TAYLOR HAWKINS

Today has been a very strange day. Last night after my shower i put on a clean t shirt , only wearing it briefly I decided I could wear it still today. Its an old UK Ozzfest shirt, on the back is the list of bands that played. Its the only shirt I own with Foo Fighters on and the only time I saw them.

Then as I was checking social media before putting the shirt on I saw the news saying their drummer, Taylor Hawkins had died aged just 50. Being a rock and heavy metal fan i know this can happen but is much more rare then some think. Also the sex, drugs and rock and roll life style seems to have worn off by now. I am ignoring the wild rumours and conjecture over what happened.

Whatever happened he was a husband, father and a famous musician . His image is on millions of walls, millions of t shirt s and in the memories of millions of fans. He was a very talented drummer, guitarist and a song writer. He had to be a great drummer as he was hired to play behind a very, very good one. In deed at most foo fighter concerts Taylor and Dave Grohl swopped roles so that Dave was back behind the drums.

Taylor mentioned in an interview I heard today how it was such a thrill to play with someone he admired so much. Indeed he played for 22 years with the band and was due to play another 3 hour monster set today in Bogatoa.

To show how he was thought of my social media is full of tributes and comments on the person he was. Many from bands who bear little relationship with the foo fighters musically. Thrash metal bands and performers from many genres.

The band are famous for quirky and funny videos for the songs and Taylor always seemed happy to play the hero or the fool, whatever was needed. The band were always happy to make themselves look silly, whatever fitted the songs. Even with epic videos for the likes "Learning to fly" and " The pretender"

Taylor and his part time band the coattail riders recorded songs he wrote while on tour with his main job. He said himself that a drummer that can write songs and play other instruments can be a better group member. He understood when to let someone else have the spotlight, when to be the focus and to better understand someone else's songs.

I am reading more and more theories as I write this and look up details. He suffered an overdose and was in a 2 week coma many years ago so many jump to the conclusion of a drugs link. The statement from the relevant authorities states the ambulance was called due to a patient with chest pains.

He was an adult with a love for life, however he lived it was up to him. He had traversed the world many times, entertained millions and earned a good few million. obviously his death was massively premature but he had lived his dream life. He died on tour, between gigs that had sold thousands of tickets and would have entertained thousands.

Its an enviable position to reach the level of fame and fortune he had achieved. Listening to interviews today he admitted it was often hard work but the rewards were so big you carried on. He made millions happy and spent 22 years playing with world class musicians round the world.

The video of the last time he played live includes the last time he took lead vocals on the almost mandatory Queen cover. Ironically the final song he sung before adoring thousands was "somebody to love"