Taylor Hawkins | Foo Fighters Drummer | Obituary

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Obituary – Taylor Hawkins – Foo Fighters Drummer

Taylor Hawkins played the drums exactly how he lived his life – at full pelt and with vigour. The longhaired blond musician spent 25 years as the celebrated drummer for American rock band Foo Fighters.

  • Died: March 25, 2022
  • Details of death: Died in Bogota, Colombia at the age of 50. Cause of death is unknown at the time of writing this obituary.

 

An arms flailing showman, he combined passion with technical ability. Hawkins joined the band in 1997, three years after it was formed by former Nirvana star Dave Grohl, and his creativity helped elevate them to their first Grammy award win in 2000. Across nine albums, he enjoyed writing credits on transatlantic hits including All My Life, Best Of You, Learn To Fly and Run.

Off stage, he partied hard and spoke openly of his love of drugs but never let his wild side diminish his performances.

Hawkins also recorded for Brian May, Roger Taylor and guitarist Slash – he also formed supergroup

NHC with band members from Jane’s Addiction.

He got his break as the tour drummer for rock singer Sass Jordan and, later, played with Alanis Morissette on her 1995 breakthrough album Jagged Little

Pill, which sold more than 33 million copies worldwide.

Foo Fighters

Taylor Hawkins began playing drums at a young age and was inspired by the band Queen and their drummer Roger Taylor. In 1995, he became the tour drummer for Alanis Morissette’s band, supporting her “Jagged Little Pills” tour, and appearing in music videos for the album. Hawkins joined the Foo Fighters after William Goldsmith left the band during the recording of their 1997 release “The Colour and the Shape.” Foo Fighters leader Dave Grohl knew Hawkins and called him to see if he could recommend a new drummer for his band and Hawkins volunteered himself. The two became great friends.

Hawkins was a frenetic drummer which was a great fit for the Foo Fighters powerful rock sound. In addition to drums, he occasionally sang vocals including on the single “Cold Day in the Sun.” He had a side project titled Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, releasing three albums including “Get the Money” in 2019, featuring guest appearances by the Eagles Joe Walsh, Chrissie Hynde, and Nancy Wilson of Heart. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 with the Foo Fighters.

At the time of Hawkins deaths, the Foo Fighters were on tour and were scheduled to play a concert that night in Bogota, Columbia.

Hawkins is survived by his wife Alison and their three children, Oliver, Annabelle and Everleigh.

Date of birth: February 17th 1972

Date of Death: March 25th 2022 (aged 50 years)

 

 

 

 

Sources:

Express – https://www.express.co.uk/news/obituaries/1591639/Taylor-Hawkins-drummer-rock-Foo-Fighters-Obituary

Legacy.com – https://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/taylor-hawkins-1972-2022-foo-fighters-drummer/