Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has died, the rock band introduced Friday. He was 50.
The band, based by lead singer Dave Grohl, mentioned in a tweet that they have been devastated by Hawkins’ premature dying.
“His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever,” the band mentioned within the assertion.
The explanation for dying was not launched within the band’s assertion. The rock group mentioned Hawkins was a beloved member of the band.
“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 band wrote.
The Foo Fighters have been scheduled to carry out in Bogota, Colombia, at the Festival Estereo Picnic on Friday, however the live performance was canceled.
Hawkins, born in Fort Worth, Texas, lived in California. Before the Foo Fighters he was with the Orange County band Sylvia, then joined Sass Jordan as their drummer. He additionally toured with Alanis Morissette as her drummer. He joined the Foo Fighters in 1997.
Hawkins additionally starred in Foo Fighters’ just lately launched horror-comedy movie, “Studio 666,” by which a demonic drive in a home the band is staying in seizes Grohl and makes him murderous.
The Foo Fighters have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame final 12 months.
The band’s hits embody “Best of You,” “My Hero,” “Learn to Fly” and “All My Life,” amongst others.
Grohl was drummer of the enduring and influential grunge-rock band Nirvana. He based the Foo Fighters after Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain died by suicide in 1994 and Nirvana broke up.
In an interview with music publication NME, Hawkins recalled assembly Grohl at a Christmas present for the primary time.
“Me and Dave just looked like long-lost brothers in a weird way. We had a similar vibe and I don’t know why,” Hawkins recalled within the within the 2021 cowl story.
“It was instantaneous — so much so that Alanis Morrisette just said ‘What are you going to do when Dave asks you to be the drummer in the Foo Fighters?’” he recalled.
Among the folks expressing their condolences and remembrances Friday was Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, who tweeted “I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power.”
Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath known as Hawkins “truly a great person and an amazing musician.”
Billy Idol tweeted, “So tragic. ? Rest in peace Taylor,” and Rick Springfield wrote on Twitter, “Rest in peace Taylor. Peace, love, and light to your family.”
Hawkins is survived by his spouse, Alison, and their three youngsters.
The Foo Fighters are among the many acts scheduled to carry out at the 2022 Grammy Awards on April 3.
(*50*)The band is nominated for a Grammy for greatest rock efficiency for “Making A Fire,” and members of the band, together with Hawkins, are nominated for a songwriters award for “Waiting On A War.” The band has additionally been nominated for greatest rock album for “Medicine At Midnight.”
Liz Calvario and The Associated Press contributed.