In Memoriam
Taylor Hawkins
February 17, 1972 – March 25, 2022 · aged 50
Alternative Rock · Hard Rock
Oliver Taylor Hawkins was the fiercely energetic, perpetually grinning heartbeat of the Foo Fighters. Born in Texas in 1972 and raised in California, he first rose to prominence as the touring drummer for Alanis Morissette during her 'Jagged Little Pill' era. In 1997, he joined the Foo Fighters, forging a legendary musical partnership and an unbreakable, brotherly bond with frontman Dave Grohl. Hawkins was a relentlessly physical drummer, combining the brutal power of heavy metal with the swinging groove of 1970s classic rock. With his blonde hair thrashing behind the kit, his infectious joy and staggering stamina made him one of the most beloved figures in modern rock. He occasionally stepped up to the microphone to sing lead, channeling his idol Freddie Mercury. Shockingly, while on tour in South America, Hawkins was found dead in his hotel room in Bogotá, Colombia, on March 25, 2022, at the age of 50. His sudden passing shattered the rock community.
Milestones
Best of You, The Pretender, Learn to Fly
Also remembered in 2022
- Christine McVie (1943–2022)
- Coolio (1963–2022)
- Jerry Lee Lewis (1935–2022)
- Meat Loaf (1947–2022)