Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has died, the rock band announced Friday. He was 50.
The band, founded by lead singer Dave Grohl, said in a tweet that they were devastated by Hawkins’ untimely death.
“His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever,” the band said in the statement.
The cause of death was not released in the band’s statement. The rock group said Hawkins was a beloved member of the band.
“Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time,” the band wrote.
The Foo Fighters were scheduled to perform in Bogota, Colombia, at the Festival Estéreo Picnic on Friday, but the concert was canceled.
Hawkins, born in Fort Worth, Texas, lived in California. Before the Foo Fighters he was with the Orange County band Sylvia, then was a drummer for Sass Jordan. He also toured with Alanis Morissette as her drummer. He joined the Foo Fighters in 1997.
Hawkins also starred in Foo Fighters’ recently released horror-comedy film, “Studio 666,” in which a demonic force in a house the band is staying in seizes Grohl and makes him murderous.
The Foo Fighters were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year.
The band’s hits include “Everlong” “Best of You,” “My Hero,” “Learn to Fly” and “All My Life,” among others.
Grohl was drummer of the iconic and influential grunge-rock band Nirvana. He founded the Foo Fighters following Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain died by suicide in 1994 and Nirvana broke up.
In an interview with music publication NMEHawkins recalled meeting Grohl at a Christmas show for the first time.
“Me and Dave just looked like long-lost brothers in a weird way. We had a similar vibe and I don’t know why,” Hawkins recalled in the in the 2021 cover story.
“It was instantaneous — so much so that Alanis Morrisette just said ‘What are you going to do when Dave asks you to be the drummer in the Foo Fighters?’” he recalled.
Among the people expressing their condolences and remembrances Friday was Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, who tweeted “I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power.”
Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath called Hawkins “truly a great person and an amazing musician.”
Billy Idol tweeted“So tragic. ???? Rest in peace Taylor,” and Rick Springfield wrote on Twitter“Rest in peace Taylor. Peace, love, and light to your family.”
Hawkins is survived by his wife, Alison, and their three children.
The Foo Fighters are among the acts scheduled to perform at the 2022 Grammy Awards on April 3.
The band is nominated for a Grammy for best rock performance for “Making A Fire,” and members of the band, including Hawkins, are nominated for a songwriters award for “Waiting On A War.” The band has also been nominated for best rock album for “Medicine At Midnight.”
Liz Calvary and The Associated Press contributed.
