The long-time drummer of iconic rock band The Foo Fighters, Taylor Hawkins, has died.
The 50-year-old’s death was announced in a tweet from the band posted at 2pm yesterday (AEDT).
“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” the statement read.
“His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.
“Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we asked that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”
No cause of death was given in the statement.
The band had been scheduled to perform a show tonight in Bogota, Colombia, as part of a worldwide tour.
Colombian police confirmed the death but gave no details. The US Embassy in Bogota expressed its condolences in a tweet.
Police vehicles, an ambulance and fans were gathered outside the hotel in northern Bogota where Hawkins was believed to have been staying.
The band, who played a one-off show in Geelong earlier this month, are scheduled to visit Australia again for five shows in December this year.
Hawkins joined the band in 1997 and was a stalwart member of the group.
The talented drummer was an energetic and charismatic presence on stage, in interviews and in their video clips.
In 2001 he survived a heroin overdose which left him comatose for two weeks.
Before joining The Foo Fighters he was the touring drummer for Alanis Morissette.
He is survived by his wife and three children.
The Foo Fighters were formed by Nirvana star Dave Grohl in the wake of frontman Kurt Cobain’s death.
Hawkins joined the band after the recording of their second album, and remained a core member since.
The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, the first year they were eligible.
--Agencies
