Tributes have been flooding in from across the rock world following the death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. The band announced the heartbreaking news of Hawkins' death, aged 50, in a statement, saying they were 'devastated by the untimely loss'.
They asked for privacy of his family to be respected. He is survived by his wife Alison and their three children.
"The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” Foo Fighters official account tweeted. "His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of 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 played in the Foos with former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl on vocal for more than two decades, alongside Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee. He joined Foo Fighters in 1997 following the departure of the band’s previous drummer William Goldsmith. Prior to joining Foo Fighters he had played drums for Alanis Morissette.
No further details about Hawkins’ death were provided. At the time of his death, Foo Fighters were on tour in South America. The band had played in San Isidro, Argentina, last Sunday and were due to perform in Bogota, Colombia, on Friday night – the day his death was announced.
Ozzy Osbourne praised Taylor Hawkins as a “great person and an amazing musician,” and promised to “see him on the other side.” He wrote on Twitter: "@TaylorHawkins was truly a great person and an amazing musician. My heart, my love and my condolences go out to his wife, his children, his family, his band and his fans. See you on the other side – Ozzy."
Members of rock band Nickelback said they were in “utter disbelief” at the news of Hawkins’ death. "Our deepest condolences to his family, his bandmates, his team, his friends and everyone that was ever touched by the music he created with @foofighters @Alanis and so many others," the band tweeted. "This is so incredibly sad."
Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr also expressed his condolences for Hawkins’ family and bandmates. "God bless Taylor," he wrote. "Peace and love to all his family and the band peace and love."
Guns n Roses guitarist Slash posted: "Devastated by the loss of our friend #TaylorHawkins I've no words to express all the feelings I have about his passing. But my heart goes out to his family. & his band & friends. RIP Taylor."
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker shared a photo of his band meeting up with Hawkins and other Foo Fighters members. "This one hurts," Travis started before sharing another post.
"I don’t have the words. Sad to write this or to never see you again," he added.
"I’ll never forget Laguna Beach days when I was a trash man playing in a punk rock band and you were playing with Alanis.
"You’d come watch me play in dive bars and be like, “kid you’re a star”. And I thought you were crazy but you gave me so much hope and determination. Years later we toured together with Blink and Foo’s in Australia and I have the best memories of smoking cigarettes in the restroom of flights we were on together and watching your set every night. To say I’ll miss you my friend isn’t enough. Till the next time we talk drums and smoke in the boys room … Rest In Peace."
