On March 29th, Foo Fighters announced via their socials the sudden and tragic passing of their long-term drummer and good friend Taylor Hawkins. Since the announcement, the band have been rightfully quiet, with nothing in the way of interviews or conversations about Hawkins or the future of the band. But now, to celebrate Hawkins’ life, achievements, and relationships, Foo Fighters and The Hawkins family bring you the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts. 2 shows, the first at London’s Wembley Stadium on September 3rd and the second at LA’s Kia Forum September 27th. Tickets go on sale next Friday (June 17th) here.
For our dear friend, our badass bandmate, our beloved brother…Foo Fighters and The Hawkins family bring you the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts. https://t.co/8gNTw2uxWl pic.twitter.com/N8mDZgJ2kk
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) June 8, 2022
Along with the announcement of the shows, the Hawkins family also released a statement showing their gratitude towards the community created by Foo Fighters, and the general music scene he affected so greatly.
“As Taylor’s wife, and on behalf of our children, I want to share how much you meant to him and how dedicated he was to ‘knocking your socks off’ during every performance. Taylor was honoured to be a part of the Foo Fighters and valued his dream role in the band every minute of his 25 years with them. We consider every band member and the extended Foo Fighters team our family.
“Taylor’s endearing spirit and deep love of music will live on forever through the collaborations he so enjoyed having with other musicians and the catalogue of songs he contributed to and created.
“In celebration of his life, it is now up to all of us who loved him most to honour Taylor’s legacy and the music he gave us.”
A Message from The Hawkins Family pic.twitter.com/mOOI9PXtJD — Taylor Hawkins (@taylorhawkins) June 8, 2022
In a statement released by the band after describing Hawkins as, “One of the most respected and beloved figures in modern music”, the band go on to explain, “Millions mourned his untimely passing on March 25, with passionate and sincere tributes coming from fans as well as musicians Taylor idolized. The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts will unite several of those artists, the Hawkins family and of course his Foo Fighters brothers in celebration of Taylor’s memory and his legacy as a global rock icon—his bandmates and his inspirations playing the songs that he fell in love with, and the ones he brought to life.”
The full line-up for the shows is yet to be announced, but given the breadth of inspiration that Hawkins drew from, and then the countless number of people who have been affected by his music; it’s safe to assume that as tributes go… this is going to be one to remember.
On a final note, I think it would be unreasonable not to share with you one of my personal highlights for Hawkins. My first Foo Fighters show, at Wembley Stadium for the first time, and seeing Hawkins step away from the drums and do his best Robert Plant impersonation? What a performer.
