Taylor Hawkins was born on February 16, 1972 in Fort Worth, Texas. Hawkins is not only a drummer but also an adept musician, best known of as the drummer of the rock band Foo Fighters.
After touring through the spring of 1996, the band entered a Seattle studio with producer Gil Norton to record its second album. Conflict erupted between Dave Grohl and then drummer, William Goldsmith, eventually causing Goldsmith to leave the band. The band regrouped in Los Angeles and almost completely re-recorded the album with Grohl on drums.
The album, The Colour and the Shape, was released on May 20, 1997. In need of a drummer, Grohl contacted Alanis Morissette’s touring drummer Taylor Hawkins to see if he could recommend anybody. Grohl was surprised when Hawkins volunteered himself. Hawkins made his Foo debut in time for the album’s release. He has remained the band’s drummer since then.
In addition to his drumming duties with the Foo Fighters, Hawkins co-wrote and sang on the band’s latest double-album, In Your Honor. Live, he occasionally provides backing vocals and at times lead vocals while Dave Grohl plays drums.
Hawkins sings lead vocals on the track “Cold Day in the Sun” on the acoustic side of In Your Honor.
Prior to joining the band in 1997, he was the touring drummer for Alanis Morissette on her Jagged Little Pill tour, as well as the drummer in a short-lived experimental band called Sylvia. He started a band named Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, in which he plays drums and sings. His spare time is spent creating more music in the 1970s’ cover band Chevy Metal with Achim Dangerfield and Wiley Hodgden.
Hawkins has said that his drumming has been influenced by Roger Taylor of Queen and Stewart Copeland of The Police. He was voted “Best Rock Drummer” in 2005 by UK drumming magazine, Rhythm.
Hawkins also recently recorded drums for the upcoming Coheed and Cambria album.
At Live Earth in 2007, Hawkins was part of SOS Allstars with Roger Taylor of Queen and Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers.
