Dave Grohl paid emotional tribute to his late friend and Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins at a star-studded tribute concert at Wembley Stadium.
Speaking at the event in London on Saturday, he said: “Taylor loved to play and record with anyone and everyone. She loved playing music every day. And there aren’t too many people she’s ever stuck with.
“So this collection of friends, family and musicians, all of that has been brought together by him and we’re all connected here today because of that guy.”
The memorial concert for Hawkins, who died in March aged 50, featured the first live set in 12 years by Them Crooked Vultures, Josh Homme’s supergroup Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin. – as well as performances from Nile Rodgers, The Pretenders, Kesha and Supergrass.
Sir Elton John also paid tribute to Hawkins in a pre-recorded message, telling fans: “I’m so sorry I can’t be with you tonight… I want to pay tribute to Taylor Hawkins because he was a great musician.
“He liked music. He loved to play. He loved the Foo Fighters. Tonight we honor his memory. So make noise because he’d love that.”
Sir Elton’s message was followed by a rendition of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, performed by Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme.
The event, broadcast on MTV’s YouTube channel, was billed as a celebration of the late musician’s “monolithic talent and magnetic personality” and was the Foo Fighters’ first performance since the 50-year-old was found dead in his hotel room in Colombia in March.
There were a number of drummers from world-renowned bands including Queen’s Roger Taylor, Blink-182’s Travis Barker, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich and The Pretenders’ Martin Chambers.
Hawkins’ son Shane was also scheduled to make an appearance.
Funds from concert tickets and merchandise sales will go to the charities Music Support and MusiCares, which were selected by the Hawkins family, who helped organize the event.
Hawkins played in the Foo Fighters, fronted by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, for more than two decades alongside Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee, after joining in 1997.
Taylor Hawkins: Foo Fighters drummer dies at 50 – video
Following his death in March, the band canceled their upcoming tour dates as well as a planned performance at the Grammys.
The London show will be followed by a second concert on September 27 at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles, with artists including Alanis Morissette and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers on the bill.