The Foo Fighters are to continue performing, after death of Taylor Hawkins

[Ivan May]

The Foo Fighters will continue as a band following the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins last year, although it will be a “different” group, they have said.

In a statement posted on Instagram at the weekend, the rock band called 2022 “the most difficult and tragic year” that they had known.

They said they were thankful for “the people that we love and cherish most, and for the loved ones who are no longer with us.”

The Foo Fighters on stage at the tribute concert for Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins at Wembley Stadium in London, England, on Saturday, September 3. 
Foo Fighters pay tribute to drummer Taylor Hawkins at emotional London concert
“(We) were formed 27 years ago to represent the healing power of music and a continuation of life,” the band wrote, adding that fans had built “a worldwide community, a devoted support system that has helped us all get through the darkest of times together.”

Hawkins died last March, aged 50, in Colombia while on tour. At the time, the Foo Fighters tweeted “his musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.”

In this latest post, they paid tribute to their former drummer, saying: “Without Taylor, we never would have become the band that we were – and without Taylor, we know that we’re going to be a different band going forward.”

“He’ll be there in spirit with all of us every night,” they added.

Taylor Hawkins preliminary toxicology screening
Foo Fighters set to honor Taylor Hawkins in second tribute show
Hawkins played drums for Alanis Morissette before joining the Foo Fighters in 1997 – three years after frontman Dave Grohl founded the group.

In September – six months after his passing – the Foo Fighters played at London’s Wembley Stadium as part of a star-studded celebratory event honoring Hawkins. Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher and Brian May were among the biggest names in music to appear at the concert.

When it came to the band’s performance, Hawkins’ son Oliver Shane Hawkins, who was 16, joined them, picking up the drumsticks for a rendition of their song “My Hero.”

The Foo Fighters held a second tribute in Los Angeles later that month.

 

I have several friends and family members who are huge into the Foo Fighters, and I am a Foo Fighters fan myself. I, for one, am okay that the Foo Fighters are continuing to play even after Taylor Hawkins died. Some people might admit that the Foo Fighters should have split up after Taylor Hawkins died, and one can honestly see why. But I'm glad they're going to continue.

 

After all, there are lots of great rock bands who have continued to triumph even after a noted member dies. I mean, Alice In Chains still continue to tour and record, even though vocalist Layne Staley and bassist Mike Starr have been dead for several years.

 

If you are okay with the Foo Fighters reforming, then please share your thoughts here.

[Caevan O’Shite]

Of course I'm OK with the Foo Fighters reforming!

The Foos began without Hawkins, and it's perfectly fine and good that they continue after his demise- far better than if they had folded instead.

Either way, though, their decision to forge ahead or disband would be something to respect as a matter only they could decide- anybody else having misgivings about either choice would be irrelevant.

[Larryz]

 

This was my favorite band and song back in the 70's.  They were a hot country rock band from '73 to '83 when Tommy and Toy Caldwell were with them singing the lead vocals. This album Carolina Dreams went Platinum.  It has a ton of great country with jazz influence tunes well worth the money.  After the bothers left (one died of a car accident), they were never the same.  The band is still together after 50 years with only one original member remaining.  Not having Tommy and Toy, is like CCR without Fogerty or the Stones without Jagger.  +1 on bands staying together is their decision and I guess it's up to the fans whether or not they still attend.  I saw them at a Casino about 10 years ago, and they were still great instrumentally, but it was not the same vocally.  Good but not the same...🤠👍

 

ps. I've been playing Desert Skies ever since I bought this album back in the 70's

[surfergirl]

I can't say I'm a big Foo Fighters fan, but it's up them, or any group, whether they want to continue after losing a member. Individuals deal differently with a lose, some may want move forward as soon as possible and some may want to take some time off to reflect.

[Scott Fraser]

In some bands the drummer is somewhat interchangeable, not utterly essential to what is unique to that band. In others, the drummer is such a tightly integrated element that the band simply can't be that band without that drummer. Nobody could play like John Bonham, so Led Zeppelin decided to disband after his passing. IMO the right move. The Who continued after Keith Moon's death, & became a band without the manic energy which made them utterly unique. IMO a mistake. I don't know the Foo Fighters enough to have a sense of their essential identity with a different drummer, but I suspect it will still sound & feel just like the Foo Fighters.

[Sharkman]

I like the Foo Fighters, but I never heard the name Taylor Hawkins mentioned by anyone until he died, and then suddenly he became one of the greatest drummers ever.  I am pretty sure there will be some really talented drummers eager to be the new Foo Fighters drummer, and Dave Grohl will continue to write and record more really good songs.