Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has died. The band, who were in Bogotá, Colombia near the end of a South American tour, announced the news Friday night (March 25) on social media. They were slated to headline Lollapalooza Brazil on Sunday. Hawkins was 50 years old, but no cause of death has been revealed. The band’s statement reads in full:
Hawkins joined Foo Fighters after the band completed their 1997 album The Colour and the Shape and has been a member since. Prior to his tenure in Foo Fighters, Hawkins had played drums for Alanis Morissette around the release of Jagged Little Pill. Hawkins’ most recent work included last year’s Medicine at Midnight, a project of Bee Gees covers, and Foo Fighters’ horror film, Studio 666.
Outside of the Foo Fighters, Hawkins had a solo project, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders. The band released their first album in 2006, and most recently issued Get the Money in 2019. The Birds of Satan, one of his other bands, released their self-titled album in 2014.
Hawkins was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Paul McCartney with Foo Fighters last year. The band were scheduled to perform at the Grammys on April 3 and had a North American tour scheduled to begin in May. Dates included appearances at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Boston Calling, and Osheaga.
As the news of Hawkins’ death broke online, Steve Albini, Ozzy Osbourne, Finneas, and Tom Morello expressed their affection and admiration for the late drummer. Lollapalooza also issued a statement, writing, “There are no words to describe what he meant to us, and to all music fans around the world.”
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