The music world was shocked this weekend at the news that Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins died Friday at the age off only 50.
The band announced the news in a statement on Instagram. “The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” it read. “His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.” The note added, “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 Foo Fighters were in Bogota, Colombia for the Festival Estéreo Picnic, but canceled their appearance. They also reportedly canceled the rest of their South American tour.
- Taylor joined Foo Fighters in 1997 after playing drums for Alanis Morrissette on her tour supporting “Jagged Little Pill. In addition to the Foos he had his own side projects including Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, which released three albums, and NHC, which was made up of Jane's Addiction’s Dave Navarro and bassist Chris Chaney
- He and Foo frontman Dave Grohl were known for their close relationship, with Dave describing Taylor in his book “The Storyteller” as his “brother from another mother, my best friend, a man for whom I would take a bullet." He added, “Upon first meeting, our bond was immediate, and we grew closer with every day, every song, every note that we ever played together,” adding, “We are absolutely meant to be, and I am grateful that we found each other in this lifetime.”
- Check out video of a live performance of Foo Fighters' "Cold Day In The Sun," which Taylor sings lead on. (NOTE CONTENT)
- Although no cause of death has been revealed, A statement by the Bogotá Metropolitan Police, reported by El Tiempo and other media, said, “According to versions from those who are more familiar with the situation, it could be associated to use of narcotic substances.” The office of the Attorney General of Colombia later revealed that, according to a toxicology 10 substances were found in Hawkins' system, including opioids, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants and THC.
- According to a report in The Mail, a forensic report noted Taylor's heart weighed "at least 600 grams," double the average of 300 to 350 grams. Colombian news magazine Semana reported that investigators are saying he "suffered cardiovascular collapse after binging on a cocktail of drugs,"
- Another report says an emergency call was put out to his hotel regarding a patient with “chest pains” and a private ambulance was sent, but health workers were unable to revive him.
Source: Billboard