I saw the news late last night that Taylor Hawkins had died at the age of 50. Perhaps like you, I said out loud to my wife "Holy **** Taylor Hawkins has died." It's that feeling of shock that radiates in your chest when hearing news like this that grabs your breath and takes it away. Tragic and unexpected, the band released the news late Friday night as the Foo Fighters were in Bogota, Colombia on tour and Hawkins had mentioned chest pains to hotel staff.
Taylor Hawkins played drums for Alanis Morissette when he got the nod to join the Foo Fighters in 1997 and has been crushing it ever since. Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame? Check. Dave Grohl had mentioned several years ago that he didn't miss playing the drums b/c he had the greatest drummer in the world with Taylor along with his best friend.
The power of music yet again leaves me feeling sad, heartbroken for his family and the band. I never got the chance to meet Taylor Hawkins but have seen the band live and am an owner of all of their music. It's the music that bonds all of us to the ones that play it. Don't you feel like you know Taylor Hawkins, Dave Grohl, James Hetfield or any other superstars that you love? I do too b/c of the connection through their music or a live performance. I can't imagine what his family is going through right now or the rest of the band. This is a super sad day on many levels. 50 is way to young to die. His friends, family, his band and fans like you and me will mourn his loss for sure but are also fortunate that we can break out loads of music with the sounds of his drums being smashed all over it as we remember him.
R.I.P.