It's a sad day in the music world as Foo Fighter drummer Taylor Hawkins has passed away. A longtime member of the group who's been performing with the group for more than two decades, Hawkins' death was announced by the band on Friday, though an apparent cause hasn't yet been revealed. The musician, who can currently be seen in the band's new horror film Studio 666, was 50 years old.
"The Foo Fighters family 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 unimaginable difficult time," a statement from the band reads on Twitter.
Born Oliver Taylor Hawkins, the veteran drummer was born on Feb. 17, 1972. He joined Alanis Morissette's band in the 1990s, appearing on her Jagged Little Pill and Can't Not tours and appearing in several music videos. In 1997, he left the group to join Foo Fighters when his friend Dave Grohl asked for recommendations for a new drummer. He had since remained with the band ever since, getting inducted with the others last year into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He had also been performed with the group less than a week before his death at the Lollapalooza Argentina festival on March 20.
With a side project dubbed Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, the drummer also released three albums in 2006, 2010, and 2019. Last year, he teamed up with Jane's Addiction members Dave Navarro and Chris Chaney to form the supergroup NHC. Also featuring Foo Fighters' Pat Smear on additional guitar, the band recorded an album that will be released in 2022.
News of Hawkins' death has many other music legends in mourning. Among them is The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, who was one of Hawkins' inspirations. Taking to social media, Starr said, "God bless Taylor peace and love to all his family and the band peace and love."
Taylor Hawkins Joined His Band Mates in Studio 666
Just recently, Hawkins appeared in the new horror-comedy film Studio 666 from director B.J. McDonnell. Based on a story by Dave Grohl and written by Jeff Buhler and Rebecca Hughes, the film features the members of the band, including Hawkins, playing themselves. In the film, Grohl gets possessed by an evil entity and attacks the other members of the group; Hawkins' death scene is among the most memorable moments of the film.
Along with the other Foo Fighters, Hawkins was also featured in music documentaries. That includes Foo Fighters: Back and Forth in 2011 followed by Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways in 2014. Hawkins' other on-screen appearances include playing Iggy Pop in 2013's CBGB and making an appearance on the series The Morning Show in 2021.
Our thoughts are with Hawkins' family and friends at this difficult time. Though he will be missed, his legacy will continue to live on. Rest in peace, Taylor Hawkins.