The Foo Fighters will continue, but as a “different group” after the death of Taylor Hawkins

London
CNN
—

The Foo Fighters will continue as a band following the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins last year, although it is a “different” band, they said.

In a statement posted to Instagram over the weekend, the rock band called 2022 “the most difficult and tragic year” they’ve had.

They said they were grateful for “the people we love and cherish the most, and for the loved ones who are no longer with us”.

“(We) were formed 27 years ago to represent the healing power of music and a continuation of life,” the band wrote, adding that fans have built “a global community, a dedicated support system who got us all through the darkest times.” of times together.

Hawkins died last March, aged 50, in Colombia while on tour. At the time, the Foo Fighters tweeted “His musical spirit and contagious laughter will live with us all forever.”

In this latest post, they paid tribute to their former drummer, saying, “Without Taylor, we would never have become the band we were – and without Taylor, we know we’re going to be a different band in the future.”

“He will be there in spirit with us every night,” they added.

Hawkins played drums for Alanis Morissette before joining the Foo Fighters in 1997 – three years after frontman Dave Grohl founded the band.

In September – six months after his passing – the Foo Fighters played at Wembley Stadium in London in a star-studded celebratory event in Hawkins’ honour. Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher and Brian May were among the biggest names in music to appear at the concert.

As for the band’s performance, Hawkins’ son, Oliver Shane Hawkins, who was 16, joined them, taking the drumsticks for a rendition of their song “My Hero.”

The Foo Fighters held a second tribute in Los Angeles later that month.