Taylor Hawkins, best known for being the drummer of legendary rock band Foo Fighters, . We take a look back at his incredible career.
The band confirmed the news overnight, with tributes pouring in from all across the world of music. His cause of death remains unknown after being found unresponsive in a Colombian hotel, where the band were due to perform.
Hawkins joined the band back in 1997, after being recruited by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, who remains the frontman of the group. Their previous drummer, William Goldsmith, had fallen out with Grohl before his exit.
Before joining the band, he was the touring drummer for Sass Jordan and Alanis Morissette.
The late star, who was born Oliver Taylor Hawkins, born in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 17, 1972, before moving to Laguna Beach, California, where he grew up.
Hawkins had a brother, Jason, and a sister, Heather and graduated from Laguna Beach High School in 1990.
Hawkins accompanied Morisette on her Jagged Little Pill and Can’t Not tours. He appeared in the videos for You Oughta Know, All I Really Want, and You Learn.
A statement from the band sharing the news of his death read: ‘The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins.
‘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.’
He and Grohl spoke publicly of their strong bond, with the latter labelling Hawkins as his ‘best friend.’
Speaking to Los Angeles radio station 95.5 Klos, the frontman previously shared: ‘When it was time to look for a drummer, I wished that he would do it but I didn’t imagine he would leave Alanis Morissette because at the time she was the biggest artist in the world.
‘So when I called him and said, “Hey, I’m looking for a drummer,” he said, “You know I’m your guy” and I think it had more to do with our personal relationship than anything musical.
To be honest, it still does, our musical relationship, the foundation of that is our friendship, and that’s why when we jump on stage and play, we’re so connected because we’re like best friends, and it’s great.
He spoke about his musical influences in a chat with Louder Sound: ‘It was thanks to Rush that I got into Genesis. After listening to Neil, I bought the Seconds Out live album, which was released in 1977. It’s just amazing. Not only hearing Phil Collins playing the drums, but also singing.
‘He gets a really bad rap from some people for ‘daring’ to take over after Peter Gabriel quit, but you just hear the way he sounds here. The beauty of this album is that it’s got songs from …Trick Of The Tail, the first album Genesis did without Gabriel. Collins is an incredible drummer. Anyone who wants to be good on the drums should check him out – the man is a master.’
Full House star John Stamos, who was close friends with Hawkins, shared the last text he received from his late pal. Sharing: ‘This was Taylor Hawkins’ last text to me: “Ya We’ve yet to fully have a hang – Got a put that s**t together before we die” Wise words from my friend- put that s**t together! I’m so f****g sad. Another one gone too soon.’
Blink 182’s Travis Barker posted a heartbreaking tribute to Hawkins, who he had known for decades: ’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.’
In 2019, Hawkins joined BBC Radio 6’s Steve Lamacq for a special Drumming Masterclass, where Hawkins talked Lamacq through his career as a drummer, culminating in a hands-on lesson for the host – this will be repeated on BBC Radio 2 on Tuesday evening.
BBC entertainment correspondent Colin Paterson recalled Hawkins’ infectious enthusiasm, saying: ‘He loved being a rockstar. when you went to see Foo Fighters in concert, the enthusiasm he had…
‘Once every gig Taylor Hawkins and Dave Grohl would swap places and Hawkins would sing a song by his favourite band, Queen.’
Hawkins’ final performance with the Foo Fighters before his death was at the Lollapalooza Argentina festival on March 20, 2022.
