Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl breaks down mid-song at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert as Paul McCartney and Queen lead stars taking to the stage… while the late star’s son Oliver Shane, 16, takes to the drums
The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert kicked off at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, as crowds of fans and musicians gathered to remember the late drummer at the fundraiser.
Taylor died suddenly in March of this year in his hotel room in Columbia, at the age of 50, while The Foo Fighters were on the South American leg of their recent world tour.
Frontman David Grohl took to the stage to thunderous applause with the rest of the band, and took over the drums that his late bandmate once helmed, as Liam Gallagher opened the show.
Tribute: The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert kicked off at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, as crowds of fans and musicians gathered to remember the late drummer
Several musicians took Taylor’s place as the drummer for the concert, including David Grohl’s daughter and Taylor’s own son, Oliver Shane, 16, who performed My Hero.
Addressing the crowd, Dave said no-one could make you laugh, dance, or sing like Taylor could.
He added: ‘We’ve gathered to bring you a gigantic f**king night for a gigantic f**king person. So sing and laugh and dance and f**king scream and f**king make some noise so he can hear us right now!
‘Cos you know what, it’s going to be a long f**king night!’
Tragic: Taylor died suddenly in March of this year in his hotel room in Columbia, at the age of 50, while The Foo Fighters were on the South American leg of their recent world tour (pictured in August 2008)
The musician got emotional at one point, breaking down into tears mid-song during Times Like These, before bravely pulling himself together.
A whole host of stars took part in the six-hour concert, from Nirvana to Metallica, Queen, Led Zeppelin, RUSH, AC/DC, Paul McCartney and The Police.
Dave Chappelle made an appearance at the gig to reminisce over hosting Saturday Night Live with the Foos as a musical guest in November 2020.
Dedication: Frontman David Grohl took to the stage to thunderous applause with the rest of the band, and took over the drums that his late bandmate once helmed, as Liam Gallagher opened the show (pictured February 2022)
Friend: Addressing the crowd, Dave said no-one could make you laugh, dance, or sing like Taylor could (pictured performing in February 2022)
Jason Sudeikis also dropped by to introduce Taylor’s other two bands – Chevy Metal and Coattail Riders.
Elton John spoke via pre-recorded message, saying: ‘I want to pay tribute to Taylor Hawkins because he was a great musician. But more than that he was a great father and a great husband and a great guy to hang out with.’
He added: ‘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.’
Star-studded: A whole host of stars took part in the six-hour concert, from Nirvana to Metallica, Queen, Led Zeppelin, RUSH, AC/DC, Paul McCartney and The Police (Dave and Paul pictured at Glastobury 2022)
Performer: Kesha was also in attendance as she performed a rendition of Children of the Revolution, sharing some behind the scenes snaps to Instagram
Liam Gallagher opened the show with Oasis’ Rock and Roll Star, while Kesha also performed a rendition of Children of the Revolution.
And taking to Instagram, Kesha shared a carousel of snaps from the evening – including one with Taylor’s son Oliver, as the youngster followed in his dad’s musical footsteps.
The TiK ToK singer also shared pictures with frontman Dave backstage to her 3.2M followers, captioning: ‘Just a bunch of dorks playing Wembley’.
Pals: The TiK ToK singer smiled for a selfie with frontman Dave as she prepared to take on Wembley
Sweet: She also wrapped an arm around Taylor’s son Oliver – who later took to the drums on stage
The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins followed to sing some of Taylor Hawkins’ songs, before Sir Paul McCartney performed The Beatles’ Oh! Darling as a duet with The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde.
Blink-182’s Travis Barker was also in attendance as he joined the band on stage to play the drums during their hits The Pretender and Monkey Wrench.
He attended with wife Kourtney Kardashian, as the pair donned matching leather jackets while paying tribute to the late rocker.
While Metallica’s Lars Ulrich and The Pretenders’ Martin Chambers were also on the drummer list
The concert is the first of two planned tribute nights, with the other gig set to be in Los Angeles later this month.
Daring: Kesha donned a leather chained cover-up over a black bodysuit for the appearance
Drummer: Blink-182’s Travis Barker was also in attendance as he joined the band on stage to play the drums during their hits The Pretender and Monkey Wrench – with wife Kourtney Kardashian attending with him
Closing out the show, Dave said: ‘I hope that you guys felt all the love from all of us and all of the performers because we felt it from you for Taylor tonight, so thank you everybody.’
He added: ‘I’d like to thank the Hawkins family for being here with us tonight’.
He brought out the musicians on stage for a final bow and signed off: ‘Let’s hear it one more time for Taylor f***ing Hawkins!’
It comes as the frontman also revealed that the funeral would be a ‘celebration’, confiding in The Struts’ Luke Spiller – who was close friends with Taylor.
Luke explained to The Sun: ‘This week we were all at 606 in London, and I took Dave to one side and said: “Thank you so much for considering me to be involved. I’m so happy I can contribute in some way.”
‘He told me: “Just remember, this isn’t some f-ing funeral. This is a celebration, and we are doing it at Wembley because Taylor deserves Wembley. Taylor deserves nothing but the best for his send off.” And it’s right. I wish we didn’t have to do it. But it will be a moment and a day people will never forget,’ continued the musician.
In memory: A whole host of stars took part in the six-hour concert, from Nirvana to Metallica, Queen, Led Zeppelin, RUSH, AC/DC and The Police
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