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Last updated on August 3rd, 2023 at 09:11 am
The passing of Taylor Hawkins on March 25, 2022 shocked the music industry, with fans and musicians worldwide mourning his sudden death and left questioning how he died.
Superstar drummer Taylor Hawkins is most well-known for his work with perhaps the most famous alternative rock band of all time, the Foo Fighters. He also worked with many other musicians and had a solo career.
Though more information has come to light since his death, there are aspects that are still debated. How did Taylor Hawkins die? Find out all the latest details in this article.
How Did Taylor Hawkins Die?
Taylor Hawkins died of cardiac arrest on March 25, 2022.
The celebrity drummer died in the Columbian capital of Bogotá. Emergency units were called to his hotel room after he complained of chest pain. The medical staff failed to resuscitate him.
The tragic incident occurred just hours before the Foo Fighters were set to perform at the Festival Estereo Picnic in the national city.
A forensic investigation found over ten drugs in his system at the time of his death, including opiates, marijuana, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines.
Although an overdose was initially suspected to be the cause of Taylor Hawkins’ death, new evidence has emerged that has cast doubt on that conclusion.
It was rumored that heroin was found in his system and a cocaine-like substance was found in his room, but this was never confirmed. Neither of those substances were found in his system.
Additionally, his friends and family say that Hawkins had been clean from hard drugs for years.
It’s likely that Hawkins didn’t die of a drug overdose but from an enlarged heart.
Forensic experts discovered that, at his death, Hawkins’s heart weighed double the size of men his age, around 600 grams. They found this out during an examination after his untimely death at the luxury hotel.
Why Was Taylor Hawkins’ Heart So Heavy?
There are many reasons why a person’s heart can get enlarged, including high blood pressure, heart valve issues, and sleep apnea.
Interestingly, a doctor had informed him about his enlarged heart the year before he died, but gave him no indication that it could pose a serious risk.
“Your heart’s big because you exercise a lot, it’s like a runner’s heart,” Hawkins said the doctor told him in an interview with Rolling Stones the summer before his death. He made sure to emphasize that he was healthy.
While there hasn’t been confirmation about why Taylor Hawkins’ heart was so heavy, some have speculated that it had something to do with the exhaustion he was feeling on tour.
Was Taylor Hawkins Alone When He Died?
Yes, Taylor Hawkins was alone when he died. By the time paramedics reached his hotel room after he complained of chest pains, he had already died.
Related: How Did Prince Die? The Story Behind His Drug-Related Death
How Old Was Taylor Hawkins When He Died?
Taylor Hawkins was 50 years old when he died. He was born on February 17, 1972.
Taylor Hawkins’ Last Words
There is no information on Taylor Hawkins’ last words.
Response to Taylor Hawkins’ Death
There were many touching tributes in the wake of Taylor Hawkins’ death from fans and famous friends around the world.
Some who memorialized Hawkins included Ozzy Osbourne, KISS bassist Gene Simmons, Travis Barker, and Beatles‘ drummer Ringo Starr.
Where Did Taylor Hawkins Get Buried?
The only information about Taylor Hawkins’ funeral is that it took place in the United States.
According to Drum Magazine, his body was cremated, and his remains were scattered in the sea.
Taylor Hawkins Memorial Concert
There were two tribute concerts to Taylor Hawkins.
The first took place on September 3, 2022, at London’s Wembley Stadium. Guests who joined the Foo Fighters included Paul McCartney, Mark Ronson, Chris Rock, Brian May of Queen, and Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones.
The second concert was on September 27, 2022, at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. Many artists from the first show were there, in addition to Tommy Lee and Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue, Miley Cyrus, Weezer drummer Patrick Wilson, and many others.
What Did Dave Grohl Say About Taylor Hawkins’ Death?
Dave Grohl, who was surely in deep grief after the loss of his friend, didn’t say much in the days and week following Taylor Hawkins’ death.
He movingly gave tribute to his friend throughout the tribute concerts to him, though, as the above video shows.
Taylor Hawkins’ Early Life
Taylor Hawkins, whose birth name is Oliver Taylor Hawkins, was born and raised in Fort Walton, Texas. His parents moved to Laguna Beach, California when he was four years old and he was raised there.
Hawkins has two younger siblings, a brother, Jason, and a younger sister, Heather. During his high school days, he was friends with Jon Davison, the current lead vocalist of the band Yes.
His first big break came when he played drums on Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill and on the tour that followed.
Taylor Hawkins’ Career in Foo Fighters
While touring with Alanis Morissette, Hawkins met Foo Fighters leader Dave Grohl, who formed the band in the wake of Nirvana’s demise after the death of Kurt Cobain.
Initially, the Foo Fighters had three members: William Goldsmith on drums, Nate Mendel on bass, and Pat Smear on rhythm guitar. Goldsmith quit the band in 1997.
Grohl then called up Hawkins, asking him if he had any ideas for who could replacement. To his surprise, Hawkins offered to join the band, and Grohl happily said yes.
Popular Foo Fighters albums Hawkins played on included One by One (2022), Concrete and Gold (2017), and, most recently, 2021’s Grammy-winning Medicine at Midnight.
Hawkins played on Foo Fighters’ biggest songs on the Billboard charts, including “Monkey Wrench,” “Learn to Fly,” and “Times Like These.”
In addition to his work with the Foo Fighters, Hawkins released solo albums with his own band, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders. Their last release was 2019’s Get the Money.
Related: How Did Kurt Cobain Die?
Taylor Hawkins’ Family
Taylor Hawkins was married to Alison Hawkins. The couple dated before finally saying their vows in early 2005 and lived together in Hidden Hills, California, per Meaww.
What does Alison Hawkins do for a living? She’s an illustrator.
The Foo Fighter drummer kept his personal life away from the public eye despite his popularity. There isn’t much information about Taylor Hawkins’ wife, Alison, and their relationship.
However, according to sources, the band’s 2019 song “I Really Blew It” on the album Get the Money mentions Alison.
Taylor Hawkins’ Children
The couple were together for 17 years and had three children together, Oliver Shane, Annabelle, and Everleigh.
During a media interview, Taylor confessed that his family was the prime inspiration behind his music creation during his career.
In 2019, Hawkins also confirmed that his song “Middle Child” was dedicated to his second daughter Annabelle.
According to Joe Daly, Hawkins told them, “My daughter asked me to make a song for her, and since she’s the middle child, I thought, why not just name the new song ‘Middle Child’?”
Related: How Did Jim Morrison Die? The Death of a True Rock Superstar
Taylor Hawkins Net Worth
According to various sources, the late drummer’s net worth has been estimated between $40 to $57 million, owing to his collaborations with Foo Fighters, Morisette, and many other side projects.
Hawkins leaves behind his wife Alison and three kids, Everleigh, Annabelle, and Oliver.
The family of five lived in a 7000 square-foot Hidden Hills mansion, which Hawkins bought in 2012 after they relocated to the city from Topanga Canyon.
Currently, the house is valued at $2.7 million.
Taylor Hawkins Awards and Recognitions
A renowned drummer, Hawkins received the title of the “best rock drummer” by the renowned British magazine, Rhythm.
He also won 14 Grammys, including two posthumously.
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