Taylor Hawkins

"Scientifically, chemistry is defined as the study of substances. Musically, chemistry is defined as that standout, intangible œthing that brings a band together and draws an audience in. In the Foo Fighters, that was Taylor Hawkins.

Taylors first major touring gig was with Sass Jordan which led to touring with then up and coming Canadian singer, Alanis Morissette. Her popularity skyrocketed and for the next two years, the surfer kid from Laguna who loved rock n roll was on his way to being a rock star in his own right. When the opportunity to play in Foo Fighters came about, Taylor jumped at the chance. You could easily say he was obsessed with rock n roll. His heroes were the icons of the 70s and 80s, like Queen, Rush, The Police and Genesis and their influence was evident in his playing. Whether he was behind the kit or fronting his bands Chevy Metal or Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, he brought heat, humor and humility to the stage with him. He could rock a stadium one night and a pizza place the next. He could walk a red carpet and then show up at your door barefoot in board shorts. He was unapologetically honest and opinionated. And he was always trying to be a better musician. He was in the challenging position of playing drums in a band fronted by one of the most famous drummers in the world and he did it with grace, respect for his friend and front man, and with a smile that could light up the darkest arena. He will be missed by so many.

We send our love to Taylors wife and children, to his bandmates and his Foo Fighter family. To his fans around the world, play some Queen or air drum to œTom Sawyer in his honor."

- Kirsten Matt, Zildjian Artist Relations