Foo Fighters and Paul McCartney at the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonyPhoto: Michael Loccisano (Getty Images)
Paul McCartney wrote a touching tribute to Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died March 25.
In a social media post, McCartney wrote:
Taylor’s sudden death came as a shock to me and the people who knew and loved him.
Not only was he a GREAT drummer but his personality was big and bright and will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to live and work with him. I was asked by the Foo Fighters to play on one of their tracks. Turns out they wanted me to play the drums! – on one of Taylor’s songs. This request came from a group of TWO great drummers!
It was an incredible session and cemented my relationship with Taylor and the boys. Later they asked if I would induct them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I sang with them on “Get Back”. Taylor provided a powerful drum part. I will never forget that night. All of which made it much more of a desperately sad shock to hear that he had died. So thank you Taylor for sharing some glorious minutes with me. You were a true rock and roll hero and you will always be in my heart.
God bless his family and band – Dear Paul X
McCartney inducted Foo Fighters into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on October 30, 2021 and performed with the band at the ceremony. The former Beatle also played drums on “Sunday Rain” on Foo Fighters’ 2017 album Concrete And Gold – Hawkins was the lead singer on the track.
In an interview with Triple M Rock, Hawkins was asked what he thought about McCartney stepping in on drums and he replied, “It’s an honor. You have to remember that I got to sing the song at the same time, so of course it’s an honour. He’s in the fucking Beatles, man. And he played fantastic and I got to sing on it. Well, if you really think about it, I almost had to sing along to a Beatles song.”