Taylor Hawkins at a concert in Los Angeles last month
The drummer of the American rock band Foo Fighters, Taylor Hawkins, has died aged 50 in Colombia. Local media report that he was found dead in a hotel in the capital Bogota. The band would perform there at a festival.
Hawkins’ death was announced by the band on social media. “The Foo Fighters family is heartbroken at the tragic and untimely passing of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” the statement said. “His musical spirit and infectious laugh will stay with us all forever.”
Hawkins was a prominent member of the Foo Fighters alongside lead singer Dave Grohl, which was formed in 1995. He joined the band in 1997, after the previous drummer left after an argument. Hawkins previously played in Alanis Morissette’s band.
He also sang with the Foo Fighters, often in the background, but sometimes as lead vocal† The number Cold day in the sun is an example of this. Hawkins also co-wrote a large number of songs.
In 2001, Hawkins was in a coma for two weeks after a heroin overdose. He was married and had three children.
