Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins DEAD at 50 as the rock band says they are ‘devastated’ by the ‘untimely death’

FOO Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has died suddenly at the age of 50, the band said in a statement on Friday night.

Due to the shocking death, which the band called an “unimaginable” loss, their scheduled performance on Saturday at the Picnic Stereo Festival in Bogota, Colombia has been canceled.

The Foo Fighters announced the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins on FridayGetty Images – Getty

On Friday, the Foo Fighters released a statement on social media announcing Taylor’s death.

The Twitter post read: “The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins.

“His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.”

The statement continued: “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 of the band, as well as Taylor, flocked to the replies to show their support.

One user tweeted: “Terrible news. So sorry.”

Another wrote: “We are devastated by this. Our hearts go out to his family & Foo brothers.”

A third responded: “Is this real? What?”

The Foo Fighters did not immediately reveal a cause of death.

With the announcement, the Twitter account for Picnic Stereo Fest – a major musical event in Colombia which the band was due to perform at on Friday – confirmed that the Foo Fighters would not take the stage.

A rep for the band told Rolling Stone that the band is currently on tour in South America.

TRIBUTES TO TAYLOR

Shortly after his death was made public, tributes to Taylor began pouring in on social media.

One Twitter user wrote: “RIP Taylor Hawkins.

“A beautiful man that brought joy to so many.”

Another wrote: “In absolute shock & disbelief over the passing of Taylor Hawkins. I’ve always had so much admiration for him.

“Amazing drummer & a gem of a guy who was always fun to be around. I’m absolutely gutted…my deepest condolences to his bandmates & family.”

A third fan tweeted: “Can’t even begin to describe the impact Taylor Hawkins drumming had to Foo. The Foo Fighters we know today wouldn’t be here without him.

“RIP to a legend. He’ll be missed.”

HIS LEGACY

In addition to being a longstanding member of the Foo Fighters, Taylor played the drums with some other prolific artists in his career.

He drummed with Alanis as she toured at the height of her career in the 90s.

Taylor appeared in an episode of HBO’s Music Box written about the Ironic songstress, recalling his time in her band.

It was in 1997, after the Foo Fighters lost their original drummer, William Goldsmith, that he joined the band.