Foo Fighters Cancel All Shows Amid Death Of Laguna Beach Drummer

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, a Laguna Beach native, died on Sunday, prompting the band to cancel all upcoming shows.

The tour was scheduled to begin in late April, with two Los Angeles shows planned for Aug. 18 and Aug. 20.

The drummer reportedly had a toxic cocktail of 10 psychoactive substances and medicines, including marijuana, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines, according to a statement from the Colombia's Prosecutor's Office. The 50-year-old's death while on tour in Columbia Friday shocked the music world and triggered an outpouring of grief for an artist known for his down-to-earth nature and kindness to up-and-coming musicians.

"It is with great sadness that Foo Fighters confirm the cancellation of all upcoming tour dates in light of the staggering loss of our brother Taylor Hawkins," the band posted on its website. "We're sorry for and share in the disappointment that we won't be seeing one another as planned. Instead, let's take this time to grieve, to heal, to pull our loved ones close, and to appreciate all the music and memories we've made together."

Health workers tried to revive him, but were unable to do so. The cause of death was still under investigation.

"It was a band I grew up with. This leaves me empty," Juan Sebastian Anchique, 23, told The Associated Press as he mourned Hawkins outside the hotel.

The band announced the death of the 26-time Grammy nominee and 11-time winner Friday on social media.

"The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins," the announcement said.

"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."

Born Feb. 17, 1972 in Fort Worth, Texas, Hawkins' family moved in 1976 to Laguna Beach, where Hawkins grew up, graduating from Laguna Beach High School in 1990.

Hawkins played in the Orange County-based band Sylvia before becoming the drummer for Canadian rock singer Sass Jordan. From June 1995 until March 1997, Hawkins was Alanis Morissette's drummer on the tour supporting her 1995 album "Jagged Little Pill" and her 1996 "Can't Not" Tour.
Hawkins began his association with Foo Fighters in February 1997 when he replaced William Goldsmith as the band's drummer for its second album, "The Colour and the Shape."

Following the album's release, frontman Dave Grohl called Hawkins to seek recommendations for the band's new drummer. Grohl was under the impression that Hawkins would not leave Morissette's touring band because she was a bigger act than Foo Fighters at the time.

To Grohl's surprise, Hawkins volunteered to join the band himself, explaining that he wanted to be a drummer in a rock band rather than for a solo act. The band announced Hawkins would be the new drummer on March 18, 1997.

The Hidden Hills resident is survived by his wife, Alison, and their three children.