Taylor Hawkins, the drummer for rock band Foo Fighters, has died at age 50.
The Foo Fighters with Taylor Hawkins, second from left. Photo: AFP
Hawkins' death was announced by the band led by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl on their social media accounts.
"The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins."
"Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time," the band wrote.
The band is currently on a tour in South America and were to play a show in Bogota, Colombia Friday night local time. They were also expected to play the Grammy Awards in April.
Hawkins has been a member of the Foo Fighters since 1997. They have become one of rock's most popular bands, winning 12 Grammy Awards including Best Rock Album four times.
The Foo Fighters have visited New Zealand several times and are currently scheduled to perform in Auckland and Wellington in December.
Tributes were being paid on social media to Hawkins.
Foo Fighters were formed in 1994 by Grohl, after his previous group Nirvana disbanded following the suicide of lead singer Kurt Cobain.
While Grohl drummed for Nirvana, he took on lead vocals and guitar in Foo Fighters, and so Hawkins had the daunting task of drumming in a group founded by one of the most celebrated drummers in rock.
"I was a little nervous at first, but I got over that," he told OC Weekly soon after joining.
"Any instance where you're auditioning for something, you're going to be nervous. But no one can play better than Dave Grohl. He just has this vision in his head."
The two sometimes swapped roles during the band's concerts, with Hawkins taking on vocals. After news of his death was announced many fans shared clips of him singing Queen's 'Somebody to Love.'
'I think we keep getting bigger because we just fuckin' keep showing up' - Listen to RNZ Music 101's 2019 interview with Taylor Hawkins here
This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.
Before joining Foo Fighters, Hawkins drummed for Alanis Morissette.
Paying tribute, Tom Morello, of fellow rockers Rage Against the Machine, tweeted: "God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend."
Ozzy Osbourne said Hawkins was "truly a great person and an amazing musician".
No information on Hawkins' cause of death was immediately available.
- RNZ w/BBC