The Death of Taylor Hawkins: One Year Later

Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins was discovered useless on March 25, 2022, in his resort room on the 4 Seasons Lodge 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 by way of 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 might an individual who appeared so wholesome and energetic immediately die? Ideas instantly turned to medicine. Hawkins had, in spite of everything, suffered by means of bouts of habit, together with a near-fatal heroin overdose in 2001.

An preliminary toxicology report circulated shortly after his dying that recommended an overdose was possible, however these findings had been by no means confirmed. In the meantime, a separate report claimed Hawkins’ coronary heart “weighed double that of males his age,” which additionally might have contributed to his dying.

Watch a Information Report on the Demise of Taylor Hawkins

The finger-pointing continued from there. Rolling Stone later recommended 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 maintain up. He simply did no matter it took to maintain up, and ultimately he couldn’t sustain.” Following the story’s publication, Cameron and Crimson Sizzling Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith walked again their feedback.

“My quotes had been taken out of context and formed right into a narrative I had by no means supposed,” Smith stated. “Taylor was an expensive good friend, and a next-level artist. I miss him. I’ve solely the deepest love and respect for Taylor, Dave [Grohl] and the Foo Fighters’ households. I’m actually sorry to have taken half on this interview, and I apologize that my participation could have induced hurt to these for whom I’ve solely 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.

“Tens of millions mourned his premature passing on March 25, with passionate and honest tributes coming from followers in addition to musicians Taylor idolized,” the group stated in an official assertion. “The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Live shows will unite a number of of these artists, the Hawkins household and naturally his Foo Fighters brothers in celebration of Taylor’s reminiscence and his legacy as a world rock icon — his bandmates and his inspirations taking part in the songs that he fell in love with, and those he dropped at life.”

Watch Foo Fighters Carry out With Taylor Hawkins’ Son Shane on the London Tribute Live performance

The primary live performance befell on Sept. 3 at Wembley Stadium in London and featured an incredible listing of performers, together with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush, Brian Might 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, they usually delivered a heart-wrenching set.

A second tribute was held on Sept. 27 in Los Angeles. Lots of the earlier performers appeared once more, together with newcomers together with Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Joan Jett, Miley Cyrus, Coronary 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 Present

As 2022 got here to a detailed, Foo Fighters confirmed what most followers already assumed: They might proceed with out their longtime drummer. “Foo Fighters had been fashioned 27 years in the past to symbolize the therapeutic energy of music and a continuation of life,” the band stated in a information launch. “And for the previous 27 years our followers have constructed a worldwide group, a faithful assist system that has helped us all get by means of the darkest of instances collectively. A spot to share our pleasure and our ache, our hopes and fears, and to affix in a refrain of life collectively by means of music. With out Taylor, we by no means would have turn out to be the band that we had been — and with out Taylor, we all know that we will be a distinct band going ahead.”

Since then, the band has been energetic, 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 Exterior Lands, Boston Calling and Louder Than Life. Who might be behind the equipment for these gigs stays to be seen. In the meantime, rumors regarding new music proceed to swirl.

Within the 12 months since Hawkins’ dying, bandmates, buddies, household, colleagues and followers have all proven resiliency within the face of tragedy. No matter what occurs transferring ahead, one factor stays sure: Hawkins’ presence will at all times be felt in Foo Fighters, though he’s gone.