Foo Fighters stage emotional tribute concert for drummer Taylor Hawkins

LONDON — It was an emotional night at London’s Wembley Stadium as the Foo Fighters paid tribute to their late drummer, Taylor Hawkins, on Saturday night.

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Frontman Dave Grohl fought back tears as the band played its first show since Hawkins, 50, died on March 25, the BBC reported. The drummer was found dead in a hotel room in Colombia, shortly before the Foo Fighters were due to play a festival in Bogotá.

Grohl was singing “Times Like These” on Saturday when he paused on the lyric, “It’s times like these you learn to love again.”

It was the first of two Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts the band will host, with a second show set for Los Angeles later this month, Variety reported.

Musicians on stage joining the Foo Fighters included members of Metallica, Queen, Paul McCartney, AC/DC, Nile Rodgers and Liam Gallagher, Deadline reported.

Gallagher opened the show with a rendition of Oasis’ “Rock And Roll Star,” according to the BBC. Grohl took the drums for the song and for “Live Forever,” Variety reported.

McCartney was a surprise addition to the lineup, singing The Beatles’ song “Helter Skelter” and singing a duet with Chrissie Hynde on “Oh! Darling.”

“A song I haven’t performed since we recorded it 100 years ago,” McCartney quipped.

Nandi Bushell, 12, who went viral after challenging Grohl to a drum battle during the COVID-19 pandemic, sat in on the drums during “Learn To Fly,” the BBC reported.

Other musicians who took Hawkins’ chair at drums included Blink-182′s Travis Barker, and Roger Taylor’s son, Rufus Taylor, the news outlet reported.

Hawkins’ 16-year-old son, Shane Hawkins, also played drums, giving an emotionally charged performance on “My Hero.”

“The last few days we have been asking ourselves the same question after every rehearsal: ‘I wonder what Taylor would think of this -- to see all of these amazing people together making music?’” Grohl told the crowd at one point, again struggling to control his emotions.

Queen, who was Taylor Hawkins’ favorite band, played some of their biggest hits, including “We Will Rock You” and “Somebody To Love,” the BBC reported.

Queen guitarist Brian May then led the crowd in an acoustic version of “Love Of My Life.”

The concert was streamed worldwide on MTV’s YouTube channels, with one-hour specials to follow Sunday, Deadline reported. Paramount+ screened the show in the U.S. and it will be available on demand internationally.

A second Hawkins tribute concert is set for Los Angeles’ Kia Forum on Sept. 27, Rolling Stone reported. Proceeds from both shows will benefit Music Support and MusiCares.

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