The Foo Fighters are one of the most popular and influential rock bands of the last 25 years. Led by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, the band has released 10 studio albums, won 12 Grammy awards, and sold millions of records worldwide since their self-titled debut album in 1995. However, after the tragic passing of drummer Taylor Hawkins in March 2022, the future of the Foo Fighters has been called into question. Many fans are wondering: will Foo Fighters ever tour again?
The History and Impact of the Foo Fighters
Over their nearly 30-year career, the Foo Fighters have established themselves as one of the biggest rock acts in the world. Their unique mix of melodic hard rock, post-grunge, and pop hooks quickly won over both mainstream rock fans and critics. Albums like 1997’s The Colour and the Shape and 1999’s There Is Nothing Left to Lose spawned hit singles such as “Everlong,” “My Hero,” and “Learn to Fly” that received heavy radio airplay. The band’s popularity only grew throughout the 2000s, as they began headlining arena and stadium tours across the globe.
Beyond commercial success, the Foo Fighters have made a significant impact on the rock genre over the past three decades. Dave Grohl’s songwriting and the band’s skilled musicianship have inspired countless alternative and indie rock bands. As one of the few remaining rock bands that can still reliably fill stadiums in the 2020s, the Foo Fighters have carried the torch for guitar-based rock amidst the rise of pop, hip hop, and EDM in mainstream music. Even as rock music has declined in popularity, the passionate fanbase of the Foo Fighters has remained as strong as ever.
Noteworthy Moments in Foo Fighters History
The Foo Fighters have had no shortage of memorable and triumphant moments over their long career:
- Winning their first Grammy Awards in 1997 for the song “My Hero” and Best Rock Album for The Colour and the Shape.
- Selling out two nights at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium in 2008, becoming the first band to do so since Live Aid in 1985.
- Releasing their 2011 album Wasting Light, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts, a rarity for a rock band in the 21st century.
- Getting inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, in their first year of eligibility.
- Headlining major festivals like Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits over the years.
These highlights demonstrate the Foo Fighters’ continued ability to put out hit music and deliver powerful live performances, even as they progressed deep into their career.
The Death of Taylor Hawkins
Tragedy struck the Foo Fighters on March 25, 2022, when longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins died unexpectedly at the age of 50. Hawkins had been a member of the band since 1997 and his stellar drumming was an integral part of the Foo Fighters’ sound. According to the band, Hawkins’ passing was due to cardiovascular collapse after he reportedly consumed a cocktail of drugs.
Hawkins’ death occurred while the band was on tour in South America, forcing them to immediately cancel their remaining tour dates. The news shocked and saddened both fans and music industry peers. Tributes to Hawkins poured in, praising his drumming skills, good-natured personality, and deep friendship with Dave Grohl.
In the immediate wake of Hawkins’ death, the Foo Fighters cancelled all upcoming concert dates and went silent on social media. Hawkins’ passing seemed to signal the end of an era for the band. After Dave Grohl’s previous band Nirvana came to an abrupt end with Kurt Cobain’s 1994 suicide, some speculated that Hawkins’ death could lead Grohl to dissolve the Foo Fighters entirely.
Memorial Concerts for Taylor Hawkins
In September 2022, the Foo Fighters held two massive tribute concerts for Taylor Hawkins at London’s Wembley Stadium and Los Angeles’ Kia Forum. The Wembley concert featured guest performances from rock legends like Brian May, Liam Gallagher, and Stewart Copeland, while the LA show included appearances by Alanis Morissette, Miley Cyrus, and Chili Peppers members Chad Smith and Josh Klinghoffer.
Both shows celebrated Hawkins’ life and musical legacy with over 5 hours of music. At Wembley, Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters took the stage for an emotional performance of some of the band’s greatest hits. The concerts provided an opportunity for both fans and fellow musicians to honor Hawkins’ memory together.
While the concerts were intended as a tribute to Hawkins, they also seemed to signal that the Foo Fighters were not quite ready to end the band. The remaining members used the shows to reunite and play live again for the first time since Hawkins’ passing.
What Does the Future Hold for the Foo Fighters?
The big question that remains is will the Foo Fighters continue and tour again? Or were the Taylor Hawkins tribute shows a final farewell? There are arguments on both sides.
On the one hand, it’s hard to imagine the band carrying on without Taylor Hawkins. He had been an essential core member for 25 years and his larger-than-life persona was a key part of their identity. Attempting to permanently replace him could be seen as disrespectful. Dave Grohl and company may feel that ending the band with Hawkins’ death is the most dignified choice.
However, the Foo Fighters have ultimately persevered through past challenges. When two original members left in the late 1990s, Grohl soldiered on and rebuilt the lineup. The band took a hiatus in the early 2000s when Grohl was working on side projects, but eventually reunited. So there is precedent for the group evolving and continuing forward.
The sheer passion and enthusiasm that Grohl showed during the tribute concerts points towards him not being ready to end the Foo Fighters for good. The concerts seemed to reinvigorate the surviving members and reconnect them with fans. It demonstrated that Grohl still has more Foo Fighters music left in him.
Possibilities for the Foo Fighters’ Future
If the Foo Fighters do decide to continue as a band, what might be some possibilities for their future direction?
- Bring on a new permanent drummer: Though it may seem unlikely they would replace Hawkins outright, they could audition drummers and find someone new to take over full-time.
- Rotate guest drummers: For specific tours or shows, they may decide to have different well-known drummers back them rather than find one replacement.
- Record a new album: Give themselves time to grieve Hawkins, but eventually head back into the studio for a new batch of songs. Perhaps even a tribute to Hawkins.
- Scale back touring: Rather than undertake massive world tours like before, stick to shorter runs of shows to accommodate their age and families.
No matter what shape the Foo Fighters take going forward, it’s clear that musical retirement does not seem imminent for Grohl. “I don’t think I’ll ever be done with music,” Grohl told the BBC this year. However, he and the band are likely proceeding ahead cautiously and with Hawkins’ spirit in mind.
Conclusion
The tragic passing of Taylor Hawkins has undoubtedly changed the Foo Fighters forever. However, there are signs that Dave Grohl and the band are not yet ready to give up making music together. The future is unclear, but Grohl’s determination and the September tribute concerts point towards the band living on in some capacity.
For the sake of their fans and their own musical journey, the easiest prediction is that the Foo Fighters will eventually return – perhaps with a new drummer. Regardless, Taylor Hawkins will always remain a part of the band’s story. And the Foo Fighters’ catalog of anthemic alt-rock will endure for generations to come. If their love for rock music remains, expect to see Grohl and company back out on tour before too long.