Andrew Dalton, The Associated Press
–
LOS ANGELES — Taylor Hawkins, longtime drummer for rock band Foo Fighters, has died at the age of 50.
There were no immediate details about the circumstances and cause of the musician’s death. But the band said on social media that his passing was a “tragic and untimely loss”.
“His musical spirit and contagious laughter will be with us all forever,” reads the band’s official Twitter account, which also emailed the message to the media.
“Our thoughts are with his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect at this incredibly difficult time.”
After Foo Fighters founder and frontman Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins was probably the band’s most prominent member, appearing alongside the singer in interviews and playing prominent roles in the band’s videos.
He also starred in the recently released Foo Fighters comedy-horror film, “Studio 666,” in which a demonic force in a house the group is staying grabs Dave Grohl and turns him murderous.
Taylor Hawkins was the Foo Fighters’ drummer for 25 of the band’s 28-year existence, succeeding original drummer William Goldsmith in 1997.
Born Oliver Taylor Hawkins in Fort Worth, Texas in 1972, the artist grew up in Laguna Beach, California. He played in the small group Sylvia before landing his first major gig as the drummer for Canadian singer Sass Jordan. He then spent the mid-1990s as a touring drummer for Alanis Morissette before Dave Grohl asked him to join the Foo Fighters.
This is the second time that Dave Grohl has seen the death of a close band member. He was Nirvana’s drummer when Kurt Cobain died in 1994.
Taylor Hawkins is survived by his wife Alison and their three children.
–
