Inside Foo Fighters Taylor Hawkins' life – addiction, last gig and tragic death

Fans and stars from the world of entertainment are paying tribute to Hollywood icon and Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, following his death at the age of 50 years old.

Taylor died on March 25, 2022 hours before the band were due to perform at a festival in South America.

Renowned as one of the world’s greatest drummers, Taylor formed a close bond with rock icon and Foo Fighters frontperson Dave Grohl, as well as inspiring generations of musicians.

Following the news of Taylor Hawkins’ death, Daily Star has taken a look back at the life of one of rock music’s greatest drummers.

World-class drummer

Taylor Hawkins was one part of rock legends The Foo Fighters and had big shoes to fill when he was asked to become the drummer by Nirvana’s Dave Grohl.

Dave formed The Foo Fighters in 1994 following the death of Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain and was well known as one of rock’s legendary drummers.

Speaking about joining The Foo Fighters, he told OC Weekly: “I was a little nervous at first, but I got over that.

“Any instance where you’re auditioning for something, you’re going to be nervous. But no one can play better than Dave Grohl. He just has this vision in his head.”

However, Taylor soon cemented his status as one of the world’s greatest drummers, with Rhythm Magazine naming him Best Rock Drummer in 2005.

He and Dave also occasionally swapped roles at some Foo Fighter’s shows, with Dave going back behind the drums and Taylor singing.

Last appearance

Following his death, a video of one of his final appearances has been posted by fans online, showing the drummer leading the crowd in a rendition of Queen’s Somebody to Love, while Dave provided drumming duties during the performance.

Taylor had also previously reflected on the influence that seeing Queen at the age of 10 had on his life, telling Kerrang Magazine: “After that concert, I don’t think I slept for three days.

“It changed everything, and I was never the same because of it. It was the beginning of my obsession with rock’n’roll.”

The band were later inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Fame in 2021, with Taylor paying tribute to Dave Grohl in their acceptance speech, saying: “First, I’d like to thank Dave, ’cause none of this sh*t would have happened if it wasn’t for Dave. So thank you for letting me be in your band.”

Alanis Morrissette link

Before joining The Foo Fighters in 1997, following the departure of original drummer William Goldsmith, Taylor played drums for another huge star – Alanis Morrissette.

Taylor was the drummer on the star’s 1995 Jagged Little Pill tour, and along the way, came across future rock stars including Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker.

Paying tribute to Taylor Hawkins following his death, and looking back on the influence that Taylor’s drumming had during the Alanis Morrissette concerts, Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker said: “I don’t have the words. Sad to write this or to never see you again.

“I’ll never forget Laguna Beach days when I was a trash man playing in a punk rock band and you were playing with Alanis. You’d come to watch me play in dive bars and be like, ‘kid you’re a star’.

As well as drumming, Taylor also formed his own band called Taylor Hawkins and The Coattail Riders, where he both sang and played the drums.

Drug overdose hell

In 2001, Taylor Hawkins was rushed to hospital in London following a drug overdose and was in a coma for two weeks.

It was reported that Dave Grohl stayed by Taylor’s bedside throughout, and speaking about the incident to The Guardian, Dave said: “When Taylor wound up in hospital I was ready to quit music. Because, to me, it felt like music equalled death.

“I started praying. I’ve never been to church in my life, and I’m walking back from Taylor’s hospital to our hotel every night, praying out loud in the streets of London.”

Taylor had since spoken openly about the incident in subsequent interviews, telling Kerrang magazine: “Everyone has their own path and I took it too far.

“I was partying in London one night, and I mistakenly did something and it changed everything. I believed the bulls**t myth of live hard and fast, die young.”

He added: “I’m glad it got knocked on the head at that point. I wouldn’t take anything away that I’ve done or been through either, because it’s all part of the trip and the journey. I’m trying to be as candid as I can be. I go mountain biking now.”

Dave Grohl bond

Dave Grohl has spoken many times throughout the years about his close bond with Taylor Hawkins, referring to him as his ‘best friend’ during interviews.

The rock star explained that he was not sure if Taylor would join The Foo Fighters when initially asked in 1997, but was delighted when Taylor agreed.

He said the decision had more to do with their friendship, with Dave telling that same bond could be felt during all their performances onstage.

Dave told Los Angeles radio station 95.5 Klos: “To be honest, it still does, our musical relationship, the foundation of that is our friendship, and that’s why when we jump on stage and play, we’re so connected because we’re like best friends, and it’s great.”

The singer even revealed that Taylor helped to introduce him to his future wife, following an unexpected encounter while out with The Foo Fighters drummer.

Dave accompanied Taylor on a date in 2001 at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in Los Angeles, where he fell in love with the friend of Taylor’s date, Jordyn Blum.

That evening it is reported that Dave passed her a note saying “you’re my future wife,” and the rest as they say history.

The couple had been married since 2003 and have three daughters together, Violet, Harper and Willow.

Stunning wife

Taylor Hawkins was married to his wife Alison Hawkins, who the drummer wed in 2005.

They later had three children together called Oliver, Annabelle and Everleigh, with Taylor previously revealing that he had written a song called Middle Child for Annabelle.

He told the online Joe Daly blog that while he was writing a song for his son: “my daughter was like, ‘You have to have a song for me!’ I was like, ‘Well, I don’t know. You’re the middle child and you’re acting like a middle child right now, seeking attention and approval’.

‘Which I understand because Shane’s always in trouble and the baby’s [daughter Everleigh] cute as f**k, so you’re in the middle.

“But you’re like my twin, too.’ She really is. So I thought, ‘Why don’t I just call the song Middle Child?'”

Death

The Foo Fighters announced that Taylor Hawkins had died at the age of 50 on March 25, 2022.

Taylor was reported to have been found dead in his hotel room, but no cause of death has been confirmed.

The band were currently on tour in South America, with Taylor dying several hours before they were due to go onstage.

In his memory, candles were lit and placed on the stage where they were due to perform at a festival in Columbia.

Announcing his death on social media, the band said in their post: “The Foo Fighters 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. 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.”

Tributes from fans and fellow stars from the world of entertainment have poured in from around the world, with fellow rock icon Ozzy Osbourne saying: “@TaylorHawkins was truly a great person and an amazing musician. My heart, my love and my condolences go out to his wife, his children, his family, his band and his fans. See you on the other side – Ozzy.”

Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello tweeted: “God bless you, Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace, my friend.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk