Drummer Oliver Taylor Hawkins died prematurely on the night of March 25, 2022, two days before his performance at Lollapalooza Brazil with the Foo Fighters . Three years after his death, the official cause remains a mystery, as reported by People , which revisited the drummer's final days.
According to Rolling Stone , on the day of his death, Hawkins – who was 50 years old – complained of severe chest pains, and paramedics were sent to his room, but they were unable to revive him and pronounced him dead at the hotel.
The toxicology report released by the Colombian Attorney General's Office indicated the presence of 10 different substances in the drummer's body at the time of his death, suggesting an overdose. Forensic doctors also stated that his heart was twice its normal size and could have collapsed without the use of medication. The official cause of the drummer's death has not yet been declared.
Taylor survived a heroin overdose in 2001, and close friends claimed he was not using drugs recreationally at the time of his death. The drummer had given statements to the press years earlier saying he preferred to perform sober "to get good results." He also told Rolling Stone the previous year that he had a "big" heart and that he struggled with stage fright and sleep apnea.
Taylor's final days were the subject of a Rolling Stone article , which spoke with friends of the drummer who claimed that the musician seemed tired and dissatisfied with the band.
Our condolences and admiration to Taylor Hawkins
The former drummer of the Foo Fighters died in his room at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bogotá, Colombia, just hours before the band was scheduled to perform at the Estéreo Picnic . The Foo Fighters were touring South America, with a performance scheduled for Lollapalooza Brazil that year. The Colombian Attorney General's Office never released an official cause of death, leading many fans to wonder what happened to the legendary drummer.
The news of Taylor Hawkins' death was met with sorrow and shock. Two months after his death, over a thousand musicians gathered to play a special version of "My Hero" in his honor. Two tribute concerts for the drummer took place in the year of his death, on September 3rd in London at Wembley Stadium, and on September 27th in Los Angeles at the Kia Forum. More than 50 artists performed, including Morissette, Joan Jett, Miley Cyrus, Sebastian Bach, Geddy Lee , and guest drummers such as Travis Barker, Tommy Lee, Chad Smith, and his bandmate Dave Grohl .
READ ALSO: Watch the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert live now; find out how.
