The Heartbreaking Death Of Foo Fighters Drummer Taylor Hawkins

Taylor Hawkins, best known for his role as drummer for the Foo Fighters, has died at the age of 50. As of publication, there are no details available regarding the circumstances of his death. Currently, the band is on its South American tour, and Hawkins' death occurred as they readied for a performance at Estéreo Picnic Festival in Bogotá, Colombia, per Variety. 

While details regarding Hawkins' death are under wraps, the band did release a statement via Twitter confirming his passing. "The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins," the band's message read. "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."

Fans immediately liked, retweeted, and replied to the band's tweet with droves of them expressing their sorrow and condolences on Hawkins' untimely passing. Celebrities, musicians, and fans across social media also shared favorite photos of the drummer performing with his bandmates, including Dave Grohl, Pat Smear, Rami Jaffee, Chris Shiflett, Nate Mendel, and Franz Stahl.

Taylor Hawkins joined the Foo Fighters in 1997, Variety reported. Before his decades-long stint with the alternative rock band, Hawkins served as singer Alanis Morissette's drummer for two years. After drummer William Goldsmith quit amid recording the second Foo Fighters album, "The Colour and the Shape," Hawkins joined the band, launching one of the most high-profile arcs of his career. 

Former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl formed the Foo Fighters in the wake of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain's death. In becoming the Foo Fighters' drummer, Hawkins took on the unenviable task of playing drums alongside Grohl, who is considered one of the greatest rock and roll drummers of all time. He stayed with the band for some 25 years, and in addition to drumming, Hawkins regularly sang during performances. 

The drummer, whose given name was Oliver Taylor Hawkins, was born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1972. The Los Angeles Times reported that Hawkins is survived by Alison, his wife of nearly 17 years, and three children, Oliver Shane, Annebelle, and Everleigh.