Musicians, celebrities and rockstars are mourning the death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, whose death was announced Friday evening. He was 50.
The band didn’t disclose a cause of death in its social media announcement, calling Hawkins’ death “tragic and untimely.”
“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,” read the band’s statement.
Stevie Nicks paid tribute to Hawkins alongside black-and-white photos of the two.
“Taylor was very handsome and he was very cute,” she wrote. “Sometimes that combination is way better than ‘beautiful.’ I think it’s everything. He had a huge heart and a glorious smile. When he walked in the room, everyone looked up. When he left the room, everyone was sad…”
The Fleetwood Mac singer ended her post with a touching poem about losing her friend: “I am sad now / I am really sad / It’s like rolling thunder / Yes, that’s what I said,” one verse read.
First lady Jill Biden also mourned the “ferocious drummer, dedicated father, and dear friend gone far too soon.”
“Sending love to Taylor Hawkins’ family and fans of the Foo Fighters everywhere,” she wrote.
Actor John Stamos shared what he said was the last text message he and the drummer shared, which was a poignant message about spending time together “before we die.”
Stamos, whose close friend Bob Saget died this year, wrote on Twitter: “Another one gone too soon.”
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger wrote on Twitter: “So incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Taylor Hawkins. My thoughts are with his family and the band at this time.”
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Rage Against the Machine rocker Tom Morello posted a selfie with him and Hawkins writing on Twitter, “God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend.”
Fellow drummer Questlove called Hawkins the “coolest dude ever” in tribute.
“I’m so sad about this man. coolest dude ever. god bless & comfort his family, his bandmates, his friends & all his loved ones. Taylor Hawkins. Rest In Beats. #TaylorHawkins,” he wrote.
Hawkins joined Foo Fighters in 1997, taking over for original drummer William Goldsmith. On Friday, the band was scheduled to play at the Festival Estéreo Picnic in Bogotá, Colombia. Their next show was scheduled for Lollapalooza Brasil in São Paulo, Brazil on Sunday, and they were also set to perform at the April 3 Grammy Awards.
Guns N’ Roses lead vocalist Axl Rose wrote that he was looking forward to seeing him at the Rockville Festival where both he and Foo Fighters are slated to perform.
“Shocked n’ saddened to hear of the passing of Taylor Hawkins.He was a really great guy, drummer n’ family man. Was always great to see him!Was looking forward to seeing him n’ everyone in Daytona,” he wrote. “Truly saddened.”
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After Dave Grohl, Hawkins was the most recognizable Foo Fighters member, appearing alongside the lead singer in interviews and playing prominent, usually comic, roles in the band’s memorable videos and their recent horror-comedy film, “Studio 666.”
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In Grohl’s 2021 book “The Storyteller,” he called Hawkins his “brother from another mother, my best friend, a man for whom I would take a bullet.”
“Upon first meeting, our bond was immediate, and we grew closer with every day, every song, every note that we ever played together,” Grohl wrote. “We are absolutely meant to be, and I am grateful that we found each other in this lifetime.”
Contributing: Charlie Trepany, USA TODAY; The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Taylor Hawkins death: Axl Rose, Questlove mourn Foo Fighters drummer