Less than 24 hours after the world received news that Taylor Hawkins died unexpectedly at the age of 50, Wolfgang Van Halen’s band Mammoth WVH paid tribute to the beloved Foo Fighters drummer in Boston. Playing Saturday night (March 26) at Big Night Live in North Station, Mammoth WVH busted out a cover of the Foos’ “My Hero,” dedicating the performance to Hawkins. Watch fan-filmed video below.
Van Halen told the crowd that Hawkins “was a hero to me, a hero to all of us, and a hero to countless people, so we feel this is necessary.” He said the band just worked out the cover earlier in the day, he admitted, and apologized for any “rough edges.” As the band wrapped up their rendition, Van Halen added: “Rest in peace, Taylor. We love you.”
According to reports, the 50-year-old Hawkins died in a hotel in Bogotá, Colombia, where Foo Fighters were currently on tour. They were scheduled to perform Friday at Picnic Stereo festival in Bogota and Sunday at Lollapalooza Brazil; both appearances were cancelled.
This Memorial Day weekend, Foo Fighters are set to headline Boston Calling Music Festival alongside Metallica and The Strokes. The festival released a statement on Saturday expressing condolences to the band and Hawkins’ family, which includes his wife and three children.
Like the rest of the world, we are utterly shocked and devastated by the news of Taylor Hawkins passing,” Boston Calling writes. “As a festival started by two drummers, this one hurts us to our core. We have been anxiously waiting two years to watch the Foo Fighters take the Boston Calling stage with Taylor behind the kit. To Taylor’s family, friends, and the entire Foo Fighters community, we offer our deepest condolences. As the band decides what comes next in the days ahead, we will keep the audience updated.”