Remembering Taylor Hawkins

By Luke Sonderman

On March 25, 2022, one of the greatest musicians of all time died on tour in South America. Taylor Hawkins, who was most well known for being the drummer of the Foo Fighters, was far more than just a drummer. 

Taylor Hawkins had many musical inspirations: Genesis, Neil Peart (the drummer for Rush), and Steward Copeland (the drummer for the Police) to name a few (ultimateclassicrock.com). Still, Taylor Hawkins’s favorite band was Queen with drummer Roger Taylor (ultimateclassicrock.com). When hearing of Taylor Hawkins’s death, Roger Taylor said it felt like “losing a younger favorite brother” (cbs58.com).

Taylor Hawkins began his professional music career touring as the drummer for Alanis Morissette. At only 23 years old, Taylor began to get lots of attention as a drummer without taking away Morissette’s spotlight (pitchfork.com). In 1997, Dave Grohl, frontman of the Foo Fighters, approached Taylor Hawkins about being the band’s touring drummer after their last drummer quit. The world was shocked when Taylor joined this new, small rock group after touring with such an iconic artist, but Taylor joining the Foo Fighters started what is now one of the greatest rock bands of all time. 

Dave Grohl, being the famous drummer of Nirvana, recorded the drums for the albums Foo Fighters and The Colour and the Shape. After joining the band, Taylor Hawkins recorded the drums and toured for every album since. 

Aside from the Foo Fighters, Taylor Hawkins worked on many side projects–such as his solo band, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders. Along with his solo career, Hawkins also played in a cover band, Chevy Metal, which ended up writing originals and renaming themselves Birds of Satan. He also appeared on a few albums by Coheed and Cambria. 

My personal favorite songs that Taylor Hawkins appeared on are…

Arlandria

DOA

Dear Rosemary

Bridges Burning

Congregation

The Sky Is A Neighborhood

Many influential artists have commented on Taylor Hawkins tragic death. 

Perry Farell from Jane’s Addiction said, “Taylor Hawkins died yesterday. He was my best friend. Beloved in my home by my wife, my children, even my dogs. Whenever Taylor came over, we would make music in the den. [Our dog] Cloud would always go and sit right by him. He was one of the most passionate drummers I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. When I think of him, I sum it up with one word: Velocity. He had the gift to maintain a confident, striking and stroking velocity on drums” (americansongwriter.com).

Paul McCartney from the Beatles commented, “Taylor’s sudden death came as a shock to me and the people who knew and loved him” (loudwire.com).

Geddy Lee from Rush said, “He was such an incredibly positive source of music, energy and love, and a true artist to his very core….there are simply no words to adequately express just how much he will be missed by all – including . . . the entire Rush family” (nme.com).

Tommi Iommi from Black Sabbath stated, “I woke up this morning to hear the awful news of Taylor Hawkins’s death. What a terrible loss to us all. He was such a lovely guy and such a brilliant player” (washingtonpost.com).

Axl Rose of Guns N Roses said, “Shocked n’ saddened to hear of the passing. [He was] a really great guy, drummer n’ family man” (washingtonpost.com).

Travis Barker of Blink-182 said, “I don’t have the words. Sad to write this or to never see you again. 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” (ew.com).