RIP Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters: See Tributes from Elton John, Brian Wilson, Liam Gallagher, Miley Cyrus, Incubus, Wolf Van Halen & more

Adrian Garroon March 28, 2022Categories:Latest News
Rock Cellar Magazine

Friday night’s devastating news that Taylor Hawkins was found dead in his hotel room in Colombia at age 50 was met with unimaginable shock and grief from all corners of the music world.

Not only was Hawkins a believed member of Foo Fighters, playing alongside his good friend/band leader Dave Grohl since joining the band in 1997, but he was a revered figure across genres, a lively spirit with a friendliness and laid-back vibe that set him apart from his peers.

 

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His passing was announced by Foo Fighters in a social media post late on March 25, and even days later it’s still no easier to comprehend. Local authorities in Colombia confirmed that Hawkins had traces of ten different drugs in his system at the time his body was found:

The report from the attorney general of Colombia came in a tweet which said that the 50-year-old musician had antidepressants, benzodiazepines and opioids in his system, along with THC. It did not further specify the drugs that had been found, and the attorney general’s statement avoided using the word “overdose.”

The time since the announcement sparked an outpouring of love, sadness and condolences from some of Hawkins’ peers in rock and roll — but also outside of it, too, exemplary of his stature as a friend to all who came into contact with him … in addition to his status as one of the premier drummers of the past few decades.

Stevie Nicks penned a heartbreaking tribute in a lengthy social media post:

On stage at Royal Albert Hall in London, Liam Gallagher dedicated his final song, the Oasis classic “Live Forever” to Hawkins, a big photo of the drummer illuminating the stage:

In concert in Iowa on Saturday evening, Sir Elton John dedicated his performance of “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” to Hawkins, as transcribed by Blabbermouth:

“I got up this morning to see that Taylor Hawkins from the Foo Fighters had passed away, and I was so shocked because he played on my ‘Lockdown Sessions’ album and he was one of the nicest people you could ever meet and one of the greatest drummers and a true musician who loved all sorts of music and loved life. And it seems so sad that at 50 years of age we’ve lost someone who had that much passion. And it makes me so downhearted for his family — his three children and his wife and his other relatives — and, of course, the Foo Fighters who’ve lost a dearest loved one that can never, ever be replaced. But his music will live on. But I can tell you he was a great, great one. So this song is for him and his family and his wife and his children.”

Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction issued a video eulogizing his dear friend:

Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson shared condolences:

John Mayer posted on Instagram:

 

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Miley Cyrus, playing at Lollapalooza Brasil — the same festival Hawkins and the Foo Fighters were scheduled to perform this weekend — dedicated “Angel Like You” to Hawkins.

Consequence notes that Cyrus, whose plane was struck by lightning earlier in the week in a frightening experience, said during her performance that Hawkins was the first person she called after the emergency landing:

“He was already at the festival and that would have been a time that I would have gotten to see my friend and I didn’t,” Cyrus said, fighting back tears. “I would have done anything to hang out with him one more time.”

“I know that any time that I get onstage and any time that I get to play with my band — which if anything ever f**king happened to any one of them it would fucking kill me,” Cyrus continued. “So I couldn’t imagine how the Foo Fighters felt today.”

On stage in Boston, Wolfgang Van Halen and Mammoth WVH covered “My Hero” in tribute to Hawkins:

Elsewhere, hardcore/screamo band Underoath also covered “My Hero”:

On Sunday evening, Alt-J dedicated its encore at Crypto.com Center in Los Angeles to Hawkins, with “My Hero” playing throughout the venue once the house lights came up:

Additional social media tributes poured in — and will continue to come in in the days and months ahead.

Mick Jagger:

The Who paid homage:

As did Ringo Starr:

Joe Walsh:

David Letterman:

Slash dedicated the song “Starlight” to Hawkins, “a really close friend of ours”:

The Beatles:

Peter Frampton:

John Densmore of The Doors:

Pearl Jam:

In Las Vegas, Incubus ended its set with a tribute to Hawkins as well — followed by a social media dedication:

 

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The Instagram page for Rush — whom Hawkins and Grohl inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — shared some incredible photos in loving memory, including this one in particular of Neil Peart and Taylor side by side:

Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready:

Metallica’s Lars Ulrich:

Heart’s Ann Wilson:

The Go-Go’s:

Gene Simmons:

The Tom Petty estate:

Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons:

Nickelback:

And countless more, each one speaking to the amazing musical spirit and energy that Taylor Hawkins provided to the world.

May he rest in peace, and continued wishes of healing and condolence to the extended Foo Fighters family.

alt-jbeach boysBeatlesBrian Wilsondavid lettermanFoo Fightersimagine dragonsincubusjoe walshjohn mayerLiam Gallaghermammoth wvhMick Jaggermiley cyruspearl jamrest in peaceRingo StarrSlashsocial mediataylor hawkinsThe Whounderoathwolfgang van halen
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