Taylor Hawkins, drummer for the Foo Fighters, dead at 50

TAYLOR Hawkins, the longtime drummer of the Foo Fighters, has died at the age of 50, according to a statement from the band. No cause of death or further details were immediately announced.

“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” read the social media post. “His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.”

Hawkins, who previously toured as the drummer for Alanis Morissette, accompanying her when she performed in Malaysia back in 1995.

Hawkins joined the Foo Fighters in 1997 after their original drummer left and has been with them ever since. Frontman Dave Grohl is one of the most accomplished drummers in rock history, but Hawkins was able to bring his own style and energy to the band.

He was also a singer who frequently took the mic during the band’s concerts and on B-sides. He also cowrote many of the band’s songs.

Hawkins played a major role in the band’s eight studio albums, up to last year’s Grammy-nominated Medicine at Midnight, countless concerts, and many Grohl-led side-projects including the group’s recent mock horror film, Studio 666.

Foo Fighters were scheduled to perform at the Lollapalooza Festival in Brazil on Sunday and at the upcoming Grammy Awards, but their current plans have not been announced. The band has multiple tour dates scheduled through December in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Born Oliver Taylor Hawkins in Texas, in 1972, his family moved to California when he was four years old. After playing with several bands as a teen, he eventually joined Morissette on the tour supporting her massively successful 1995 album Jagged Little Pill. 

On his solo endeavors, Hawkins launched his side project as Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders in 2006, releasing three albums which saw him team up with Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor, Morisette, and Grohl, among others. Hawkins was also instrumental in introducing covers of hits from Queen and the Bee Gees throughout many of Foo Fighters' stadium-filled concerts in recent years.

Hawkins is survived by his wife, Alison, and three children.

Members of the rock and roll family, as well as the greater world of music reacted to the shocking news:

– The Vibes, March 26, 2022