Chad Smith of the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS has apologized to Taylor Hawkins’ family for his comments to Rolling Stone magazine about the late FOO FIGHTERS drummer.
On Monday (Could 16), Rolling Stone published a report claiming that in the months leading up to his death, Hawkins was hesitant about returning to the road following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and wasn’t sure he’d be able to stay a full-time member of the FOO FIGHTERS if they continued to tour at the same pace.
Smith verified to Rolling Stone that it was Hawkins who passed out on a plane in Chicago last December, according to the article. He was described as “a member of the FOO FIGHTERS” in information from the period. “He just said he was fatigued and fell, and they needed to pump him full of IVs and whatnot,” Chad told Rolling Stone. “He was dehydrated and had a lot of other issues.” “I am unable to do it like this longer,” Hawkins told Smith following the event.
Smith made the following statement on social media earlier today: “Taylor was one of my closest friends, and I could do something for his family.” I used to be begging Rolling Stone to share some memories of our time together, which I thought would be the loving homage he deserved. Instead, the story they wrote was sensationalized and dishonest, and if I had known, I would not have consented to participate. I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused his family and musical friends.”
The Rolling Stone article also includes remarks from Matt Cameron of PEARL JAM and SOUNDGARDEN, who told the publication that “[Taylor] had a heart-to-heart with Dave [Grohl, FOO FIGHTERS leader] and, sure, he told me that he ‘could not fucking do it anymore’ — these were his expressions.” So I suppose they came to an agreement, but it just appears that the touring schedule got even crazy after that,” Matt explained.
“Once I decided to participate in the Rolling Stone piece on Taylor, I imagined it would be a celebration of his life and accomplishments,” Matt wrote on Instagram a few hours earlier than Chad made his claim. My quotes were taken out of context and twisted into a story I had not anticipated.
“Taylor was a dear friend and a future degree artist. I’m missing him. Taylor, Dave, and the FOO FIGHTERS families have my undying love and admiration.
“I’m truly sorry for missing half of this interview, and I regret if my involvement caused any harm to those for whom I have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration.”
Hawkins’ longtime friend and former boss, singer Sass Jordan, was reported in the report as stating, “Truthfully, I believe he was simply so drained.” “I’m tired of the whole thing.”
“The truth that he lastly spoke to Dave and truly informed him that he could not do that and that he would not do that anymore, that was liberating for him,” said a colleague and friend of Hawkins who asked to remain anonymous. That took a lot of balls. It took a year to build up the center in that way.”
According to Rolling Stone, Cameron believes Hawkins committed to continue touring with FOO FIGHTERS at the required tempo to remain a staff member.
“[A band like that] is a massive machine with a large payroll,” Cameron explained. “So, when something is that big and has inherent tension, like any organization, you have to be aware of the enterprise part of it.”
Hawkins never brought up any of the issues outlined in the Rolling Stone piece, according to a FOO FIGHTERS spokesman.
Hawkins’ family has failed to comment despite Rolling Stone’s persistent requests for interviews with his relatives and bandmates for the piece.
Hawkins was discovered dead on March 25 at the 4 Seasons Casa Medina in Bogota, Colombia, while on tour with FOO FIGHTERS. Hawkins’ official cause of death has yet to be revealed, but on March 26, Colombia’s attorney general’s office released a preliminary toxicology report, stating that medical experts discovered evidence of 10 different substances in Hawkins’ body, including opioids, benzodiazepines, marijuana, and antidepressants.
The complete report from Rolling Stone may be found here.