Original image found at CNBC
Taylor in September 2016 with his side project Chevy Metal
This was devastating news, around 9pm on Friday March 25, 2022, checking Twitter and seeing this tweet:
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) March 26, 2022
Since the release of their debut album, I’ve been a fan. And since the first time I saw them live in 1998, my fan status was cemented. The last time I saw them play live was in December 2017 here in Salt Lake City. A 3+ hour show. And I was looking forward to seeing them live once again this August when this tweet crushed that anticipation:
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) March 29, 2022
Don’t get me wrong. I completely understand cancelling the tour. The band, family and all of us fans need time to grieve. And need time to ponder the future.
And the outpouring of sadness, admiration and love for Taylor from the many musicians that knew him and played alongside him has been incredible.
Taylor Rocked
Original image found at Rolling Stone
Dave Navarro and Taylor Hawkins performing as NHC in November 2021
Taylor was considered one of the best drummers. Ever. Before he found his place in the Foo Fighters in 1997, he was the drummer for Alanis Morissette during the Jagged Little Pill tour. The photo at the top of this blog post was from the September 2016 Jack FM show I attended at Irvine Meadows venue in California with one of his projects called Chevy Metal. His last project outside the Foo Fighters was NHC, with Dave Navarro and Chris Chaney.
Foo Fighters with Taylor on lead vocals – Wembley 2008
And of course his nearly 25 years as the drummer and the occasional lead singer of the Foo Fighters where he would perform incredible covers like Queen “Under Pressure” and the above video of him performing Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones and Dave Grohl on drums at the 2008 concert at Wembley Stadium in the UK.
About The Future
As I eluded to above, the future of the band is very much up in the air. As sad as I and the millions of fans around the world would be, it is very possible this is the end of the Foo Fighters. And I would sadly understand. Taylor and Dave Grohl were tightly knit. He was the heartbeat of the band. It’s Dave’s band, but Taylor helped get this band to where it is at, with absolutely no disregard to Chris, Nate, Pat and Rami. With all 2022 tour dates cancelled through the end of this summer, we have to brace ourselves for this very possible outcome.
If the band does decide to find a replacement drummer – and I am sure Taylor would want the band to continue – the only choice should be Stephen Perkins from Jane’s Addiction. There is a reason for this. Taylor loved Jane’s Addiction. He memorized every single note from the first two Jane’s albums: “Nothing’s Shocking” and “Ritual de lo Habitual.” He idolized Stephen. And with his bandmate in NHC Dave Navarro guesstimated approval, Stephen would be an incredible fit in the Foo Fighters. Now that is just wishful thinking on my part to see the band continue on with what I feel would be the obvious choice for someone that Taylor would approve as a replacement .
I guess we shall see. For now, RIP Taylor and thank you for an incredible catalog and live musical history you have left us with. We miss you.