Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins dead at 50

Taylor Hawkins, drummer for the Foo Fighters, has died at age 50. The news was shared by the band on social media. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Relive the career of Taylor Hawkins in PHOTOS
According to the Colombian broadcaster Caracol, he was found dead this Friday (25), at the hotel in Bogotá where the band was staying. They would play in the country this Friday.

Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins dies

"The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins," the group wrote on Twitter.

"His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live with us forever. Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that your privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this time of unimaginable hardship."

According to a statement from the Colombian festival Estéreo Picnic, where the band would perform, Foo Fighters canceled the rest of the South American tour. They would play at Lollapalooza Brasil on Sunday (27).

Hawkins joined the group led by Dave Grohl in 1997 after two years playing drums for Alanis Morissette.

He replaced William Goldsmith, who resigned after a falling out with the singer. After recording the second disc, "The Color and the Shape", Grohl was not satisfied with Goldsmith's participation and redid all his parts in secret.

Without a drummer, the singer (and former Nirvana drummer) asked Hawkins for a recommendation for a replacement, and was surprised when the musician offered.

Despite joining the band sometime after the band formed, over the years he became an integral part of the band, appearing on every record since then.

Throughout his career, while the Foo Fighters were on hiatus or similar occasions, Taylor participated in other projects. Among them are Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, in which he played drums and sang, and his cover band, Chevy Metal.

Pat Smear, Nate Mendel, Rami Jaffee, Chris Shiflett, Taylor Hawkins, Paul McCartney and Dave Grohl during the Foo Fighters induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 — Photo: David Richard/AP Photo
Pat Smear, Nate Mendel, Rami Jaffee, Chris Shiflett, Taylor Hawkins, Paul McCartney and Dave Grohl during the Foo Fighters induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 — Photo: David Richard/AP Photo

Currently, he still formed the NHC, a superband that started during the pandemic, with Dave Navarro and Chris Chaney of Jane's Addiction.

In 2021, he and his fellow Foo Fighters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.