Josh Freese announced as new drummer for Foo Fighters following Taylor Hawkins’ death
The Foo Fighters have announced that Josh Freese will be their new drummer, following the untimely death of longtime percussionist Taylor Hawkins in March 2022.[0] The news was revealed during the band's Preparing Music for Concerts livestream event, which promised “a few surprises”.[1] Freese, who has played alongside legendary bands such as Guns N' Roses and Nine Inch Nails, will join Dave Grohl and the rest of the Grammy-winning rock band as they hit the road for their upcoming tour dates.[2]
The announcement came after months of speculation, with fans eagerly anticipating who would take over the drum kit.[3] Freese, a veteran session drummer, has played with a plethora of well-known bands over the years, including A Perfect Circle, Evanescence, Sting, Weezer, Devo, and Paramore.[4] He was also a founding member of A Perfect Circle and is a regular member of The Vandals.[4] Freese's resume is one of the most impressive in music, having played with different musicians on more than 300 recordings ranging from pop, rock ‘n' roll to country.[5]
The Foo Fighters' latest tour is scheduled to begin on Wednesday in New Hampshire and will conclude in October in Texas.[6] During that period, they are also set to headline two California music festivals: San Francisco's Outside Lands (Aug. 12) and Dana Point's Ohana Festival (Oct. 1).[7] The band's 11th studio album, “But Here We Are”, is scheduled to be released on June 2, the first album since the death of Hawkins.[8] The album comes “following a year of staggering losses, personal introspection and bittersweet remembrances.”[9]
The loss of Hawkins has been deeply felt by the band and their fans. In a statement shared on social media, the Foo Fighters wrote, “Without Taylor, we never would have become the band that we were — and without Taylor, we know that we're going to be a different band going forward.”[10] However, they also acknowledged the importance of their fans, saying, “And we know that you, the fans, meant as much to Taylor as he meant to you and we know that when we see you again — and we will soon — he'll be there in spirit with all of us every night.”[11]
Before unveiling Freese as their new touring member, Foo Fighters teased other possible replacements in a funny skit featuring appearances from Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith, Mötley Crüe's Tommy Lee, and TOOL's Danny Carey.[12] However, it was ultimately revealed that the seat behind the kit belonged to Freese.[13]
Fans can look forward to seeing the Foo Fighters perform live once again, with Freese joining them on stage. The band's upcoming tour includes festival appearances at Bonnaroo, Louder Than Life, Austin City Limits, and Riot Fest, as well as headlining dates with support from The Breeders.[14] Tickets to all of their shows are on sale now.[14]
The loss of Hawkins has undoubtedly left a void in the Foo Fighters, but with the addition of Freese, they will continue to honor his memory and move forward as a band. As they embark on their first concert tour without Hawkins, fans can expect to see a different but still incredible Foo Fighters experience.[6]
0. “Foo Fighters Confirm New Drummer Josh Freese” The Rock Revival, 21 May. 2023, https://therockrevival.com/rock-news/foo-fighters-confirm-new-drummer-josh-freese
1. “Foo Fighters Name New Drummer To Replace The Late Taylor Hawkins” Deadline, 21 May. 2023, https://deadline.com/2023/05/foo-fighters-name-new-drummer-replace-the-late-taylor-hawkins-1235375150/
2. “Foo Fighters Reveal Josh Freese as Taylor Hawkins' Successor on Drums” TheWrap, 21 May. 2023, https://www.thewrap.com/foo-fighters-josh-freese-new-drummer-taylor-hawkins
3. “FOO FIGHTERS Announces New Drummer” Metal Injection, 21 May. 2023, https://metalinjection.net/news/foo-fighters-announces-new-drummer
4. “Did Paiste cymbals reveal the new Foo Fighters drummer early?” MusicRadar, 21 May. 2023, https://www.musicradar.com/news/paiste-cymbals-reveals-foo-fighters-drummer-early-with-blurred-photo-of-drum-kit
5. “Foo Fighters name Josh Freese as new drummer for upcoming tour” WHIO, 21 May. 2023, https://www.whio.com/news/trending/foo-fighters-name-josh-freese-new-drummer-upcoming-tour/ZRC72HJ3IZAY5HY334JKEOYDJI
6. “Who Is New Foo Fighters Drummer Josh Freese? Career, Musical History and More” Chicago Tribune, 21 May. 2023, https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-foo-fighters-new-drummer-20230521-ojbkwv53ivgt5cnbxxcovh6mzm-story.html
7. “Foo Fighters reveal Josh Freese as their new drummer. Who is he?” LA Daily News, 21 May. 2023, https://www.dailynews.com/2023/05/21/foo-fighters-reveal-josh-freese-as-their-new-drummer-who-is-he
8. “Foo Fighters reveal Josh Freese as their new drummer” WJW FOX 8 News Cleveland, 21 May. 2023, https://fox8.com/news/foo-fighters-reveal-new-drummer-after-taylor-hawkins-passing/
9. “Foo Fighters announce Josh Freese as new drummer after death of Taylor Hawkins” CNN, 21 May. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/21/entertainment/foo-fighters-drummer-josh-freese/index.html
10. “Foo Fighters Reveal Drummer Josh Freese As Taylor Hawkins' Successor” PEOPLE, 21 May. 2023, https://people.com/music/foo-fighters-josh-freese-new-drummer/
11. “Foo Fighters Reveal Their New Drummer One Year After Taylor Hawkins' Death” E! NEWS, 21 May. 2023, https://www.eonline.com/news/1375084/foo-fighters-reveal-their-new-drummer-one-year-after-taylor-hawkins-death
12. “Foo Fighters Have Found Their New Live Drummer” UPROXX, 21 May. 2023, https://uproxx.com/indie/foo-fighters-new-live-drummer
13. “Foo Fighters Reveal Josh Freese as Their New Drummer” Rolling Stone, 21 May. 2023, https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/foo-fighters-reveal-josh-freese-new-drummer-1234739298/
14. “Foo Fighters Reveal Josh Freese As New Live Drummer” Consequence, 21 May. 2023, https://consequence.net/2023/05/foo-fighters-new-drummer/
