Taylor Hawkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Taylor Hawkins
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Hawkins performing with Foo Fighters in 2017
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Oliver Taylor Hawkins |
| Born | February 17, 1972 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
| Origin | Laguna Beach, California, U.S. |
| Died | March 25, 2022 (aged 50) Bogotá, Colombia |
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| Occupation(s) | Musician |
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| Years active | 1990–2022 |
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Oliver Taylor Hawkins (born February 17, 1972 – died March 25, 2022) was an American musician. He was most famous as the drummer for the rock band Foo Fighters. He recorded eight studio albums with them between 1999 and 2021.
Before joining Foo Fighters in 1997, he toured as a drummer for Sass Jordan and Alanis Morissette. He was also the drummer for the band Sylvia.
In 2004, Hawkins started his own band called Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders. He played drums and sang lead vocals for this group. They released three studio albums. In 2020, he formed the supergroup NHC with Dave Navarro and Chris Chaney. He was the lead singer and drummer for this band too.
Taylor Hawkins was honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. This was for his work as a member of Foo Fighters. In 2005, a British drumming magazine called Rhythm named him "Best Rock Drummer." He passed away at age 50 on March 25, 2022, in Bogotá, Colombia.
Contents
Early Life and Growing Up
Oliver Taylor Hawkins was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 17, 1972. His family moved to Laguna Beach, California, in 1976. This is where Taylor grew up. He was the youngest of three children. He had an older brother, Jason, and an older sister, Heather.
Taylor graduated from Laguna Beach High School in 1990. He was friends with Jon Davison, who later became the lead singer for the band Yes.
Music Career
Starting Out in Music
Before joining famous acts, Hawkins played in a band called Sylvia. This band was based in Orange County. After that, he became the drummer for singer Sass Jordan.
From 1995 to 1997, Taylor was the touring drummer for Alanis Morissette. He played on her "Jagged Little Pill" tour. He also appeared in her music videos for songs like "You Oughta Know" and "You Learn". You can see him in her live concert video from 1997.
Joining Foo Fighters
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In 1997, the band Foo Fighters was recording their second album. Their drummer at the time left the band. Dave Grohl, the band's leader, called Taylor Hawkins. Grohl wanted Taylor to suggest a new drummer. To Grohl's surprise, Taylor offered to join the band himself! He said he wanted to be a drummer in a rock band.
The Foo Fighters announced Taylor as their new drummer on March 18, 1997. His first appearance with the band was in the music video for "Monkey Wrench."
Taylor did more than just drum for Foo Fighters. He also sang, played guitar, and played piano on different songs. He sang lead vocals on a cover of Pink Floyd's "Have a Cigar." He also sang on the Foo Fighters' song "Cold Day in the Sun." Later, he sang lead on "Sunday Rain" from their 2017 album. He often sang lead on cover songs during live shows, like Queen's "Somebody To Love." Taylor also helped write many of the band's songs.
Taylor's last performance with Foo Fighters was at the Lollapalooza Argentina festival. This was on March 20, 2022. After his passing, Foo Fighters won three Grammys on April 3, 2022.
Other Music Projects
In 2006, Taylor released an album with his side band, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders. They released two more albums in 2010 and 2019. He sometimes played with a Police cover band called "The Cops" or "Fallout."
Taylor also played drums for other artists. He recorded drums for the band Coheed and Cambria's album in 2007. He also played on songs by Eric Avery and Kerry Ellis. Taylor and Dave Grohl shared drumming duties on an album by Foo Fighters bandmate Chris Shiflett.
Taylor worked with members of the band Queen. He played drums on a song for Queen guitarist Brian May's solo album. He also sang backing vocals on a Queen song called "C-lebrity." In 2019, he helped finish an old song by Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson. This song also featured Brian May and Roger Taylor.
In 2013, Taylor formed a rock cover band called Chevy Metal. He also appeared on Slash's solo album in 2010. In 2013, Taylor acted in the movie CBGB, playing the role of Iggy Pop.
In 2014, Taylor started a new project called The Birds of Satan. This band included his drum technician, Wiley Hodgden, and guitarist Mick Murphy. Their first album came out in April 2014.
Taylor invited many famous musicians to play on his albums. These included LeAnn Rimes, Roger Taylor, Brian May, Dave Grohl, Nancy Wilson, Joe Walsh, and Chrissie Hynde. In 2021, Taylor played drums on a song for Elton John's album.
In 2021, Taylor, Dave Navarro, and Chris Chaney formed a supergroup called NHC. Taylor described their sound as a mix of Rush and the Faces. They played their first live show in September 2021.
Taylor also starred as himself in the comedy horror movie Studio 666, which came out in February 2022. He also played drums on some songs for Ozzy Osbourne's 2022 album.
Musical Influences
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Taylor Hawkins said his drumming was mostly influenced by classic rock drummers. Some of his biggest inspirations were Phil Collins from Genesis and Stewart Copeland from The Police. He also looked up to Budgie of Siouxsie and the Banshees, Roger Taylor of Queen, Stephen Perkins, Ringo Starr of The Beatles, Jim Gordon, Neil Peart of Rush, and Alex Van Halen of Van Halen.
Taylor once was a guest editor for Rhythm magazine. For that issue, he interviewed some of his drumming heroes like Phil Collins, Stewart Copeland, Roger Taylor, and Stephen Perkins.
He said that listening to Roger Taylor and Stewart Copeland helped him understand different drumming styles. When he was young, he would play along to songs on the radio or records. This helped him improve his skills.
Drumming Equipment
Throughout his career, Taylor Hawkins used different drum brands. These included Ludwig Drums and Tama Drums. Most notably, he used Gretsch Drums from 2005 until his death. He also used Zildjian Cymbals.
Personal Life
Taylor Hawkins married his wife, Alison, in 2005. They had three children together. The family lived in Hidden Hills, California, after moving there in 2012.
Passing and Tributes
On March 25, 2022, Taylor Hawkins was in Bogotá, Colombia. He was scheduled to perform with the Foo Fighters that evening. He complained of chest pains, and emergency services were called to his hotel room. Sadly, he was found unresponsive and passed away at the scene at age 50.
Tribute Concerts
The Foo Fighters announced Taylor's passing on social media. They said his "musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever." The band then canceled all their upcoming shows. On the night he passed, the festival stage where Foo Fighters were to play became a candlelight vigil for him.
On June 8, 2022, Foo Fighters and Taylor's family announced two special tribute concerts. The first concert was held at Wembley Stadium in London on September 3, 2022. Many famous musicians joined Foo Fighters on stage. These included Travis Barker, Liam Gallagher, Paul McCartney, and members of Queen and Rush. Taylor's son, Oliver Shane Hawkins, played drums with the band during their song "My Hero." This concert was streamed live for fans around the world. Shane Hawkins later won an award for his drumming at this performance.
The second tribute concert took place in Inglewood, California, on September 27, 2022. Many artists from the London show returned. New guests included Jack Black, Miley Cyrus, Joan Jett, and Alanis Morissette.
Discography
Alanis Morissette
- Jagged Little Pill, Live (1997)
Foo Fighters
- There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999)
- One by One (2002)
- In Your Honor (2005)
- Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007)
- Wasting Light (2011)
- Sonic Highways (2014)
- Saint Cecilia (2015)
- Concrete and Gold (2017)
- Medicine at Midnight (2021)
Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders
- Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders (2006)
- Red Light Fever (2010)
- Get the Money (2019)
The Birds of Satan
- The Birds of Satan (2014)
NHC
- Feed The Cruel/Better Move On (Single) (2021)
- Devil That You Know/Lazy Eyes (Single) (2021)
- Intakes & Outtakes (EP) (2022)
Images for kids
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Hawkins in 2012
See also
In Spanish: Taylor Hawkins para niños
