Foo Fighters have revealed that drummer Taylor Hawkins has died. He was 50.
The sudden and unexpected news broke late Friday night (March 25) through a statement from the band, which reads: “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. Out thoughts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”
No other details have been provided. According to Rolling Stone, Foo Fighters were on tour in South America at the time of the news, scheduled to play live at Festival Estéreo Picnic in Bogotá, Colombia, with an appearance at Lollapalooza Brazil on Sunday.
The band is set to headline Boston Calling Music Festival in May. UPDATE 11:19 a.m. EDT: The festival made a statement on Saturday morning expressing its condolences; read it below.
Tributes to the Texas-born, California-raised musician began immediately surfacing as news began to circulate, praising not only Hawkins’ massive talent, but also his infectious joy for life and down-to-Earth personality. “Taylor Hawkins was a terrific drummer with a gorgeous disposition, seemed always to be having the time of his life,” tweeted Steve Albini. “I didn’t know him well but I know music is lessened by his passing, made duller and smaller. Requiescat.” Ozzy Osbourne declared Hawkins “truly a great person and an amazing musician,” and Tom Morello tweeted: “God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend.
More to come.
The featured photo up top is from Foo Fighters’ 2018 performance art Fenway Park in Boston; see the full gallery by Scott Murry here.
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) March 26, 2022
***