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Foo Fighters cancel Grammys performance after Taylor Hawkins’ death

The band are up for three awards at this year's Grammys

By Charlotte Krol

Taylor Hawkins drums for the Foo Fighters at Lollapalooza Berlin 2017
Taylor Hawkins. (Picture: Wikimedia Commons/Raph_PH)

Foo Fighters have pulled their planned performance at the 2022 Grammy Awards in the wake of their drummer Taylor Hawkins’ death.

The rock band were last month confirmed to play the ceremony this Sunday (April 3) alongside acts including Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo and BTS but will now no longer perform [via Rolling Stone].

Foo Fighters are nominated for three awards: ‘Making a Fire’ for Best Rock Performance, ‘Waiting On A War’ for Best Rock Song, and ‘Medicine At Midnight’ for Best Rock Album.

It comes after the group cancelled all of their upcoming tour dates as they try to come to terms with the “staggering loss of our brother”.

Hawkins, 50, died last Friday (March 25) in Bogotá, Colombia, where the band were due to play Festival Estéreo Picnic. An exact cause of death has not yet been determined, however, Colombia’s Attorney General said at least 10 substances were found in Hawkins including benzodiazepines, antidepressants and opioids.

Taylor Hawkins performs with Foo Fighters
Taylor Hawkins (Picture: Getty)

“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” an initial message announcing his death read on social media. “His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.”

Earlier this week Foo Fighters issued a statement after cancelling their tour dates. “We’re sorry for and share in the disappointment that we won’t be seeing one another as planned.

“Instead, let’s take the time to grieve, to heal, to pull our loved ones close, and to appreciate all the music and memories we’ve made together.”

Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters performs live
Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl performing live (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

A planned UK tour for this summer would have seen them play massive stadium gigs in Manchester, Birmingham and London, including two nights in the capital at West Ham United’s London Stadium.

Other notable dates on the European run included a gig in Atlético Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium with Liam Gallagher in support, and a headline slot at the Lisbon leg of Rock in Rio.

Elsewhere, Foo Fighters are set to re-enter the UK album and singles charts this week following Hawkins’ death.