It’s official. Foo Fighters‘ just lost their drummer, Taylor Hawkins, who has died at 50. No cause of death has yet been revealed. The band was on tour in South America and their last performance, which is not being poignantly shared on social media, was at Lollapalooza Argentina.
On Friday, they were to perform at the Festival Estéreo Picnic in Bogota, Colombia but a “medical emergency” canceled the band’s performance, supposed to headline the show. At the festival, a projected statement above a candle-lit stage read, “Due to a very serious medical situation, Foo Fighters will not be able to perform tonight and have canceled the remainder of their South American tour.” Soon after, Foo Fighters took to Instagram and Twitter to announce the tragic news.
Taylor Hawkins Was Just 50 And Tributes Pour
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Hawkins and Foo Fighters’ lead singer Dave Grohl knew each other from way back, and this is the second time Grohl has faced the agonizing loss of a bandmate. He was the drummer for the legendary band Nirvana and at the time, it was Kurt Cobain’s death that disintegrated the band. Grohl founded Foo Fighters in 1995 and by 1997, Hawkins was on board.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020, they are also scheduled to perform at the Grammy Awards on April 3.
The industry is already feeling the shock as tributes have come pouring in for Hawkins.
Actor Jake Busey wrote, “OMG!! So sorry guys. We are friends. We’d run into each other in and around our ‘hoods. He always says “dude- you, Josh homme and me are like a mashup of genetics”. Last time I saw him we were at PetCo. Never did get that Chevy Metal jam together. Damn what a cool dude. Talent.”
Journalist and TV host Katie Couric also could not believe the news.
I met Taylor Hawkins and his wife Alison just a couple of months ago at a restaurant in Malibu. They were both great—and rushing home to get back to their kids. This is such heartbreaking news. pic.twitter.com/CHbGYCdvex
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) March 26, 2022
Taylor Hawkins Remembered By The Music Legends
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Travis Barker seemed shattered at Hawkins death as he took to Instagram to post a moving eulogy, writing, “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 Foo’s 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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Ozzy Osbourne also posted a tribute on Twitter,
. @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
More tributes came in from Ringo Starr, Tom Morello, and The Smashing Pumpkins.
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
God bless Taylor peace and love to all his family and the band peace and love. 😎✌️🌟❤️🎶🌈☮️ pic.twitter.com/wn2izxn4Vd
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) March 26, 2022
Taylor Hawkins 1972-2022.
Our deepest sympathies to Taylor’s family, his fans, and of course his band. pic.twitter.com/qlEaQK0uui— The Smashing Pumpkins (@SmashingPumpkin) March 26, 2022
The Music Industry Feels Lost Without Taylor Hawkins
Switchfoot posted a tribute to Hawkins on their Instagram page.
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A message from Ryan Tedder of One Republic:
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GunsNRoses guitarist, Slash also tweeted:
Devastated by the loss of our friend #TaylorHawkins I’ve no words to express all the feelings I have about his passing. But my heart goes out to his family. & his band & friends. RIP Taylor ❤️ https://t.co/pkQLK5rLVF
— Slash (@Slash) March 26, 2022
Clearly, Taylor Hawkins will be missed, and the music industry is shook.