Foo Fighters to pay special tribute to Taylor Hawkins with London gig

Foo Fighters are going to pay tribute to the late drummer Taylor Hawkins with a poignant concert in London.

Hawkins died at the age of 50 on March 25 while the band were on tour in Colombia.

Preliminary urine toxicology tests showed 10 substances in his system at the time of his death, including opioids.

Now the band - made up of Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear, Rami Jaffee and frontman Dave Grohl - have announced they will perform at London’s Wembley Stadium in his honour.

The glittering event celebrating the drummer’s life will take place on September 3 this year.

They hailed him as one of the “most respected and beloved figures in modern music” with “monolithic talent and a magnetic personality”.

Their London gig will then be followed by a second concert on September 27 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles.

A statement on the band’s website said: “Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear and Rami Jaffee will come together with the Hawkins family to celebrate the life, music and love of their husband, father, brother and bandmate with the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts.

“As one of the most respected and beloved figures in modern music, Taylor’s monolithic talent and magnetic personality endeared him to millions of fans, peers, friends and fellow musical legends the world over. Millions mourned his untimely passing on March 25, with passionate and sincere tributes coming from fans as well as musicians Taylor idolised.

“The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts will unite several of those artists, the Hawkins family and of course his Foo Fighters brothers in celebration of Taylor’s memory and his legacy as a global rock icon — his bandmates and his inspirations playing the songs that he fell in love with, and the ones he brought to life.”

Mr Hawkins’ wife Alison said: “My deepest thanks and admiration go out to the global Foo Fighters community and Taylor’s fans far and wide for the outpouring of love each and every one of you have shown for our beloved Taylor.

“Your kindness has been an invaluable comfort for my family and me during this time of unimaginable grief. As Taylor’s wife, and on behalf of our children, I wanted to share how much you meant to him and how dedicated he was to “knocking your socks off” during every performance.

“Taylor was honoured to be a part of the Foo Fighters and valued his dream role in the band every minute of his 25 years with them. We consider every band member and the extended Foo Fighters team our family.”