Am Sonntagmittag gab die Generalstaatsanwaltschaft von Kolumbien ein erstes Statement zum Tod von Taylor Hawkins ab: Der toxikologische Befund habe ergeben, dass bei einem Urintest “zehn verschiedene Substanzen” gefunden worden seien, darunter “THC (Marihuana), trizyklische Antidepressiva, Benzodiazepine und Opioide”. Auf eine Todesursache legten sich die Behörden zunächst nicht fest, man wolle den Fall weiter untersuchen. Die genannten Substanzen könnten auf Drogen und verschreibungspflichtige Medikamente zurückgehen, etwa gegen Angstzustände und starke Schmerzen. Hawkins habe laut den lokalen Behörden vor seinem Tod über Brustschmerzen geklagt.
Mittlerweile ist auch ein Mitschnitt vom letzten Song aufgetaucht, den Taylor Hawkins erst vor wenigen Tagen mit den Foo Fighters live gespielt hatte: Beim Lollapalooza Argentina Festival in Buenos Aires stand die Band am 20. März als Headliner auf der Bühne und spielte zum Abschluss wie so oft den Klassiker “Everlong”. Die Ansage von Dave Grohl schmerzt unter den gegebenen Umständen: “Ich sage nicht ‘Auf Wiedersehen’, ich mag es nicht, ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ zu sagen. Weil ich weiß, dass wir immer wiederkommen werden. Wenn ihr wiederkommt, kommen wir auch wieder.”
Die Reaktionen auf die Todesmeldung sind gewaltig: Unzählige VISIONS-Musiker:innen und andere Wegbegleiter:innen von Hawkins teilten in den Sozialen Medien Bilder und Erinnerungen. Der einhellige Tenor: Hawkins sei nicht nur ein sehr talentierter Schlagzeuger gewesen, sondern auch eine ausgesprochen zugängliche, fröhliche und freundliche Persönlichkeit – ein guter Freund und Typ. Insbesondere Drum-Größen aus allen Genres verneigten sich vor ihrem Kollegen, etwa Ringo Starr, Travis Barker, Lars Ulrich, Questlove und Slipknot-Schlagzeuger Jay Weinberg. Auffällig war zugleich die große Zahl musikalischer Schwergewichte, die sich äußerten, zum Beispiel Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Brian Wilson, Axl Rose, Tom Morello, Gene Simmons, Johnny Marr, Rush, Stevie Nicks und Steven Tyler.
Diverse Acts erwiesen Hawkins auch direkt auf der Bühne die Ehre: Liam Gallagher widmete dem Verstorbenen bei einem Auftritt in London den Oasis-Song “Live Forever” und blendete sein Porträt auf einer Leinwand ein, Slash sprach in Orlando davon, einen “engen Freund” verloren zu haben, auch so unterschiedliche Künstler:innen wie Wolfgang Van Halen und seine Band, Underoath, Elton John, Daughtry und Popsängerin Miley Cyrus erwähnten Hawkins bei Shows teils emotional und widmeten ihm Songs.
Tweet: Generalstaatsanwaltschaft Kolumbiens zu Substanzen im Körper von Taylor Hawkins
#ATTENTION: Official statement from the Colombian Attorney Generals Office regarding the death of foreign citizen Taylor Hawkins, drummer of the band Foo Fighters. pic.twitter.com/KnjOSOE8g2
Fiscalía Colombia (@FiscaliaCol) March 26, 2022
Video: Taylor Hawkins’ letzte Performance mit den Foo Fighters (Lollapalooza Argentina, 20.03.2022)
Social-Media-Posts: Wegbegleiter:innen trauern um Taylor Hawkins
Miley Cyrus dedicates Angels Like You to Taylor Hawkins at Lollapalooza Brazil
pic.twitter.com/KDj9RJITVH Miley Nation (@MileyNation13) March 27, 2022
God bless Taylor peace and love to all his family and the band peace and love. pic.twitter.com/wn2izxn4Vd
#RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) March 26, 2022
Thank you Taylor..
Thank you for always having the biggest warmest smile on your face and for lighting up every room with your infectious energy and good vibes.
(1/3) pic.twitter.com/G4SGcvHAqi
Lars Ulrich (@larsulrich) March 26, 2022
Our love, thoughts and support are with all who knew Taylor. Thank you for looking after me, thank you for being so kind and loving, thank you for being the most awesome drummer ever, thank you for bringing so much joy to the world, thank you for being you! With love, Nandi x pic.twitter.com/JAxo6N844a
Nandi Bushell (@Nandi_Bushell) March 26, 2022
Stunned & heartbroken. Taylor, you were one of a kind. One of the sweetest and most genuine people Ive ever met. Thank you for your kindness, and the ferocity with which you played your drums. My love and condolences to @foofighters, Taylors family and loved ones.
Jay Weinberg (@jayweinbergdrum) March 26, 2022
. @TaylorHawkins was truly a great person and an amazing musician. My heart, my love and my condolences go out to his wife, his children, his family, his band and his fans. See you on the other side – Ozzy
Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) March 26, 2022
I woke up this morning to hear the awful news of Taylor Hawkins death. What a terrible loss to us all. He was such a lovely guy and such a brilliant player. ?My deepest condolences go out to his family, his band and his fans. He will be sadly missed Rest In Peace Taylor. -Tony pic.twitter.com/MSYRMzDy8c
Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) March 26, 2022
Im heartbroken to hear about Taylor Hawkins. He was such a nice young man. Love & Mercy to Taylors family and friends. pic.twitter.com/VyqZIP94UZ
Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) March 26, 2022
Shocked n saddened to hear of the passing of Taylor Hawkins.He was a really great guy, drummer n family man. Was always great to see him!Was looking forward to seeing him n everyone in Daytona.Truly saddened. My deepest condolences to his family, the Foo Fighters ntheir fans.
Axl Rose (@axlrose) March 26, 2022
Devastated by the loss of our friend #TaylorHawkins I’ve no words to express all the feelings I have about his passing. But my heart goes out to his family. & his band & friends. RIP Taylor https://t.co/pkQLK5rLVF
Slash (@Slash) March 26, 2022
God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend. pic.twitter.com/AkiRLF2L3e
Tom Morello (@tmorello) March 26, 2022
GIFT. pic.twitter.com/eJm4fmyMNs
Steven Tyler (@IamStevenT) March 26, 2022
Shocked and saddened to hear @taylorhawkins has passed away today.!. Our prayers and condolences go out to the Hawkins family, ?@foofighters? friends and fans. Sad. https://t.co/Mgu2K4SJyL
Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) March 26, 2022
#TaylorHawkins pic.twitter.com/YfnZvRCDg4
Stevie Nicks (@StevieNicks) March 26, 2022
Such sad news about Taylor Hawkins. Anyone who knew him will tell you how great he was to be around. Everybodys friend. So positive and enthusiastic. He loved music and he loved life. @foofighters
Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) March 26, 2022
Taylor Hawkins 1972-2022.
Our deepest sympathies to Taylors family, his fans, and of course his band. pic.twitter.com/qlEaQK0uui The Smashing Pumpkins (@SmashingPumpkin) March 26, 2022
Shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of one of rocks greatest drummers. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Taylor Hawkins tonight. pic.twitter.com/CiHWW3C11S
The Offspring (@offspring) March 26, 2022
Damn. Really crushing news to hear about Taylor Hawkins passing
Laura Jane Grace (@LauraJaneGrace) March 26, 2022
Taylor Hawkins was a terrific drummer with a gorgeous disposition, seemed always to be having the time of his life. I didn’t know him well but I know music is lessened by his passing, made duller and smaller. Requiescat.
steve albini (@electricalWSOP) March 26, 2022
RIP Taylor Hawkins
He had such a light and the joy he filled a room with was contagious.
Sending love to his family and everyone in the @foofighters camp. pic.twitter.com/Zqzh5dP7lV Damian Abraham (@leftfordamian) March 26, 2022
Rest In Peace to one of the greats: Taylor Hawkins.
Our love to the @foofighters on your insurmountable loss. pic.twitter.com/8QoC3MqQf7
Matthew kiichichaos Heafy (@matthewkheafy) March 26, 2022
Rest In Peace, Taylor.
Brian Fallon (@thebrianfallon) March 26, 2022
He was such an optimistic and musical dude, twas was like he came from another era and didnt give a fuk, was just gonna totally enjoy where he was at in the now, bless his heart, a true rocker. pic.twitter.com/wTYLEIXPaE
Flea (@flea333) March 26, 2022
Im sad and shocked about my friend Taylors death. I had the opportunity to play music with him, as a singer and drummer, in which he was both amazing! His energy lit up the stage. pic.twitter.com/drPdMGKcpT
Mike McCready (@MikeMcCreadyPJ) March 26, 2022