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Powerful and expressive like no other: Longtime Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawinks (archive image)
Photo: Rich Fury/Getty Images
The past year was a sad one for members and fans of the Foo Fighters: On March 25, the rock band's longtime drummer, Taylor Hawinks, was found dead in a hotel in the Colombian capital of Bogotá.
He was 50 years old.
Police say he had drug residue in his blood.
Whether and how the band would continue has been uncertain since then.
»Building a global community«
Now his former bandmates Rami Jaffee, Dave Grohl, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett and Nate Mendel remembered their longtime drummer in an emotional post on Instagram – and announced that the Foo Fighters will continue to make music:
"The Foo Fighters were formed before April 27th founded years ago to embody the healing power of music (...).
And over the past 27 years, our fans have built a global community, a dedicated system of support that has helped us all get through the darkest of times together,"
the band wrote on Instagram.
Without Hawinks, the musicians continue, they would never have become the band they are today: "And we know that without Taylor we will be a different band in the future."
The band did not give any further details as to when the next shows will be played.
One of the most talented drummers of his generation
Hawkins' death shocked the music world in March.
Hawinks was considered one of the most talented drummers of his generation.
His game was influenced by role models such as Roger Taylor (Queen) and Stewart Copeland (The Police).
Hawinks suffered from insecurities since childhood, which he repeatedly compensated for with drugs.
In 2001, he was in a coma for two weeks after a heroin overdose.
After his death, the band canceled the remaining dates of their world tour.
In the fall, the band organized two »Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts«, one at London's Wembley Stadium and another in Los Angeles.
Proceeds from the concerts benefit charities chosen by Taylor Hawkins' family.
Hawkins has played with the Foo Fighters - one of the most influential and critically acclaimed alternative rock bands - since 1997.
He played drums on some of the group's biggest hits, including "Learn to Fly" and "Best of You."
He previously played drums for Canadian singer Alanis Morissette until frontman Dave Grohl, a former Nirvana drummer himself, poached him.
The band has received several Grammy awards for their music.
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