BOGOTA
Preliminary toxicology tests found that Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins had marijuana, opioids and other drugs in his system before he died, Colombian investigators said on March 27.
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Hawkins, the 50-year-old drummer for the Grammy award-winning rock group, passed away in a hotel in Bogota shortly before the group was set to perform at the Festival Estereo Picnic on the cityâs outskirts, according to a statement Saturday from the mayorâs office.
Colombian investigators said preliminary post-mortem tests found several drugs in the musicianâs system, but did not specify whether the mix caused his death.
âThe urine toxicology tests performed on Taylor Hawkinsâ body preliminarily found 10 types of substances,â including THC, which is found in marijuana, tricyclic anti-depressants, benzodiazepines and opioids, investigators said in a statement.
Forensic doctors were working âto achieve full clarity of the facts that led to death,â they added.
The mayorâs office said a local emergency line received a call late Friday about a âpatient complaining of chest pains.â
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A doctor âperformed the respective resuscitation maneuvers, but there was no response and the patient was declared deceased,â it added, giving no cause of death.
The festival announced the cancellation of the groupâs show, as well as another one set for Sunday in Sao Paulo.
Thousands of shocked and tearful fans at the Bogota venue lit candles and held a minute of silence after the news broke.
âThe Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,â the band said in a statement on Twitter.
âHis musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.â
As part of one of the worldâs most influential and critically lauded alternative rock bands, Hawkins was known for his on-stage charisma and classic rock-inspired beats, which he once said were influenced by legends like Phil Collins and Queenâs Roger Taylor.
He had played with Foo Fighters since 1997, when he was taken on by lead singer and former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, providing percussion on some of the groupâs biggest hits, including âLearn to Flyâ and âBest of You.â
Prior to joining Foo Fighters, Hawkins drummed for Canadian indie songstress Alanis Morissette.
Foo Fighters celebrated their 25th anniversary last year in a pandemic-delayed tour and had most recently produced âStudio 666,â a rock-and-roll horror movie.
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Tributes poured in from across the music world, with Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne hailing Hawkins as a âgreat person and an amazing musician,â and punk rocker Billy Idol describing the news as âtragic.â
Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello praised Hawkinsâ âunstoppable rock power.â
âIn utter disbelief at the news of Taylor Hawkins,â rockers Nickelback said in a statement on Twitter.
âOur deepest condolences to his family, his bandmates, his team, his friends and everyone that was ever touched by the music he created with @foofighters @Alanis and so many others.â
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âLong live Taylor Hawkins,â rock band Pearl Jam said on Twitter.
âHe brought so much joy to the world of music, he will be forever missed,â they said, offering condolences to Hawkinsâ family and bandmates.
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