Wolf Van Halen Remembers Taylor Hawkins: 'Such A Ridiculously Kind Man'

The loss of Taylor Hawkins has shaken the rock industry.

Wolfgang Van Halen, the son of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, was the bassist for the rock band Van Halen from 2006 to 2020. He also performed with the heavy metal band Tremonti from 2012 to 2016.

The 31-year old musician paid tribute to the late Foo Fighters drummer on social media on Friday night.

In a thoughtful tribute he posted to his Twitter page, Van Halen wrote, “I’ll never forget meeting Taylor on tour in San Diego in 2012. He was such a ridiculously kind man. The dude just emanated cool.”

“Him, my pops and I talk for as long as we could until we had to leave,” he continued. “An incredible drummer and singer, he was a constant inspiration to me throughout my entire life. This is like a kick in the gut.”

“My most heartfelt condolences go out to his family. You’ll be sorely missed, Taylor,” he concluded. “Rest in peace.”

Many others hopped on the post to share their own condolences as well. Dan Thomas wrote, “Taylor Hawkins made life brighter during the darkest of days. His infectious joy, generous spirit, passion for music, & brilliant drumming will remain close to my heart. Sincerest condolences to his family & those whose life he touched. Rest in peace.”

“So sad and clearly one of nicest humans to every play on the big stage. Taylor is of the greatest rock drummers there will ever be,” another shared. “What a tragic loss this is and to my favorite band of the last 25 years The Foo Fighters. RIP Taylor Hawkins and May God Bless your family.”

“The Foo Fighters we’re always amazing in concert. They always looked like they we’re just having fun,” said another. “Condolences to Taylor’s family, friends and fans. Heartbreaking.”

No cause of death was issued in a statement by the band that was posted to Twitter.

“The Foo Fighters family Is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” the band wrote in a brief statement. “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 Foo Fighters had been scheduled to play at a festival in Bogota, Colombia, on Friday night. Police vehicles, an ambulance, and fans were seen outside of a hotel in northern Bogota, where Hawkins was believed to have been staying. His final concert was at the San Isidro in Argentina last Sunday.

Many in the industry took to Twitter to express their condolences for the loss of the Foo Fighters drummer, who had just appeared in the band's first-ever feature film, the horror-comedy Studio 666.

Ozzy Osbourne tweeted, “. @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”

FINNEAS tweeted, “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.”

Nickelback tweeted, “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.”

The Smashing Pumpkins tweeted, “Taylor Hawkins 1972-2022. Our deepest sympathies to Taylor’s family, his fans, and of course his band.”

Tom Morello tweeted, “God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend.”

Many fans also sent out positive thoughts to Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl. Grohl had been the drummer for Nirvana when Kurt Cobain passed away in 1994. Grohl and Hawkins were especially close. In his 2021 book, “The Storyteller,” Grohl called Hawkins his “brother from another mother, my best friend, a man for whom I would take a bullet.”