Taylor Hawkins dead at 50: Police say death could be drug-related, how Foo Fighters drummer made girl's dream come true, rock royalty pay last respects

Taylor Hawkins – who has been the drummer for the last 25 years for the immensely popular rock band Foo Fighters – has died at the age of 50.

The Foo Fighters made an announcement late Friday night:

The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins. 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 Foo Fighters were on tour in South America. The band was scheduled to perform at the Festival Estéreo Picnic in Bogota on Friday night, but the concert was canceled due to the untimely death.

"Due to a very serious medical situation, Foo Fighters will not be able to perform tonight and have canceled the remainder of their South American tour," read a projected statement above a candle-lit stage where the Foo Fighters were set to perform.

Police issue statement on a possible cause of Taylor Hawkins' death

Hawkins was found dead in a hotel room on Friday at the 5-star Casa Medina luxury hotel in Bogota, Colombia.

According to the Daily Mail, the Metropolitan Police Of Bogota released a statement that read: "The cause of death has yet to be established. According to those close to him, the death could be related to the consumption of drugs."

Hawkins' death is still under investigation.

The New York Post reported, "Hawkins had complained of chest pains to hotel staff, according to reports."

By the time medical responders arrived at the rocker's hotel room he was already dead.

Hawkins had a history of drug use

Four years after joining the Foo Fighters, Hawkins overdosed on heroin in 2001 and was in a coma for two weeks.

"We went through a lot of crazy periods with our band early on," Hawkins admits in a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone, which he states he is sober at the time.

In a 2018 interview with the online radio station Beats, Hawkins said, "I was partying a lot. I wasn't a junkie per se, but I was partying. There was a year where the partying just got a little too heavy. There's no happy ending with hard drugs."

Hawkins recalled the moment that he wanted to get sober, "Thank God on some level this guy gave me the wrong line with the wrong thing one night and I woke up going, 'What the f*** happened?' That was a real changing point for me."

When asked about his sobriety, Hawkins responded, "I don't really discuss how I live my life in that regard. I have my system that works for me."

Tributes from rock royalty pour in

Music legends paid their last respects to Hawkins.

Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne: "Taylor Hawkins 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."

Singer Axl Rose: "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 n’ their fans."

Singer Billy Idol: "So tragic. Rest in peace Taylor."

Guitarist Slash: "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."

Singer-songwriter Liam Gallagher: "Absolutely devastated to hear the sad news about Taylor Hawkins my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends RIP brother."

Singer Richard Marx: "Gutted. Completely gutted. We just recorded something together a month ago. Can’t even process this right now. Let’s hold Taylor’s wife and children close to our hearts."

Rage Against the Machine singer Tom Morello: "God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend."

Beatles drummer Ringo Starr: "God bless Taylor peace and love to all his family and the band peace and love."

The band Nickelback: "In utter disbelief at the news of Taylor Hawkins. Our deepest condolences to his family, his bandmates, his team, his friends and everyone that was ever touched by the music he created with @foofighters@Alanis and so many others. This is so incredibly sad."

The band The Offspring: "Shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of one of rock’s greatest drummers. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Taylor Hawkins tonight."

Drummer Travis Barker: "I don’t have the words. Sad to write this or to never see you again. I'll never forget Laguna Beach days when I was a trash man playing in a punk rock band and you were playing with Alanis. You'd come watch me play in dive bars and be like, 'kid you’re a star.' And I thought you were crazy but you gave me so much hope and determination. Years later we toured together with Blink and Foo's in Australia and I have the best memories of smoking cigarettes in the restroom of flights we were on together and watching your set every night. To say I'll miss you my friend isn’t enough. Till the next time we talk drums and smoke in the boys room … Rest In Peace."

Taylor Hawkins made a little girl's dream come true

Emma Sofia Peralta – a 9-year-old girl from Paraguay – attempted to meet members of the Foo Fighters by playing drums outside the band's hotel in the city of Asuncion this week.

"When my daughter found out that the Foo Fighters were coming, she started a campaign to meet them," Emma's father wrote on social media. "Today we took her drums to play in front of the Sheraton and look who came out. Dreams come true."

Hawkins visited the girl to cheers of the crowd that gathered outside the hotel.

Hawkins died 48 hours later.

"We are devastated," the father said. "I don't know how to tell this to Emma."

Taylor Hawkins' final performance

The drummer's last song played was Foo Fighters' classic "Everlong" during Lollapalooza Argentina on March 20 – five days before his sudden death.

Foo Fighters - Everlong - Lollapalooza Argentina 2022www.youtube.com

Taylor Hawkins leaves loved ones

The Foo Fighters drummer leaves behind his wife Alison and three children – Annabelle, Everly Hawkins, and Oliver.

Hawkins, Dave Grohl, and the Foo Fighters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Paul McCartney last year.