later we toured together with Blink and Foos in Australia and I have the best memories of smoking cigarettes in the restroom of flights we were on together and watching your set every night. To say I’ll miss you my friend isn’t enough. Till the next time we talk drums and smoke in the boys room … Rest In Peace".

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Axl Rose of Guns N'Roses tweeted: "He was a really great guy, drummer n’ family man. Was always great to see him! Was looking forward to seeing him n’ everyone in Daytona.Truly saddened."

Gang Of Youths told Radio X: "There are no words. We were lucky enough to be taken out on the road with Foos a few years back. Taylor was a magnificently warm and welcoming human being, as well as a total icon on the kit. Our love and thoughts to his family and the wider Foo Fighters family."

Sharing an image of himself and the drummer with Jane's Addiction's Perry Farrell, Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello wrote: "God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend."

Queen guitarist Brian May shared stories from news various outlets on Twitter, writing: "No. It cannot be …. Bri".

He added on Instagram: "Heartbroken. Taylor, you were family to us. Our friend, our brother, our beloved child. Bless you. We will miss you so bad. Bri".

Queen drummer Roger Taylor said: "Like losing a younger favourite brother. He was a kind brilliant man and an inspirational mentor to my son Rufus and the best friend one could ever have. Devastated. Rog".

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Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich tweeted: "Thank you for always having the biggest warmest smile on your face and for lighting up every room with your infectious energy and good vibes. Your phone call a week ago touched and inspired me and I will always be appreciative for you championing our community as in your parting words…. “Drummers stick together!” Damn right brother. Except now the community is lesser without you."

The Offspring said: "Shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of one of rock’s greatest drummers. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Taylor Hawkins tonight."

A visibly shocked Coldplay, who were on tour at the time of hearing the news, dedicated their track Everglow to the late rocker.

The Beatles legend Ringo Starr wrote: "God bless Taylor peace and love to all his family and the band peace and love."

Liam Gallagher said: "Absolutely devastated to hear the sad news about Taylor Hawkins my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends RIP brother LG x".

Black Sabbath legend Ozzy Osbourne wrote: "@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".

Questlove wrote: "I’m so sad about this man. coolest dude ever. god bless & comfort his family, his bandmates, his friends & all his loved ones.

"Taylor Hawkins.

"Rest In Beats."

Smashing Pumpkins added: "Taylor Hawkins 1972-2022. Our deepest sympathies to Taylor’s family, his fans, and of course his band."

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