Machine Gun Kelly shared a story about the last time he saw Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins two days before his unexpected death.
Speaking to Howard Stern on Wednesday, the “Emo Girl” musician recalled the kindness Hawkins shared with him and his band while they were hanging out at the Foo Fighters’ hotel.
“As we walked out of there, the kids in us came out,” Kelly said of the feeling Hawkins gave them the last time they met him. “We were like, ‘This is the best night of our lives!'”
The ‘Emo Girl’ musician told Stern that he and his band would play a show with the Foo Fighters in Paraguay last week at the Asunciónico festival. But because of a terrible storm, the show was canceled.
Kelly said he and his band were delighted to share the same stage with the legendary band at the festival and that they were all “super depressed” that they wouldn’t get the opportunity. Kelly told Stern that he texted Dave Grohl about his disappointment, and the Foo Fighters frontman decided to make the best of a bad situation and invited Kelly to the hotel where the band was staying to hang out.
The ‘The Dirt’ actor said that upon arriving at the hotel it dawned on him that he had brought a group of around 20 people – including his band – and suddenly felt quite uncomfortable about inviting so many people over.
“All 20 of us got off the elevator, and … Taylor especially, he walked up to each and every one of us and gave us each our moment,” Kelly said.
“Every single one of us, right down to my assistant,” he said, noting that Hawkins quickly bonded with his assistant because he lived in Topanga Canyon, California.
“The last thing he said [my drummer] was like, ‘I’m just so depressed I couldn’t see you guys play,'” Kelly said.
The Foo Fighters were on tour in Bogotá, Colombia when they announced Hawkins’ death at the age of 50. Following the announcement, the band canceled the remainder of their tour dates.
The 31-year-old musician added that while speaking with Hawkins, he gushed about the three children he shares with his wife Alison Hawkins.
“He was so proud of his kids,” Kelly said, later adding, “And I really want to thank him and let his kids know that he made us feel — at a time when the outside world and outside the fans.” the outside world is really tough on us — and he made us feel so confident and loved.
Kelly has recently received criticism for his music and has faced backlash due to comments that have resurfaced. But while speaking to Stern, his sole focus was on Hawkins’ spirit and how his death is such a loss.
The singer seemed impressed by the late drummer’s talent and kindness.
“He was such a beautiful soul,” Kelly said.