Pearl Jam kicked off their North American tour last week. On Tuesday (May 3) they paid tribute to the late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins at the opener in San Diego. “He exuded something incredible and very special,” said Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder of Hawkins. “We all miss him,” he said, referring to the friendship between Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron and Taylor Hawkins. Vedder emphasized that he was particularly sorry for his bandmate’s loss. In addition, Hawkins’ early death would give the band a reason to show how much they value their own drummer.
Cameron and Hawkins are said to have often rehearsed together. Last fall, the two performed together at the Ohana Festival in California, founded by Eddie Vedder. A Queen cover of Keep Yourself Alive was performed, with Cameron on drums and Hawkins on mic.
The performance can be seen here:
Pearl Jam cover “Cold Day In The Sun”
A day later, at their concert in Los Angeles, Pearl Jam covered the Foo Fighters song “Cold Day In The Sun” sung by Taylor Hawkins. Drummer Matt Cameron took on the guitar and vocals. Mark Guiliana from the band Beat Music took over the drums – and Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers took over the tambourine. The Peppers also recently had a headlining slot at a festival in New Orleans that was supposed to be played by the Foo Fighters. A circle also closes: On their tour, Pearl Jam are also accompanied by Josh Klinghoffer. The guitarist was a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2007 to 2019, until their ex-guitarist John Frusciante rejoined the band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJgzXS21jjA
Eddie Vedder said: “It’s never easy when you lose someone. The older you get, the more often this happens. It happens at certain stages of life. But sometimes, like now, it’s particularly unexpected. What also makes it harder is that Taylor was someone who genuinely loved life on this planet. I guess the only thing that can give us a little consolation is the fact that he never wasted a moment. He lived his life to the fullest. We want more of it.”
Taylor Hawkins’ surprising death
The Foo Fighters announced Hawkins’ death on March 25 via social media. “The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” the statement said. “His musical spirit and infectious laugh will live on with all of us forever.”
A festival appearance in Colombia was actually planned, where the Foo Fighters were already. Shortly before, the drummer was said to have been found dead in his hotel room in Bogotá. The cause of death is so far unclear. However, a toxicology report revealed that various substances, including THC, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines and opioids, were in his body at the time of his death.
Numerous musicians and celebrities honored the drummer at one of their performances and shared their fondest memories of him: such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Perry Farrell, James Corden and Liam Gallagher.
After several postponements due to corona, Pearl Jam will also be coming to Europe this summer. In Germany they perform on June 21st in Berlin and on June 28th in Frankfurt.