The late Taylor Hawkins is well known as the drummer of the hugely influential rock band, Foo Fighters. However, there’s much more to his career than working with Dave Grohl on chart-topping rock tunes. Let’s take a moment to look at some of Hawkins’ lesser known works.

Taylor Hawkins Death

According to international reports, on 25th March, 2022, emergency services were called to the Casa Medina hotel in Bogotá, Colombia, where Hawkins was suffering from chest pain in his hotel room. Health personnel arrived and found Hawkins unresponsive; they performed CPR, but he was declared dead at the scene. No cause of death was given at the time. However, we’re not here to delve into the circumstances of Hawkins’ passing, but rather the legacy of a life in music.

Taylor Hawkins

Alanis Morissette

Perhaps the most well known of Hawkins’ work outside of Foo Fighters. Taylor Hawkins was the drummer for Alanis Morissette during the peak of her career. He appeared in the videos for You Oughta Know, All I Really Want, and You Learn. He also toured with Morissette and contributed to the Jagged Little Pill Live album. It was at this time that he was approached by Grohl to join the Foo Fighters.

Taylor Hawkins Wasn’t the Foo Fighters’ First Drummer

It’s a frequent misconception. Hawkins become such a fundamental part of the band that many believed he was a founding member. However, the band was original only Grohl with session musicians. William Goldsmith of Sunny Day Real Estate was the drummer who supported Grohl on early recordings of Foo Fighters’ The Colour and The Shape. However, disagreements between Grohl and Goldsmith resulted in the latter leaving the band during recording of the second album. This is when Hawkins became a member of the band.

Speaking to Los Angeles radio station 95.5 Klos, Grohl previously shared:

“When it was time to look for a drummer, I wished that he would do it but I didn’t imagine he would leave Alanis Morissette because at the time she was the biggest artist in the world.

“So when I called him and said, “Hey, I’m looking for a drummer,” he said, “You know I’m your guy” and I think it had more to do with our personal relationship than anything musical.”

Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters
Taylor Hawkins

Hawkins’ Solo Career

In 2006, Hawkins released a self-titled LP with his side project, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders. Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders subsequently released two more studio albums: Red Light Fever in 2010, and Get the Money in 2019. Red Light Fever in particular was well received, with guest musicians Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, Dave Grohl, and Elliot Easton of The Cars. It was recorded at the Foo Fighters’ Studio 606 in California. Hawkins was the drummer and vocalist for the trio.

There’s much more to Hawkins’ musical legacy than meets the surface, such as his work in a Police tribute band, or when he and Jane’s Addiction members Dave Navarro and Chris Chaney formed a ‘supergroup’ called NHC. It’s time to crank up Spotify and give a listen to some of Hawkins’ lesser known projects.

Categories: Music