We Love You Taylor
- Kyle Hotchkiss
- Sep 3, 2022
- 3 min read
Music has a way of connecting people. Folks from different walks of life, believe systems, backgrounds and countries can all be brought together by a song. This profound effect has brought so many amazing people into my life and I'll forever be grateful for that.
One of those people is Taylor Hawkins. Now, I've never met Taylor but I feel a connection to him through his music. When the world lost him, it felt like losing a close friend. It was an absolute gut punch and still today doesn't feel real. So when today's Taylor Hawkins Tribute concert at Wembley Stadium begun, it still feels as though this is just a terrible dream that we will wake up from.
Today's tribute was absolutely beautiful. Even joining in on a livestream on YouTube, it was easy to feel the love in the air of the stadium, as well as the cathartic release of the grief and pain by the audience and performers alike. Between each star-studded act would play videos of Taylor being his goofy and hilarious self. It was evident just how much Taylor means to each and every performer who stepped on that stage.
I've had the great pleasure of seeing Taylor and the Foos perform live 3 times in my life. Each show was special in it's own way, and each show made sure to highlight just how special Taylor is. Of course the Foo Fighters is lead by Dave Grohl, one of the most decorated and prolific drummers in the history of music. Yet Taylor was the heart of the band, and had a way of stealing the show. With each concert Taylor is given a chance to get out from behind the drumkit and deliver an epic rendition of a Queen song of his choosing.
His presence fills arenas and stadiums as he belts out lines made legendary by Freddy Mercury and his band mates simply marvel in his talent. It is a phenomenal sight to see. Outside of the context of the Foo Fighters, it might seem weird; "The drummer is going to sing a song instead of Dave fucking Grohl?". But anyone who is a fan of the Foo Fighters know that this is very much a highlight of any FF show, and is not something to miss. Who other than Taylor Hawkins could do this?
So watching the Foo Fighters' first performance since Taylor's passing was a bitter sweet moment. On one hand, it came as the ending of an absolutely beautiful celebration of Taylor's life and legacy and it was cathartic to see the band back on the stage. There was a fantastic rotating group of drummers, from Travis Barker to Omar Hakim and so many more. But on the other hand, Taylor's missing presence was hard to handle and was another reminder that this is real.
Their performance was powerful. Dave started the show with Times Like These, and incredibly powerful and poignant song for the occasion. Seeing Dave power through his sadness and grief was absolutely heartbreaking and I'm sure there wasn't a dry eye in the stadium. Hell, I'm crying and I didn't even know Taylor. But he was one of Dave's closest friends and his brother. I can only imagine what Dave and the entire band felt today.
Later in the show, Dave introduced Shane Hawkins to join on the drums for My Hero, the perfect song for Shane to play tribute to his dad. This is another one of those moments where the severity of the truth hits, and more tears are shed. There is so much of Taylor in Shane, and to me, this was the best moment of the show.
Dave ended the show with a solo rendition of Everlong before having all of the performers take a bow. Seeing the massive amount of talent that was assembled on that stage was awe-inspiring and a testament to just how much Taylor Hawkins meant to music and the music community.
I never met Taylor, but his light brightened my life just as he did for so many of you. I'll forever remember his sense of humor and silliness, his positivity and love for art, his humility and humbleness, and all of the other aspects about him that made him the best. He helped make the world a brighter place, and he will be forever missed. We love you Taylor.
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