Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has died aged 50.
It is through a publication on social networks that Foo Fighters announced the surprising news. Taylor Hawkins was 50 years old. He had been the band’s drummer since 1997 when he took over from William Goldsmith. Although the drummer’s cause of death has not been revealed, he was in Bogota to perform with the band as part of Brazil’s Lollapalooza festival.
The group asks that the family be given a moment to absorb the news. He is survived by his wife Alison and his children: Oliver Shane, Annabelle and Everleigh.
Taylor Hawkins joined the Foo Fighters after recording The Colour and the Shape. At that time he was the drummer for Alanis Morissette and had been behind the drums for the album tours Jagged Little Pill. Dave Grohl had contacted him to find out if he knew anyone who would like to take the role within Foo Fighters thinking he would pass on names to her. To his surprise, Hawkins offered himself, explaining that he wanted to be part of a group of which he would be an integral part.
In addition to Foo Fightershe was part of his group Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders in addition to recording drums for the album Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow from Coheed and Cambria.
Photo credit: Raph_PH