Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has died. The band, who had just completed a leg of tour dates in South America, announced the news Friday night (March 25) on social media. The statement reads in full:
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 with 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 unimaginably difficult time.
Hawkins joined Foo Fighters after the band completed their 1997 album The Colour and the Shape, and has been a member since. Prior to his tenure in Foo Fighters, Hawkins had played drums for Alanis Morissette. Hawkins’ most recent work included last year’s Medicine at Midnight, a project of Bee Gees covers, and Foo Fighters’ horror film, Studio 666.
Hawkins was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Paul McCartney with Foo Fighters last year. The band were scheduled to perform at the Grammys on April 3 and had a North American tour scheduled to begin in May.
