Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins was discovered lifeless on March 25, 2022, in his resort room on the 4 Seasons Lodge in Bogota, Colombia. A yr after his tragic passing, the band and their followers stay in a state of flux.
Hawkins’ tragic dying despatched shockwaves all through the world. Tributes poured in from fellow musicians, some through social media and others in live performance. It appeared that everybody had a narrative, a reminiscence or an anecdote which related them to the beloved drummer.
Foo Fighters initially canceled tour plans to deal with mourning, whereas questions and rumors surrounding Hawkins ran rampant. How might an individual who appeared so wholesome and lively all of the sudden die? Ideas instantly turned to medication. Hawkins had, in spite of everything, suffered by bouts of dependancy, together with a near-fatal heroin overdose in 2001.
An preliminary toxicology report circulated shortly after his dying that urged an overdose was seemingly, however these findings have been by no means confirmed. In the meantime, a separate report claimed Hawkins’ coronary heart “weighed double that of males his age,” which additionally might have contributed to his dying.
Watch a Information Report on the Demise of Taylor Hawkins
The finger-pointing continued from there. Rolling Stone later urged that Hawkins was exhausted by the fixed calls for of the Foo Fighters. Pearl Jam drummer and shut pal Matt Cameron was quoted as saying: “He tried to maintain up. He simply did no matter it took to maintain up, and ultimately he couldn’t sustain.” Following the story’s publication, Cameron and Pink Scorching Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith walked again their feedback.
“My quotes have been taken out of context and formed right into a narrative I had by no means meant,” Smith stated. “Taylor was an expensive pal, and a next-level artist. I miss him. I’ve solely the deepest love and respect for Taylor, Dave [Grohl] and the Foo Fighters’ households. I’m actually sorry to have taken half on this interview, and I apologize that my participation might have brought on hurt to these for whom I’ve solely the deepest respect and admiration.”
As denial, anger and frustration over Hawkins’ dying shifted into acceptance, Foo Fighters introduced a pair of star-studded tribute concert events.
“Tens of millions mourned his premature passing on March 25, with passionate and honest tributes coming from followers in addition to musicians Taylor idolized,” the group stated in an official assertion. “The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Live shows will unite a number of of these artists, the Hawkins household and naturally his Foo Fighters brothers in celebration of Taylor’s reminiscence and his legacy as a world rock icon — his bandmates and his inspirations enjoying the songs that he fell in love with, and those he delivered to life.”
Watch Foo Fighters Carry out With Taylor Hawkins’ Son Shane on the London Tribute Live performance
The primary live performance happened on Sept. 3 at Wembley Stadium in London and featured an incredible listing of performers, together with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush, Brian Might and Roger Taylor of Queen, AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, the Pretenders, Stewart Copeland of the Police, Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, James Gang, Wolfgang Van Halen and a shock look by Paul McCartney. This live performance additionally marked the primary time Foo Fighters had taken the stage following Hawkins’ dying, and so they delivered a heart-wrenching set.
A second tribute was held on Sept. 27 in Los Angeles. Most of the earlier performers appeared once more, together with newcomers together with Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Joan Jett, Miley Cyrus, Coronary heart’s Nancy Wilson, Alanis Morissette, Pink and Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler.
Watch Foo Fighters With Chad Smith Performing ‘Everlong’ on the Los Angeles Tribute Present
As 2022 got here to a detailed, Foo Fighters confirmed what most followers already assumed: They’d proceed with out their longtime drummer. “Foo Fighters have been shaped 27 years in the past to symbolize the therapeutic energy of music and a continuation of life,” the band stated in a information launch. “And for the previous 27 years our followers have constructed a worldwide neighborhood, a loyal assist system that has helped us all get by the darkest of instances collectively. A spot to share our pleasure and our ache, our hopes and fears, and to hitch in a refrain of life collectively by music. With out Taylor, we by no means would have turn out to be the band that we have been — and with out Taylor, we all know that we’ll be a distinct band going ahead.”
Since then, the band has been energetic, but mum on precisely on how they plan to push forward. Foo Fighters have concert events scheduled all through 2023, together with headlining dates at such main festivals as Exterior Lands, Boston Calling and Louder Than Life. Who might be behind the package for these gigs stays to be seen. In the meantime, rumors regarding new music proceed to swirl.
Within the 12 months since Hawkins’ dying, bandmates, mates, household, colleagues and followers have all proven resiliency within the face of tragedy. No matter what occurs shifting ahead, one factor stays sure: Hawkins’ presence will all the time be felt in Foo Fighters, though he’s gone.
Taylor Hawkins Los Angeles Tribute Present Pictures
Rock’s greatest stars pay tribute to the fallen Foo Fighters drummer.
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