More about: Foo FightersTaylor Hawkins

Taylor Hawkins, Foo Fighters drummer and rock'n'roll hero has died at the age of 50, the band announced this morning (26 March). Currently, the band are on tour in South America and have subsequently pulled out of all upcoming shows. The band’s statement read: “The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins”. Foo Fighters were due play in Bogotá that evening, with a candle-lit vigil filling the stage instead.

Hawkins spent his early career drumming with Alanis Morissette, touring with Jagged Little Pill and recording with Morissette on a number of occasions. In March 1997, following a call between Hawkins and Grohl, Taylor joined the Foo Fighters.

Speaking of his and Hawkins’ meeting, Grohl once said: “Wow, you’re either my twin or my spirit animal, or my best friend!". It is incredibly difficult to celebrate Taylor’s life without thinking of his bandmates, especially Dave Grohl and Pat Smear, who have experienced tragedy on this level in the past with the passing of Kurt Cobain in 1994.

Hawkins was a drummer who took on the impossible: he took the gig as Dave Grohl’s drummer. Not only that, but Taylor fucking smashed it—Hawkins’ style is crucial to the way that Foo Fighters play and record. An ongoing energetic duel between Hawkins and Grohl is pivotal to the band’s success; the way that Hawkins was able to match Grohl’s energy and counter it with some of the best rock drumming going is undeniably incredible. Of course, some of Hawkins best moments with the band were out from behind the kit. From every tribute online, one thing is clear: Hawkins was a great dude. Musicians and fans alike are paying tribute to Hawkins, with stories of the man’s charm, sense of fun and unstoppable energy it is clear that the music community is grieving today. 

Hawkins was undeniably influenced by some of rock’s behemoth drummers: Collins comes to mind, as does Neil Peart and of course John Bonham. Hawkins’ ultimate legacy is to join this list of influential megastars.

Thrashing out Foo Fighters tunes on a shoddy second hand kit was exactly what I did as a teenager—I had the long blonde hair to boot, too. To an upstart teenage drummer, Hawkins was the shit: long hair, aviators, cigarette—not to mention his best mate is Dave Grohl. Hawkins was a figure of aspiration to myself and countless other young musicians, on account of his style but also his sheer talent.

Taylor played like no other drummer I had seen, an immense fury of limbs and hair, which fit the Foo’s brand perfectly. I would often sit and listen to FF songs and wonder: how can Hawkins incorporate incredibly complex fills in spaces that they really should not fit? How does one man move his arms so fast? 

Taylor’s influence on modern music is already so apparent: take a look at Ben Thatcher of Royal Blood, or even John Beavis of IDLES and the influence that Hawkins had on a generation of young drummers is indisputable. Today we are all so thankful to Hawkins: the amazing back catalogue of Foo Fighters tune is propped up by one man’s drumming talent. Take Hawkins out of the equation and FF are nowhere near as interesting or fun to listen to. 

Thank you for the music, Taylor.

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More about: Foo FightersTaylor Hawkins