Taylor Hawkins

One year on from Taylor's untimely passing, we look back on just a few reasons he was universally respected as a drummer.

Sadly, Hawkins never got to see the release of NHC’s full-length album, which was recorded in 2021 and slated for release in 2022. He was, in many ways, the glue that united the profile of drums and their position in music in the modern era. When it came time to finish a song by late Beach Boys drummer, Dennis Wilson (Holy man), Hawkins got the call, enlisted alongside Roger Taylor and Brian May for the song’s release. It starts with his rock covers band, Chevy Metal, who would regularly show up at clubs to run through a set of golden-era rock covers. As far as recognition goes, being known as the drummer who matched-up to (and clearly surpassed) Dave Grohl's requirements is legacy enough. The type of studied and schooled player who has taken the time to unpick their influences, understand the nuances and how to apply it within their own playing. He also pointed to Aurora - itself a melancholic love-letter to Grohl's time spent in Seattle, which Hawkins would later declare his favourite Foo Fighters song in 2020 - and MIA as examples of his style. Taylor Hawkins was like a musical sponge; born in the ’70s, a teenager in the 80s soaking up the very best of rock music that had preceded him. His drumming was at the core of this concept. As we’ve established, Taylor Hawkins was a dyed-in-the-wool student of rock. He may have joined Foo Fighters as the drummer, but he was a songwriter, stadium-level vocalist (as proved many times), and alongside Dave Grohl, the second strongest personality in Foo Fighters. Hawkins performed on covers of Killing Joke’s Requiem for the Everlong single b-side, along with covers of Prince's Drive Me Wild and Gerry Rafferty's Baker Street.

A look at everything that has happened since Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins' sudden death on March 25, 2022.

Many of the previous performers appeared again, along with newcomers including [Def Leppard](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/def-leppard/), [Motley Crue](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/motley-crue), [Joan Jett](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/joan-jett/), [Miley Cyrus](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/miley-cyrus/), [Heart](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/heart/)'s [Nancy Wilson](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/nancy-wilson/), [Alanis Morissette](https://popcrush.com/tags/alanis-morissette/), [Pink](https://popcrush.com/tags/pink/) and [Black Sabbath](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/black-sabbath/)'s [Geezer Butler](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/geezer-butler/). This concert also marked the first time Foo Fighters had taken the stage following Hawkins' death, and they delivered a [heart-wrenching set](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/foo-fighters-taylor-hawkins-tribute-concert/). 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." A place to share our joy and our pain, our hopes and fears, and to join in a chorus of life together through music. He just did whatever it took to keep up, and in the end he couldn’t keep up.” Following the story's publication, Cameron and [Red Hot Chili Peppers](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/red-hot-chili-peppers/)’ [Chad Smith](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/tags/chad-smith/) walked back their comments. [later suggested](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/taylor-hawkins-death-foo-fighters-schedule/) that Hawkins was exhausted by the constant demands of the Foo Fighters. "And for the past 27 years our fans have built a worldwide community, a devoted support system that has helped us all get through the darkest of times together. I am truly sorry to have taken part in this interview, and I apologize that my participation may have caused harm to those for whom I have only the deepest respect and admiration." "Millions mourned his untimely passing on March 25, with passionate and sincere tributes coming from fans as well as musicians Taylor idolized," the group said in an official statement. [initial toxicology report](https://ultimateclassicrock.com/taylor-hawkins-toxicology-report/) circulated shortly after his death that suggested an overdose was likely, but those findings were never confirmed. "Taylor was a dear friend, and a next-level artist. A year after his tragic passing, the band and their fans remain in a state of flux.

One year after the sudden passing of Taylor Hawkins, Studio Brussel pays tribute to Foo Fighters' iconic drummer. Watch the unique version of 'My Hero', ...

From the tragedy of Taylor Hawkins' death, came the light of the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts, here are our highlights from the televised Wembley event.

He was flanked by his son Rufus and Foo Fighters backing vocalist Barbara Gruska before leaving the kit to take the lead vocal on I’m In Love With my Car. Our favourite of the two songs though, was Monkey Wrench, which played at album tempo saw Travis in his pop-punk comfort zone, powerfully rattling through the songs fills and pauses before bringing some of his trademark showmanship courtesy of a short solo complete with flailing arms and spinning sticks, all while making it seem effortless. As Copeland took to the stage, Grohl asked, ‘Ready, Stew’ and Copeland responded by banging out quarter notes on his snare. When Taylor Hawkins first joined Foo Fighters, he and Grohl were constantly answering questions comparing their styles - a routine answer became that Grohl took influence from John Bonham, while Taylor’s style was more along the lines of Stewart Copeland. “When I was 10 years old, my older sister took me to see Queen in concert - the first concert I ever saw” and interview clip with Taylor said, “And I watched the fucking drummer, and I said ‘I want to fucking be him, I want to do that.” Not only was Roger Taylor a close friend of Hawkins, but Taylor was a Queen obsessive, clearly studying Freddie Mercury’s delivery as a frontman and applying it to his own stage presence when it came time for him to take the mic in front of big audiences. Rufus has featured on Foo Fighters performances before, but here, The Darkness drummer excelled a number of times throughout the set. As Grohl noted before introducing her, UK multi-instrumentalist Nandi Bushell cemented her place in the Foo Fighters universe by challenging Grohl to a drum off. But despite all of this, our favourite Omar turn of the evening was on a Foo Fighters song. After smashing his way through Back In Black while the crowd audibly erupted, Lars swapped out his busted snare drum and continued to steamroll his way through Let There Be Rock. Grohl proved time and again why he is not only considered the Nicest Man In Rock, but also the most influential drummer of his generation. My Hero was recorded for Foo Fighters’ pre-Hawkins second album, The Color and The Shape, and famously features a double-drum part recorded by Dave Grohl.

The musician had been in Bogota, Colombia with the band as they were set to play the first to two dates over the weekend in South America. News of Hawkins' ...

[intent to continue](https://loudwire.com/foo-fighters-statement-future-taylor-hawkins/) as a band in the aftermath of Hawkins' death. A [tearful Dave Grohl](https://loudwire.com/tearful-dave-grohl-plays-first-foo-fighters-song-without-taylor-hawkins/) got emotional upon playing "Times Like These," the first Foo Fighters song of the night played without Hawkins. In addition, he had a chance to show his acting chops, appearing as [Iggy Pop](https://loudwire.com/tags/iggy-pop/) in the 2012 film GBGB and appearing as himself in the 2022 horror comedy Studio 666. 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." And in the months prior to his death, he had been releasing music under the moniker [NHC](https://loudwire.com/tags/nhc/), fronting a trio that included Jane's Addiction members [Dave Navarro](https://loudwire.com/tags/dave-navarro/) and [Chris Chaney](https://loudwire.com/tags/chris-chaney/). He was [saluted at the Grammys](https://loudwire.com/taylor-hawkins-honored-tribute-2022-grammy-awards/) with a special tribute, while singer [Billie Eilish sported a T-shirt](https://loudwire.com/billie-eilish-honored-taylor-hawkins-2022-grammys/) with Hawkins' face. [Mike Portnoy](https://loudwire.com/tags/mike-portnoy/) [added](https://twitter.com/MikePortnoy/status/1507557722409029635), "In absolute shock and disbelief over the the passing of Taylor Hawkins. She later concluded her statement, saying, "In celebration of his life, it is now up to all of us who loved him most to honor Taylor's legacy and the music he gave us." [Alanis Morissette](https://loudwire.com/tags/alanis-morissette/)'s band during her Jagged Little Pill promotion. Even [First Lady Jill Biden](https://loudwire.com/taylor-hawkins-death-foo-fighters-first-lady-jill-biden-mourns-reacts/) acknowledge Hawkins' death, calling the musician, "A ferocious drummer, dedicated father, and dear friend gone far too soon." [Disturbed](https://loudwire.com/tags/disturbed/)'s [David Draiman](https://loudwire.com/tags/david-draiman/) [commented](https://twitter.com/davidmdraiman/status/1507560646975660035), "I’ve seen a lot of live bands in my time and I can honestly say that I have never seen a drummer and guitar player interact in a more jovial, genuine, and entertaining way than how @taylorhawkins and #DaveGrohl did. [Ozzy Osbourne](https://loudwire.com/tags/ozzy-osbourne/), who had just played with Hawkins on his Patient Number 9 album, [stated](https://twitter.com/OzzyOsbourne/status/1507564563964723203), "[He] was truly a great person and an amazing musician.