Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has passed away at the age of 50, the band said on March 25th — an announcement made shortly before the group was to play in Colombia.
“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,” the band said on Twitter. “Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginable difficult time.”
On March 25th the band was scheduled to perform in Bogotá for the Festival Estereo Picnic, followed by Lollapalooza Brasil on Sunday (March 27th), according to its website.
The New York Post is reporting that Taylor’s death maybe drug related.
“According to those close to him, the death could be related to the consumption of drugs,” the Metropolitan Police of Bogota said in a statement published by several news outlets in the South American nation and reported by the Mirror of London.
“[However] The cause of death has yet to be established,” police cautioned.
Hawkins had complained of chest pains to hotel staff, according to reports.
The Foo Fighters were formed in 1994 by Dave Grohl, who had been the drummer with Nirvana.
Three years later, Texas native Hawkins joined the band after previously being the drummer with the Alanis Morissette band.
News of his death prompted an outpouring of sorrow on social media from fans and fellow musicians.
“God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend,” Rage Against the Machine‘s Tom Morello wrote in a Twitter post.
Miley Cyrus, who is scheduled to perform in at the Lollapalooza Brasil today, said on Instagram she would dedicate her performance in São Paulo to Hawkins.
Ringo Starr tweeted: “God bless Taylor peace and love to all his family and the band peace and love.”
And singer Ozzy Osbourne spoke on Hawkins’ character, saying he was “was truly a great person and an amazing musician.” “My heart, my love and my condolences go out to his wife, his children, his family, his band and his fans. See you on the other side,” Osbourne wrote on Twitter.
6 Responses
Ozzy summed it up well. Shame to be so young still and to loose his life and what might be the height of his dazzling career. Good and fun drummer what a character. Feeling for his family and band mates loss. RIP Life is so short and fragile, I hope to never lose sight of this simple fact.
I’m stunned, so sad ..I just watched their very recent lollapalooza show in Bogota.
I know younger people can have heart issues and pass , he looked vital and full of energy behind the kit , but I’m thinking and I really hope I’m wrong but it’s looking like it’s a drug related overdose ,
My heart goes out to his family , and to dave and the band – this is truly awful~
This is really sad to me how people cant find happiness without doing drugs! At 50 years old! Just speechless!
Not a foo Fighter fan but my condolences to Family,Bandmates
And Fans. I never read a bad word about him good drummer.
Faulkner close to Hawking age and he got luck cause he was on stage and got quick attention . Some news reports that say Columbia police say his toxicology report came back with drugs in his system
Surprisingly quick and way too fast for a tic report to be done
The show I watched was in Argentina, sadly several substances were found in his system including opioids and anti depressants ~