The Death of Taylor Hawkins: One Year Later

Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins was discovered lifeless on March 25, 2022, in his resort room on the Four Seasons Hotel 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 give attention to mourning, whereas questions and rumors surrounding Hawkins ran rampant. How may an individual who appeared so wholesome and full of life immediately die? Thoughts instantly turned to medication. Hawkins had, in any case, suffered by way of bouts of habit, together with a near-fatal heroin overdose in 2001.

An preliminary toxicology report circulated shortly after his dying that advised an overdose was doubtless, however these findings had been by no means confirmed. Meanwhile, a separate report claimed Hawkins’ coronary heart “weighed double that of men his age,” which additionally may have contributed to his dying.

Watch a News Report on the Death of Taylor Hawkins

The finger-pointing continued from there. Rolling Stone later advised that Hawkins was exhausted by the fixed calls for of the Foo Fighters. Pearl Jam drummer and shut good friend Matt Cameron was quoted as saying: “He tried to keep up. He just did whatever it took to keep up, and in the end he couldn’t keep up.” Following the story’s publication, Cameron and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith walked again their feedback.

“My quotes were taken out of context and shaped into a narrative I had never intended,” Smith stated. “Taylor was a dear friend, and a next-level artist. I miss him. I have only the deepest love and respect for Taylor, Dave [Grohl] and the Foo Fighters’ families. I am truly sorry to have taken part in this interview, and I apologize that my participation may have caused harm to those for whom I have only 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 live shows.

“Millions mourned his untimely passing on March 25, with passionate and sincere tributes coming from fans as well as musicians Taylor idolized,” the group stated in an official assertion. “The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts will unite several of those artists, the Hawkins family and of course his Foo Fighters brothers in celebration of Taylor’s memory and his legacy as a global rock icon — his bandmates and his inspirations playing the songs that he fell in love with, and the ones he brought to life.”

Watch Foo Fighters Perform With Taylor Hawkins’ Son Shane on the London Tribute Concert

The first live performance happened on Sept. 3 at Wembley Stadium in London and featured a tremendous listing of performers, together with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush, Brian May 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. Many of the earlier performers appeared once more, together with newcomers together with Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Joan Jett, Miley Cyrus, 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 Show

As 2022 got here to a detailed, Foo Fighters confirmed what most followers already assumed: They would proceed with out their longtime drummer. “Foo Fighters were formed 27 years ago to represent the healing power of music and a continuation of life,” the band stated in a information launch. “And for the past 27 years our fans have built a worldwide community, a devoted support system that has helped us all get through the darkest of times together. A place to share our joy and our pain, our hopes and fears, and to join in a chorus of life together through music. Without Taylor, we never would have become the band that we were — and without Taylor, we know that we’re going to be a different band going forward.”

Since then, the band has been lively, but mum on precisely on how they plan to push forward. Foo Fighters have live shows scheduled all through 2023, together with headlining dates at such main festivals as Outside Lands, Boston Calling and Louder Than Life. Who might be behind the equipment for these gigs stays to be seen. Meanwhile, rumors regarding new music proceed to swirl.

In the 12 months since Hawkins’ dying, bandmates, mates, household, colleagues and followers have all proven resiliency within the face of tragedy. Regardless of what occurs transferring ahead, one factor stays sure: Hawkins’ presence will all the time be felt in Foo Fighters, regardless that he’s gone.