“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely passing of our dear Taylor Hawkins,” wrote the group of ex-Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, without specifying the cause or circumstances of death.
“His musical spirit and infectious laughter will forever be etched in our memories,” the statement added of the 50-year-old American.
The body of the drummer “is there (at the Casa Medina Hotel) and for the moment we have no other information,” a source from the prosecutor’s office in Bogota told AFP, on condition of anonymity. speaking of a hotel located in the east of the Colombian capital.
The Foo Fighters, one of the most notorious alternative rock groups on the American scene, often acclaimed by critics and enjoying great success, were to play this Friday in Bogota on the occasion of the Estéreo Picnic Festival.
This Festival shared the group’s press release and published a message on social networks stating that following a “very serious medical event, the Foo Fighters will not be able to perform this (Friday) evening and have canceled the rest of their South American tour”.
Taylor had been with the Foo Fighters since 1997, playing drums on some of their biggest hits, including “Learn to Fly” and “Best of You.” He previously played drums for Canadian indie singer Alanis Morissette.
Tributes poured in from across the music world, with the legendary Ozzy Osbourne hailing him “a great person and an incredible musician”, and punk rocker Billy Idol calling the news “tragic”.
Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello praised the deceased’s “unstoppable rock power”.
“Totally in disbelief at the news of Taylor Hawkins’ death,” rock band Nickelback tweeted.
The Foo Fighters celebrated their 25th anniversary last year and recently produced “Studio 666”, a rock horror film.