Foo Fighters is searching for a replacement for late drummer Taylor Hawkins as they prepare to return on tour a year after his death.
The band, led by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, plans to launch a tour of the United States and Canada beginning in the summer, sources said. Sun.
They also shared that the band has narrowed the search for Hawkins’ replacement to two well-regarded drummers: Pearl Jam’s Matt Cameron and Against Me!’s Atom Willard.
The hit alt-rock band has reportedly been auditioning a number of drummers ahead of their June 18 headline slot at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, as well as subsequent tour dates.
Hawkins died on March 25, 2022 at age 50 in his hotel room in Bogotá, Colombia, just hours before his performance with Foo Fighters.
On The Road Again: Foo Fighters Are Looking For A Replacement For Late Drummer Taylor Hawkins As They Prepare To Return On Tour One Year After His Death; Grohl and Hawkins seen on February 26, 2022
Gone Too Soon: Hawkins died on March 25, 2022 in his hotel room in Bogotá, Colombia, just hours before performing with Foo Fighters. He had multiple substances in his system and had an enlarged heart, but no cause of death was announced; seen in 2014
After taking time to mourn Hawkins and remember him with tribute concerts, Foo Fighters are ready to solidify a new lineup for the upcoming tour and festivals.
“The Foos have been working with a number of musicians close to Taylor and the band over the past few months,” a source told The Sun. “Matt and Atom are favorites to play drums at concerts, the first of which is in May.”
The band seems ready to turn on and off with the drummers.
“Mostly it will be Matt, but Atom will be in rotation with him. They have both been rehearsing at Studio 606, the Foo’s studio,” the source added.
Cameron doesn’t currently have any tour dates scheduled with his band Pearl Jam, but there’s no indication at this time that he plans to leave the grunge rock giant, and Willard also appears to be a full-time member of Against Me. .
“Matt was great friends with Taylor and is very close to Foos frontman Dave Grohl,” the source continued, noting that the Pearl Jam drummer would be a perfect fit for the rock band.
“Final arrangements are being put in place, but it seems very likely that Matt will play those shows in the US in the summer.”
Although Hawkins’ cause of death was not officially released, an initial urine toxicology report indicated that he had 10 substances in his system that could have contributed to his death, including benzodiazepines, opioids, antidepressants, and THC. the psychoactive component of marijuana.
Hawkins, who had survived a heroin overdose years earlier, also had an enlarged heart, according to a preliminary autopsy. The condition may also have contributed to his death.
Close to a decision: The band has narrowed the search for Hawkins’ replacement to two well-regarded drummers: Pearl Jam’s Matt Cameron (pictured in 2021) and Against Me!’s Atom Willard.
Mix and match: The band looks ready to turn on and off with the drummers. “Mostly it will be Matt, but Atom will be in rotation with him. Both have been rehearsing at Studio 606, the Foo’s studio, the source added.
Moving Forward: In December, Grohl and the rest of the Foo Fighters shared a statement on social media pledging to continue acting after Hawkins’ death.
Hawkins noted the larger than normal size of his heart as he spoke with Rolling Stone in June 2021, though he said at the time that his doctor had likened it to an athlete’s heart, suggesting it was not a cause for concern.
In December, Grohl and the rest of the Foo Fighters shared a statement on social media pledging to continue acting after Hawkins’ death.
“Without Taylor,” the band wrote, “we never would have become the band we were, and without Taylor, we know we’re going to be a different band moving forward.”
Concluding their statement, the rock stars wrote: “We also know that you, the fans, meant as much to Taylor as he did to you.” And we know that when we see you again, and we will soon, he will be there in spirit with all of us every night.
