Chad Smith paid tribute to Taylor Hawkins in a touching video.
“Taylor’s my good buddy who I’ve known forever,” Smith says in an interview at the beginning of the clip. The compilation, soundtracked by Foo Fighters‘ “My Hero,” then showcased some of the drummers’ most memorable moments together — many on the road (the Foos first opened for Red Hot Chili Peppers on the 1999 Californication tour).
The video ended with footage of Smith honoring Hawkins during RHCP’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Star ceremony. “He’s flying around,” he said during his speech, gesturing to the sky. “I love you, Taylor. He’d laugh and make a smartass comment about this whole thing.”
Watch the tribute video below
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Hawkins died on March 25 at the age of 50. The Foos were in Bogotá, Colombia on a South American tour when he was found unresponsive in his hotel room and declared dead at the scene. The band shared the heartbreaking news via social media.
“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” it read. “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.”
The band has since cancelled all remaining tour dates and will no longer be performing at the Grammys tonight, where they are nominated for three awards: Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song and Best Rock Album.
