I woke up very early this morning after a restless night of fitful sleep.
Sometime after midnight, I started seeing news that the propulsive percussive dynamo that fueled the music of the Foo Fighters, Taylor Hawkins, had passed at the age of 50.
The announcement was made quietly, starkly, and simply, on the band’s Facebook page expressing shock and sympathy without further comment:
It’s difficult to imagine anyone familiar with Rock or Pop music over the last decade or more not knowing Taylor’s face, if not his name. Dave Grohl is the primary songwriter, founder, and identity of the band, but Taylor was his choice for a drummer. They often appeared together as Rock and Roll Bobbsey twins in media interviews. The mutual affection and respect were obvious. As a drummer himself, and a person who is very particular about every aspect of music production, Grohl didn’t make the choice lightly, and Taylor didn’t take his role for granted. He worked for the gig and kept working to keep it. Check out this outstanding interview with BBC Radio One, IMHO, the very best insight into Taylor’s mind and approach to drumming.
Taylor began his career by filling the drum chair for Alanis Morrisette. Taylor said that she and her manager didn’t mind that he was not a well seasoned, experienced studio drummer, and they broke the mold in the studio and turned the entire band into a rock band that colored outside the lines. You can hear the energy Taylor and the band brought to the Alanis Morisette tune (which Taylor humbly thanks her for) “You Oughta Know”
The thing common to both Grohl and Hawkins was an unabashed love and appreciation for their musical heroes, and they would frequently end up intersecting with them after achieving massive recognition within the context of Foo Fighters’ live shows. For Taylor, it was Stewart Copeland of The Police and Roger Taylor of Queen. Taylor would, more often than not, hand his sticks over to Grohl, or a guest drummer, and take the frontman’s role as lead vocalist. As a singing drummer, I understand the complexity and challenge of “walking and chewing gum at the same time” so to speak. Taylor would sing behind the kit as well. He could have taken the comfortable route, and insisted on never singing at all. So I have immense respect for him in that aspect.
I work as a local stagehand. I have never been on the road for more than a day or two. However, I know the rigors of the road by intersecting with touring musicians and road crews. It is an exhausting, grueling life. Everything is temporary. Eating, sleeping, looking out for yourself are rare luxuries. So as I write this, I’m not sure what the exact cause of death is. I do know that Taylor expended copious amounts of energy on the road, pounding a drumkit night after night under intensely hot lights is an athlete’s pursuit. You have to be in good shape.
Taylor seemed like a humble, affable extremely talented individual that never took his fame and fortune for granted. Condolences to The Foo Fighters and all family and friends. He left a big footprint behind, and it will be hard to fill shoes like that.
Late edit: (3/28) I wanted to share this well-produced video from the Drum Channel, showing how creative Taylor was in another musical context outside of the Foo Fighters. He will be missed. The love and dedication to the music are clear.
Late Edit (3/30): Taylor’s very last performance with the Foo Fighters. He took the lead vocal playing a classic Queen song. Incredibly sad, but left the planet putting himself in people’s hearts.