Things have been tumultuous in theFooFighterscamp for the past couple of years. Tragedy struck the band in 2022 when drummerTaylor Hawkinspassed away suddenly right before a show in Bogotá, Colombia. The band was devastated and promptly canceled all tour dates that year, with the exception of twoTaylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts—one at the Forum and another at Wembley Stadium. In 2023, however, it was time to go back to work. They put together a critically acclaimed album,But Here We Are,dedicated to their beloved bandmate, and embarked on a tour with drummerJosh Freese.Sadly, it seems things with Freese didn’t work out, andthe drummer was dismissed after two years, with reportedly no explanation. Fans were baffled byDave Grohl’ssilence on the matter, so it was a surprise to see him address the situation with a letter celebrating the band’s 30th anniversary.
Dave Grohl Addresses Josh Freese’s Departure in Personal Letter
TheFoo Fighterssurprised fans this week with the release of a new single, the first new release sinceBut Here We Arein June 2023. The new track, titled “Today’s Song,” is an homage to the history of the band, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and a loving tribute to late drummer Taylor Hawkins. The song is heartbreakingly honest about the tragedies they’ve had to face, but has an undeniable message of hope for the future.
Dave Grohl prefaced the release of the single with a long, heartfelt letterrecounting his experience putting the band together, meeting and becoming close friends with everyone in the band, and the many ups and downs they faced together.
“This band began almost as an excuse. A reason to hang instruments around our necks and smoke cigarettes with the windows rolled up while listening to our favorite cassettes as we barreled down the interstate towards the next dark, sticky stage,” he wrote. However, “the detours and unpredictability of it all made us feel alive.What was once an ‘excuse’ to exist had now became a ‘reason.‘And with each year, each tour, each album, the roots grew deeper, the tree taller.”
Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl Wrote the Song That Saved a Legendary Late-Night Host’s Life
Dave Grohl wrote this song in 45 minutes in the midst of his divorce.
Noticeably, Grohl also mentioned the previous band members. Including Josh Freese. He wasn’t the only drummer to be dismissed from theFoo Fighters.Before Hawkins joined in 1997, the original drummer,William Goldsmith,left the band after Grohl rerecorded his drum parts on the secondFoo Fightersalbum,The Color and the Shape.Grohl explained his reasoning in theFoo Fighters: Back and Forthdocumentary and expressed regret about how he handled the situation. He addressed Goldsmith and Freese’s departure, as well as their contributions, in his letter.
“It should go without saying that without the boundless energy of William Goldsmith, the seasoned wisdom of Franz Stahl, and the thunderous wizardry of Josh Freese, this story would be incomplete, so we extend our heartfelt gratitude for the time, music, and memories that we shared with each of them over the years. Thank you, gentlemen.”
The Heartbreaking Paragraph About Taylor Hawkins
The loss of Taylor Hawkins left a gaping wound in the band, and it was a particularly harsh blow for Dave Grohl, who was the drummer’s closest friend. As a drummer himself, Grohl clicked with Hawkins in a way that’s rare among musicians, so it makes sense that it’s not easy for him to find a suitable replacement in the band.Grohl has dedicated several tracks to Hawkinsin the latestFoo Fightersrecord, and even this latest single was inspired by the loss and the seemingly impossible task of moving forward through grief.
“And… Taylor. Your name is spoken every day, sometimes with tears, sometimes with a smile, but you are still in everything we do, everywhere we go, forever,” Grohl said in his letter.
“The enormity of your beautiful soul is only rivaled by the infinite longing we feel in your absence. We all miss you beyond words. Foo Fighters will forever include Taylor Hawkins in every note that we play, until we do finally reach our destination.”
“It may take a lifetime to find you - It may take a lifetime to unwind you - Praying there’s some way to remind you,” Grohl sings in the newFoo Fighterstrack.
TheFoo Fightershave a lot of healing to do, but this song is a good start. As they prepare for their upcoming tour dates later this year, fans are still speculating about what the new lineup will look like. But despite the tragedy and their complicated present, it’s clear they are set on moving forward, and there will be newFoo Fightersmusic for many years to come.
