The Foo Fighters Respect Music... And Each Other

I've been thinking a lot about this since the news that Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins died suddenly over the weekend. As soon as I saw the news, I pretty much decided the band was done. Yet, there was the business of a massive 50 date tour already booked with many sold out shows. I figured the shows would be canceled and I was right.

The Foos didn't waste any time canceling - and that shows a lot of respect for Hawkins and his importance in the band. In the past when a band member died, say for The Who, ZZ Top or The Rolling Stones - the bands just kept on going like nothing happened. I was especially shocked when ZZ Top took barely a breath after the death of Dusty Hill. I know the Foo Fighters are on an entirely different plane of fame - they are arguably one of the biggest rock acts in the world - but still. There is no blueprint for dealing with a tragedy like this and everyone living has the right to make money, but sometimes respect and dignity matter more than ticket sales. The Foo Fighters - and especially Dave Grohl - got this right.

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— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) March 29, 2022

Comments

[crued]

Classy move.

[Him]

Respectfully, I think there is a need for nuance when comparing how bands deal with the death of a band member.

I agree. Classy move on Grohl's/FF's part given Hawkins' sudden passing.

But comparing this event to ZZ, or The Who, or to The Stones (or Zep, or Metallica, or Great White, or . . . you get me. right?) isn't apples to apples. Different bands. Different situations. And we don't know the backstories.

So, while I applaud their decision, I am not going to slag other bands for doing it other ways. And, even if it seems from the outside like other bands acted "like nothing happened," I think that is conjecture at best.

I also think that the level of success a band has might be an issue, but . . . some bands have carried on that were as huge as FF, and some have not. So we'd have to do a bit more with our sample size before we put a stamp on it.

I guess the second to last sentence just struck me as unnecessary. Why not applaud a decision instead of striking out with comparisons? Grief hits us all differently. Same here in the trenches as in the stadium seats (or on the stage).