Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has died at the age of 50, the band has confirmed in a statement.
Hawkins died on Friday, March 25, although no cause of death has yet been confirmed.
The band are currently in Bogota, Colombia, as part of a tour that was due to take in the UK this summer, with stadium shows in London, Birmingham and Manchester.
A statement from Foo Fighters read:
"The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins. 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 ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time."
Foo Fighters are one of the most successful US rock bands of the past three decades, with Hawkins’s powerhouse drumming style a hallmark of the band’s sound. He joined the band in 1997, having previously been a touring drummer with Alanis Morissette. Throughout his time with the Foo Fighters, he became more than just a musician and alongside frontman Dave Grohl, embodied the personality and character of the band.
His final performance came at the Lollapalooza festival in Argentina on March 20, where he sang the lead on a cover of Queen's Somebody to Love.
The music world has been paying tribute to the late drummer since news of his death surfaced.
Ozzy Osbourne tweeted that Hawkins "was truly a great person and an amazing musician".
"My heart, my love and my condolences go out to his wife, his children, his family, his band and his fans. See you on the other side..."
Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello tweeted: “God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend.”
Kiss's Gene Simmons said he was "shocked and saddened", while the Smashing Pumpkins tweeted "deepest sympathies to Taylor's family, his fans, and of course his band".
Billie Eilish's brother and collaborator, Finneas, said he was "heartbroken" and described Hawkins as "an incredible talent".
Nickelback tweeted: “In utter disbelief at the news of Taylor Hawkins. Our deepest condolences to his family, his bandmates, his team, his friends and everyone that was ever touched by the music he created with @foofighters @Alanis and so many others. This is so incredibly sad.”
US pop punk band The Offspring also tweeted: “Shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of one of rock’s greatest drummers. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Taylor Hawkins tonight.”
Producer and engineer Steve Albini, who worked with Grohl on Nirvana’s final studio album In Utero, tweeted: “Taylor Hawkins was a terrific drummer with a gorgeous disposition, seemed always to be having the time of his life. I didn't know him well but I know music is lessened by his passing, made duller and smaller. Requiescat.”
PHOTO: AP
