IFoo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins died in unclear circumstances in Bogota, where the alternative rock band was scheduled to perform on Friday evening March 25. “The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely passing of our dear Taylor Hawkins,” the American group announced via a statement posted on its Twitter account overnight from Friday to Saturday.
“His musical spirit and contagious laughter will forever be etched in our memories,” adds ex-Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl’s band of the 50-year-old American, without specifying the cause or the circumstances of the death. For now, the body of the drummer is at the Casa Medina Hotel, a hotel located in the east of the Colombian capital. The Foo Fighters, one of the most notorious alternative rock bands on the American scene, often acclaimed by critics, winner of several Grammy Awards and author of big hits, were to play this Friday in Bogota on the occasion of the Estéreo Festival Picnic.
Many tributes around the world
Following a very serious “medical fact”, the Foo Fighters will not be able to appear and have canceled the rest of their South American tour. Taylor Hawkins had been a part of the Foo Fighters since 1997, playing drums on some of their biggest hits, including “Learn to Fly” and “Best of You.” He previously played drums for Canadian indie singer Alanis Morissette.
Tributes poured in from across the music world, with the legendary Ozzy Osbourne hailing him “a great person and an incredible musician”, and punk rocker Billy Idol calling the news “tragic”. Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello praised the deceased’s “unstoppable rock power”. “Totally in disbelief at the news of the death of Taylor Hawkins,” tweeted rock band Nickelback. The Foo Fighters celebrated their 25and anniversary last year and had recently produced Studio 666, a rock horror movie.
