As the music world mourns the unexpected death of Taylor Hawkins, we take a look back at some of the late rockstar's most memorable musical moments.
Taylor Hawkins was a genuine force of nature who departed the world all too soon but left behind a musical legacy that few will ever match. Hawkins was a rare talent, a drummer's drummer, a sneakily adept multi-instrumentalist with a killer voice and a magnetic personality, Hawkins always wore a smile that lit up any room he entered or stadium he rocked. He has left an indelible imprint on the lives of family, friends and the millions of strangers that call themselves fans. This is the best of Taylor.
The Best Of Taylor - 10 Of Taylor Hawkins Best Musical Moments
Foo Fighters - Rope
The lead single from Foo Fighters' fantastic 2011 record Wasting Light is a prime example of Hawkins unique combination of power, finesse and creativity as a drummer, with a single cowbell hit for a bit of added humour.
Foo Fighters - No Way Back
In a career full of recorded highlights, 2005's In Your Honour might stand as Hawkins best overall performance on a studio album. A percussive force at the peak of his powers, Hawkins propels the record forward, delivering memorable contributions to the likes of In Your Honour, The Best Of You and No Way Back, while also writing, performing and singing Cold Day In The Sun. The last three are present in this list and worthily so, but it is No Way Back that lives longest in the mind, Hawkins drum arrangement and performance on this track are masterful.
Foo Fighters - The Best Of You
A Hawkins masterclass in rock drumming provides the backbone for one of Grohl's best ever performances as a vocalist and songwriter. This track is undeniable and Hawkins is a big part as to why. An absolute standout at every live Fooey's show since the moment it was penned.
Foo Fighters - Cold Day In The Sun
Hawkins mid-set shift to fronting the Foo Fighters for a song or two was always a highlight of Foo Fighters stadium shows, but Hawkins was an accomplished songwriter in his own right and Cold Day In The Sun is an example of those talents.
Coheed and Cambria - Gravemakers & Gunslingers
When contractual issues relating to Chris Pennie's previous band The Dillinger Escape Plan, prevented him from contributing the parts he'd written to Coheed and Cambria's No World For Tomorrow, Hawkins did what very few on this planet would be capable of doing, and took on the responsibility of tracking Pennie's arrangements, absolutely nailing it. On an album full of chaotic drumming performances, Gravemakers & Gunslingers stands out. Brilliant.
Foo Fighters - Times Like These
One of the Foo Fighters' biggest hits is also one of their most deceptively complex, rhythmically. Recorded in a 7/4 time signature, Hawkins manages to pack the song full of punch despite its somewhat softer, prog-ballad nature.
Foo Fighters - The Pretender
This big ol' rock belter is an amazing showcase of all the ways that Hawkins was the only drummer that it ever made sense to have play drums for Dave Grohl. From the moment he joins the song at the 31-sec mark, Hawkins puts on a clinic on how to power the quiet/loud formula, driving the song's verses and chorus with power and precision. This song wouldn't be all that it is without him in behind the throne.
Foo Fighters - Breakout
For all the winners on There Is Nothing Left To Lose this is the one with the most off-the-wall drumming from Hawkins, who basically condenses a bunch of his favourite styles into one, tightly constructed arrangement in service to the banger of a song.
Foo Fighters - Stacked Actors
The world got their first recorded taste of what Foo Fighters would sound like with someone other than Dave Grohl playing the drums on Nothing Left To Lose and its safe to say we (and Grohl) liked what we heard because he was firmly sat behind the kit for the next 23 years, One listen to Stacked Actors makes it crystal clear why, between the bosa nova groove of the verses, the pure rock power of the chorus, Hawkins absolutely shows out. This one always went off live.
Alanis Morissette - You Oughta Know (Live)
Taylor Hawkins got his first real crack at rockstardom as the drummer for Alanis Morissette's live band and while most Maniacs never got to see him thumping the tubs for for Morisette live, we can experience the brilliance of it thanks to 1997's Jagged Little Pill Live release. Hawkins brings the angsty, rage-filled anti-love song to life with his thunderous performance, meshing brilliantly with Morissette's unique, emotive and undeniably powerful vocal performance. This is where the Taylor Hawkins we all came to know and love started to show himself.
Bonus round
Drum Solo - Rock In Rio 2019
Of course we could have chosen many more examples of Hawkins brilliance, but we had to stop somewhere, so we'll finish off this top ten with a bonus eleventh entry in the form of Hawkins drum solo from the Foo Fighters performance at Rock In Rio in 2019.
Hawkins last known recorded output was the Foo Fighters 2021 record Medicine At Midnight. He was last seen in Australia playing a massive one-off show at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, Victoria, earlier this month where he was his usual energetic, captivating self, dominating behind the kit and then leading the crowd in a massive cover of Queen's Somebody To Love on vocals. You can watch fan footage of that same Somebody To Love cover from his last ever show at Argentina's Lollapalooza event on March 20th, 2022.
Foo Fighters have cancelled all scheduled performances including their planned Australian/NZ tour in December as they mourn the death of their friend.
Listen to Taylor Hawkins
