The Foo Fighters have paid an emotional tribute to their late bandmate and “brother” Taylor Hawkins with a “gigantic” gig celebrating his life.
On an emotional night time at Wembley Stadium, Grohl fought again tears and needed to regular himself as he took the mic to sing the primary Foo Fighters tune of the gig, Times Like These; the viewers’s cheers lifting him again up.
Drummers together with Travis Barker, Rufus Taylor, Omar Hakim and younger web sensation Nandi Bushell have been among the many musicians who performed behind the frontman for among the band’s greatest hits – with Hawkins‘ teenage son, Shane, taking his flip for a poignant My Hero.
And including to an already-star studded invoice was shock addition Paul McCartney, who carried out alongside The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde and Grohl – who switched between the drums, guitar and bass all through the night time.
At the beginning of what could be a six-hour gig, Grohl paid tribute to “our dear friend, our bandmate, our brother”.
He continued: “For those of you who knew him personally, you know that no one else can make you smile, or laugh or dance or sing like he could, and for those of you that admired him from afar, I’m sure you’ve all felt the same thing.”
The frontman then urged the gang to “sing and dance, and laugh and cry and f****** scream and make some f****** noise so he could hear us right now, because you know it’s gonna be a long f****** night, right?”
Following the introduction, Liam Gallagher opened the occasion with performances of Oasis hits Rock ‘N’ Roll Star and Live Forever, with Grohl taking part in the drums behind him.
Supergrass, Rush, AC/DC singer Brian Johnson, Nile Rodgers, Josh Homme and Kesha have been among the many different musicians who carried out on the present, with Grohl’s daughter Violet additionally becoming a member of him to sing Jeff Buckley’s Grace, and, in a while, Valerie with Mark Ronson.
The occasion was additionally interspersed with footage of Hawkins and video tributes from stars together with Elton John and Stevie Nicks.
As nightfall fell, Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor – certainly one of Hawkins’ musical heroes – got here on to carry out hits together with We Will Rock You, Under Pressure and Love Of My Life, one other emotional quantity as May remembered Freddie Mercury – and advised the gang he would have been pleased to share the tune within the drummer’s reminiscence.
Hawkins was identified for switching locations with Grohl at among the band’s gigs, his renditions of Queen songs at all times a favorite with followers; for this efficiency the Queen stars have been joined by completely different vocalists, together with The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins and Eurovision star Sam Ryder.
“When we first started talking about putting something together for Taylor, we sat down and we said even if it’s his closest friends, that’s like 100 f****** musicians,” Grohl advised the gang through the present.
“Because Taylor loved to jam and record with anybody and everybody. He loved to play music every day. And there aren’t too many people that he’s never jammed with.
“So this assortment of family and friends and musicians, that is all introduced collectively by him and we’re all related right here at this time by that one man.
“Bringing musicians that have never met, musicians that have never played together, all in one place, at one time, with all of you beautiful people to make f****** noise for Taylor Hawkins.”
Introducing Hawkins’ son in a while, Grohl mentioned: “Let me tell you I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone hit the drums as hard as this person, but beyond that, he’s a member of our family.”
Comedians Dave Chappelle and Jason Sudeikis have been additionally among the many acts who took to the stage to inform anecdotes about their relationships with Hawkins and his music.
And in his pre-recorded message, Sir Elton John advised the viewers: “He played on my last album, which I was so thrilled about and honoured. So tonight is about remembering him, honouring him, and don’t ever forget him.”
After hits together with Best Of You, Monkey Wrench, All My Life and The Pretender, the night time ended with Grohl performing a shifting rendition of Everlong.
Hawkins, 50, had been with the remainder of the band within the Colombian capital of Bogota when he died in March forward of a deliberate competition efficiency.
Speaking forward of the gig, the band – Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear, Rami Jaffee and Grohl – mentioned they needed to honour their bandmate by celebrating his expertise.
The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts have been arrange by the band and Hawkins’ spouse, Alison, and one other gig is deliberate to happen in Los Angeles later in September.
Hawkins joined Foo Fighters in 1997, selecting up the sticks behind former Nirvana drummer Grohl, after beforehand touring with Alanis Morissette. He first appeared with the band on tour supporting their second album The Colour & The Shape earlier than making his recorded debut on 1999’s There Is Nothing Left To Lose.
He went on to play on each subsequent album, and sometimes took over lead vocal duties on songs similar to Cold Day In The Sun and Sunday Rain.
As a member of Foo Fighters, he was a 15-time Grammy winner and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and had a number of solo and facet initiatives. Shortly earlier than his demise, he had starred with the band of their spoof horror movie Studio 666.
Funds from tickets and merchandise from the tribute reveals in his reminiscence will go to the Music Support and MusiCares charities.
Source: information.sky.com”