The famous American rock band, led by former Nirvana member Dave Grohl, was touring South America when the sudden death of its drummer occurred.
Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins died in unclear circumstances in Bogota, where the alternative rock band was scheduled to perform on Friday night.
“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely passing of our dear Taylor Hawkins,” the famous American group announced in 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.
“No further information”
The drummer’s body “is there (at the Casa Medina Hotel) and for the moment we have no other information,” a source from the prosecutor’s office in Bogota told Agence France-Presse (AFP). on condition of anonymity, speaking of 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.
This Festival shared the group’s press release and published a message on social media stating that following a “very serious medical event, the Foo Fighters will not be able to perform this (Friday) evening and have canceled the rest of their South American tour”.
Taylor Hawkins had been a part of the Foo Fighters since 1997, playing percussion on some of their biggest hits, including Learn to Fly and Best of You. He previously played drums for Canadian indie singer Alanis Morissette.
“An incredible musician”
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”.
The Foo Fighters celebrated their 25th anniversary last year and had recently produced Studio 666a rock horror film.
In an interview given to the Californian radio 95.5 KLOS last year, Dave Grohl had told his first meeting with Hawkins.
“I said, ‘well, you’re my twin or my spirit animal, or my best friend’, and we’ve only known each other for ten seconds!”
“And of course I had seen him play drums and I thought he was an amazing drummer,” he added.
“When I called him and said, ‘Listen, I’m looking for a drummer’, he said, ‘You know I’m your man’. I think it had more to do with our personal relationship than ‘with something musical,” said the ex-Nirvana drummer.
The Foo Fighters are scheduled at the Arènes de Nîmes, for two concerts, next June.
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