The music world was shocked and saddened on Saturday to learn that legendary musician, Taylor Hawkins had passed away aged 50. Most well-known as being drummer for the rock band Foo Fighters, Hawkins tragically passed away in Bogota, Colombia, when the group was on tour.

Details of his passing continue to emerge, with cause of death believed to be related to substance use. However, this assertion is based on preliminary reports only, and it is understood that the investigation into the specific circumstances continues to be ongoing. What is known is that Hawkins was suffering from chest pain in his hotel room, prompting a call to paramedics. Sadly, the 50-year-old was non-responsive when they arrived and could not be resuscitated. 

Foo Fighters issued the following statement on their Twitter on Saturday 26 March:

"The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins. His music spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever. Our hearts 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."

Since news of his death broke, tributes have been swarming for the musician on Twitter. First lady Jill Biden, Mick Jagger, Steven Tyler, Ozzy Osbourne, Conan O'Brien, Ringo Starr, Brian May, David Letterman, Slash, Lenny Kravitz, and many others have expressed their sadness at the loss. 

Musical tributes soared over the weekend, from artists Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, Mammoth WVH, Sir Elton John, Slash, Underoath, and Liam Gallagher. Footage has since emerged of even more performances honouring Hawkins' memory from Candlebox, Joahn Jett, Aaron Lewis, and Daughtry with Mark Tremonti.

Hawkins joined Foo Fighters in 1997, taking over as drummer from William Goldsmith, who reportedly departed the band after an altercation with frontman Dave Grohl. Grohl, formerly the drummer for Nirvana, had formed Foo Fighters following Nirvana's disbanding after Kurt Cobain's death in 1994. Initially, Grohl had approached Hawkins seeking advice on a replacement drummer for Goldsmith and was pleasantly surprised when Hawkins offered to take over the duties himself. At the time, he was working as touring drummer for Canadian solo artist Alanis Morissette, and Grohl never imagined he would leave to join a far lesser-known group. But join he did, and history was made.

Hawkins would go on to make nine studio albums with Foo Fighters, as well as completing side projects with Coheed and Cambria, NHC, The Birds of Satan, and Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders. Ever hard working, he also did some session work between 2008 and 2021 with Eric Avery, Dave Grohl, Perry Farrell, Miley Cyrus, and Sir Elton John.

His tragic death leaves a hole in the music world that will be impossible to fill. His immense talent, as well as his humorous and kind-hearted nature, were a force to be reckoned with everywhere he went. Hawkins is survived by his wife, Allison, and their three children, Oliver (16), Annabelle (13), and Everleigh (eight). 

Rest in peace, Taylor, you will be missed!

Author: Harley Houghton

Harley Houghton is a writer and blogger, based in Melbourne, Australia. Her passions include music, especially metal, gaming and comics. Check out her blog www.harleysmadhouse.com and follow her on Twitter.