On March 25, the Foo Fighters’ drummer Taylor Hawkins was reported dead in Bogotá, Colombia. The famous rock drummer was 50 years old. He complained of chest pains prior to the medics’ arrival, but the cause of his death is currently unknown to the public. However, a toxicology report indicated Hawkins was under the influence of several substances at or around the time of his death, including THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, and opioids.
The Foo Fighters announced Hawkins’ death an hour before they were to perform for their concert in Colombia. They are currently on their South American tour, and the band is due to tour North America in the summer. However, on March 29, the Foo Fighters announced that they will be canceling their remaining tour dates.
Hawkins suffered with substance use disorder for years leading up to his tragic death. In 2001, he overdosed on heroin.
Hawkins was born Oliver Taylor Hawkins in Fort Worth, Texas on Feb. 17, 1972. He spent most of his life in California. David Grohl, the lead singer and guitarist of the Foo Fighters, came to Hawkins, who at the time was touring with Alanis Morsette, asking him for suggestions for a new drummer for his band. Hawkins suggested himself, and was the drummer for the Foo Fighters since 1997.
Grohl created the Foo Fighters after the death of Nirvana’s lead singer and his best friend, Kurt Cobain. The Foo Fighters consist of lead singer Grohl, guitarists Pat Smear and Chris Shiflett, bassist Nate Mendel and keyboardist Rami Jaffee. Hawkins was their sixth member and drummer. The band has a discography of ten albums and have won 12 Grammys, including Best Rock Album multiple times. In 2021, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Their first song to reach the Billboard Hot One Hundred list was the single “Learn to Fly” off of their third album “There is Nothing Left to Lose.” Accompanying the song is a very entertaining music video that sees the band attempting to save a flight from falling after the crew and other passengers, played by the band members, were mistakenly poisoned by none other than Jack Black. The Foo Fighters’ music videos are something special, and it shows you their character while making the listener feel connected to these musicians.
The Foo Fighters recently released their own horror comedy movie called “Studio 666” that is playing in select theaters.
In addition to his work on drums, Hawkins provided backup vocals on a few Foo Fighters songs, as well as lead vocals on the band’s various covers of other popular songs. Hawkins also collaborated with drummer Roger Taylor from Queen and Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Hawkins formed his own group in 2006 called Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders. Aside from music, Hawkins made a cameo in the 2013 film “CBGB” portraying musician Iggy Pop.
He married his wife Allison in 2005 and together raised three children.
Hawkins is remembered by musicians everywhere. Liam Gallagher made a tribute to him in his most recent performance in London and Miley Cyrus paid tribute to him at her Lollapalooza performance.
