Two years after the death of the Foo Fighters' Taylor Hawkins, friends, family, and fans are celebrating the drummer's life and legacy.
"A true music legend and drumming hero," posted popular UK venue host Gigs and Tours on X (formerly Twitter). Leading music publication Revolver similarly posted, "2 years gone. Never forgotten. #TaylorHawkins #RIP" with a photo of Hawkins.
Another X user echoed these sentiments, writing "March 25, 2024. Two years without taylor hawkins [sic.]" and attaching a video edit of the deceased rockstar set to a heartfelt song, "Rescue" by Lauren Daigle. The post includes edited clips of Hawkins alongside friends, including a touching moment of Foos frontman Dave Grohl declaring, "No, like, I really love you," before Hawkins cuts in saying, "Me!" The duo go back and forth, playfully fighting over who has more affection for the other.
Hawkins died while on tour with the band in Colombia, just hours before they were set to take the stage at the Estéreo Picnic Festival. He had complained of chest pains at the time, and an emergency medical team was dispatched to his hotel room. He was found unresponsive. After attempts to resuscitate the drummer failed, he died March 25, 2022 in Bogotà. He was 50 years old.
Born in Texas and raised in California, Hawkins began his serious involvement with the music industry shortly after graduating high school. He started his career in a band called Sylvia, and played drums for Sass Jordan, a Canadian singer-songwriter.
Hawkins also performed alongside Alanis Morissette, supporting her as a drummer on several of her tours and appearing in multiple music videos for the alternative rockstar between 1995 and 1997.
In 1996, Grohl was on the hunt for a new drummer after William Goldsmith left the Foo Fighters. He reached out to Hawkins, an acquaintance at the time who was still performing with Morissette, for guidance on who should be their next drummer. Hawkins volunteered himself, and the rest was history.
His debut appearance with the Foos was in the music video for the band's popular 1997 single "Monkey Wrench." Hawkins remained a member of the band for over 25 years until his untimely death. His final performance with the band was at Lollapalooza Argentina, three days prior.
Hawkins' musical resume boasts a number of awards. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was voted best rock drummer by Rhythm in 2005. Hawkins additionally had a variety of solo projects, and performed alongside stars such as LeAnn Rimes, Elton John, and Ozzy Osbourne throughout his career.
At the 2022 Grammy Awards, the Foo Fighters earned three awards for Best Rock Song, Best Rock Performance, and Best Rock Album; Hawkins was celebrated in the award show's "In Memoriam" remembrance segment.
