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Taylor Hawkins, the late drummer of Foo Fighters, has been remembered in the first of two shows which took place in London. Wembley Stadium played host to the memorial gig, welcoming fans and a full line-up of A-list musicians who gathered to pay tribute.
The Foo Fighters website published a touching statement announcing the gigs that read:
“Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear and Rami Jaffee will come together with the Hawkins family to celebrate the life, music and love of their husband, father, brother and bandmate with The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts.
As one of the most respected and beloved figures in modern music, Taylor’s monolithic talent and magnetic personality endeared him to millions of fans, peers, friends and fellow musical legends the world over. Millions mourned his untimely passing on March 25, with passionate and sincere tributes coming from fans as well as musicians Taylor idolized. The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts will unite several of those artists, the Hawkins family and of course his Foo Fighters brothers in celebration of Taylor’s memory and his legacy as a global rock icon—his bandmates and his inspirations playing the songs that he fell in love with, and the ones he brought to life.”
The UK show welcomed an impressive lineup that included Sir Paul McCartney, AC/DC, Queen, Liam Gallagher, Chrissie Hynde, Metallica, The Police’s Stewart Copeland, Rush, Supergrass, Ke$ha, Justin Hawkins from The Darkness, and more.
Those who couldn’t make it sent touching video messages, and these included appearances from Elton John, RHCP drummer Chad Smith, and Billie Eilish. A rotation of drumming legends performed throughout the show, which featured Travis Barker from Blink-182, as well as young up and coming star Nandi Bushell, whose drum battle with Dave Grohl went viral, and appearances from Roger Taylor’s son Rufus, and most poignantly Taylor Hawkins’ 16 year old son Shane.
The epic concert ran for over 6 hours, feeling more like a festival event, and marked a highly emotional day for all, with Grohl saying to the crowd:
“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?'”
The second of the two Hawkins tribute concerts will take place at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, on 27th September. The lineup for the LA show is set feature some of the same artists, but will have a few changes, though it is equally as star-studded. Miley Cyrus, Pink, Travis Barker, Nikki Sixx, and Alanis Morissette are just a few names that will join the US show.
Proceeds from both shows will benefit Music Support and MusiCares.
Music Support, the charity that provides help and support for those who work in all aspects of the UK music industry and live events affected by mental ill-health and/or addiction, are incredibly grateful, touched, honoured and privileged to have been chosen as one of the beneficiary charities for these amazing shows.
MusiCares helps the humans behind the music, because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community encompassing three key areas: Mental Health & Addition Recovery Services, Health Services and Human Services.
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Michelle is a musician and composer from the UK. She has performed across the UK and Europe and is passionate about arts education and opportunities for women and girls.
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