The Foo Fighters will continue, but as a "different band" after the death of Taylor Hawkins

Toxicology analysis of drummer Taylor Hawkins released 2:41

(CNN) --

The Foo Fighters will continue as a band after the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins last year, but it will be a "different" group, they said.

In a statement posted to Instagram over the weekend, the rock band called 2022 "the most difficult and tragic year" they had known.

We are grateful for "the people we love and appreciate the most, and for the loved ones who are no longer with us," they added.

• The Foo Fighters paid tribute to drummer Taylor Hawkins in an emotional concert in London

"(We) formed 27 years ago to represent the healing power of music and a continuation of life," the band wrote, adding that fans had built "a worldwide community, a devoted support system" that has "helped them together to overcome the darkest moments".

Hawkins died last March, at age 50, in Colombia, while on tour.

At the time, the Foo Fighters tweeted: "Her musical spirit and infectious laugh will live with all of us forever."

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In this latest post, they paid tribute to their former drummer saying, "Without Taylor, we never would have become the band we were. And without Taylor, we know we're going to be a different band moving forward."

"He will be there in spirit with all of us every night," they added.

Foo Fighters drummer found dead in Colombia 3:37

Hawkins played drums for Alanis Morissette before joining the Foo Fighters in 1997, three years after Dave Grohl founded the group.

In September, six months after his death, the Foo Fighters played London's Wembley Stadium as part of a star-studded tribute to Hawkins.

Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher and Brian May were some of the big names in music that appeared at the concert.

When it was time for the band's performance, Hawkins's son, 16-year-old Oliver Shane Hawkins, joined them, taking drumsticks for a rendition of their song "My Hero".

The Foo Fighters held a second tribute in Los Angeles later that month.

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