The rock and music world was struck hard this past weekend. By the shocking news that Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has unexpectedly died at the untimely age of 50. The Foo Fighters were on tour in South America when the drummer was pronounced dead on the evening of March 25th. It’s a major major loss in a world that has already and is continually losing so much.
Hawkins began his prolific career nearly 30 years ago when he drummed for Sass Jordan. Before being swept up by Alanis Morissett’s camp. Touring a performing in music videos during her commercial peak: ‘Jagged Little Pill.’ About two years into that project he was recruited by Dave Grohl to be the drummer for the Foo Fighters. Grohl’s post Nirvana project. The pair quickly hit it off and became post grunge’s darling duo. Every rock era has one: Lennon/McCartney, Perry/Tyler, Sixx/Lee, Cantrell/Staley and Grohl/Hawkins. And unfortunately, the Grohl/Hawkins team has remained one of the the last great ones in rock. Which is now over. Making the loss an even bigger blow.
A Texas native, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who took more joy in playing drums than Taylor Hawkins. His smile and energy were infectious. Which I believe was an integral part to the Foo Fighter’s success. He also had quite a singing voice. And his love for rock and other musical genres was more than inspiring. I’ll never forget watching him induct Rush into the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame. He was just so damn happy to be there. He really brought out the jubilation of the event. That’s what him so rock. His love of not just drumming, but the genre as a whole. And it showed not just through drumming, but vocal work as well. His vocal performance of ‘Stiff Competition’ with Cheap Trick on Letterman is a timeless, memorable moment.
Hawkins lived a full life. Despite his untimely death at the age of 50, he lived four times as many lives as the rest of us. His passion and love of life rang throughout his prolific drumming career. What’s really sad is that Hawkins and Grohl were last of their kind to have major major mainstream success. He’s one of the only rockers that was internationally recognized who was aged under 50. There’s a few other, but not many. And it was all well deserved.
Taylor Hawkins played his final show with the Foo Fighters on March 20th in Argentina. Even performing a killer vocal cover of Queen’s ‘Somebody to Love.’ He seemed to be as jubilant as ever. Smiling, grateful and happy. No one could have suspected that in a few days time, he would gone. I certainly had very little idea of his drug abuse. He hid it well as far as I’m concerned. He did open up briefly about his struggles a few years ago. But other than that, has been pretty good about hiding his addiction demons. He always performed and always came through. No matter what. You’ve got to admire that. It was all a part of his passion. Which light could never be dimmed by the darkness of helpless drug abuse. RIP Taylor Hawkins. You will be missed.
