Accessible Festivals officially launched its Dan Grover Memorial Ticket Grant Program this week, providing a limited number of free access tickets to recreational experiences like concerts, festivals, and conventions for disabled music fans and their loved ones. This marks a huge step forward towards accessibility for all throughout major events across the U.S.
Pictured: Past recipient Cindy Navarro at Escape Festival
Accessible Festivals is partnering with the largest festivals in the country, such as Austin City Limits Music Festival, BottleRock Napa Valley, Electric Daisy Carnival, Lollapalooza, Rolling Loud NY, Stagecoach and more. The idea was born out of the organization’s founder, Austin Whitney’s own personal experience. In 2007, Whitney was injured in a car accident that severed his spinal cord and paralyzed him from the waist down. He became consumed with depression and anxiety about his new life living with a disability.
Photo credit: Abbey Madrid Stagecoach
After some time, Whitney attended his first music festival, Coachella. For the first time since his injury, he was able to simply enjoy life. With the realization of the importance of festival accessibility, he decided to devote his life to ensuring people of all abilities can have an equal opportunity to experience live music and recreational activities to the fullest extent possible.
Photo credit: TJ Hayes Lollapalooza
Dan Grover was born on December 6, 1962, in rural New Jersey. At an early age, he was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic condition that deteriorates muscular strength over time, and began using a wheelchair for mobility at the age of 21.
Dan was responsible for implementing and improving ADA operations at some of the nation’s largest music festivals including Electric Forest, Outside Lands, Life is Beautiful, and many more. He helped ensure thousands of disabled guests were able to see the show safely and comfortably and was a fierce advocate for greater inclusion and accessibility for all.
In an unfortunate turn of events, Dan passed away on July 27, 2022. This program is intended to keep Dan’s legacy alive and honor him by sharing his passion for music and continuing to help other people with disabilities see the show.
Midnight. Blue recently connected the lines between a diverse selection of shooting star quality musical talent working today in order to create the perfect constellation of sound in Perception Records‘ first album, Celebration of the Midnight. Blue album release and launch of Perception Records will be held September 1, 2022 at the Bluebird Theatre in Denver, Colorado. Drummer Adam Deitch took time with NYS Music contributor Em Walis to discuss what makes a good studio experience.
Midnight Blue took musical ingredients from across the diverse offerings of the Denver music scene. Each componant melted into a record with a new take on Neo-Soul, R&B and funk. The sound of each artist is distinct, without overpowering the others. Like a good ensemble movie, plenty of space was provided in exactly the right places. The pristine execution which occurred between musicians friendly with each other outside of the studio allowed for an immersive listening experience.
Breathe by Midnight. Blue
Familiar Faces
Musicians that contributed to the Midnight. Blue studio sessions include: Lyle Divinsky (vocals – formerly of The Motet), Eric Benny Bloom (trumpet – Lettuce), Josh Fairman – (bass – Sunsquabi), Adam Deitch (drums – Lettuce), Ian Gilley (keys – Recess), Jake Jay.Greens Leventhal (guitar – Perception Records), Halle Tomlinson (vocals – The Voice), and G. Finesse (vocals – Black Eagle Society).
“We have a bond as musicians and as friends also.”
Adam Deitch
“It’s when you’re a musician, you do things called recording sessions, yeah. session or other people’s sessions for this thing or a session for a rapper sessions for a guitar player. So you know, I’m also a session musician, but it has to be with the right like minded people and good people, and you know, it’s gotta be worth it. It’s really not that often that I get called to do a session for somebody’s record, and I love doing it, especially if I like the music. This was a nice throwback to I guess, more, really the 70s and 80s early 90s.”
Some members of Midnight. Blue once called the areas in and around New York home. Common ground in Education, cutting teeth in performing and culture surrounding music in a place as special as New York arguably provided an unconscious undercurrent for cohesion between the diverse styles of each artist.
The trust in those enlisted to contribute went as far as songs by players being brought in for the record.
“We’re really comfortable with Josh Pearman, the producer of the record. Jake knew that and and wascool enough to ask me to bring in some songs that I wrote, and not just play drums and that’s how that song Let Me In came about.”
The creative trust in the group extended through the depths of songwriting and collaborative solutions in one instance of lost lyrics.
That was something that I recorded myself played every instrument and wrote the lyrics and sang on it. So I had the demo, but I hate the sound of my singing voice. So I never played it for anybody, it just sits there. Then for some reason, I thought oh, this is a great song that I would love to have somebody that has a great voice sing, you know? [Lyle] sure does. He showed up, and I had lost the lyrics. The lyrics were gone. So we had to like pick out the lyrics from the demo. And I was mumbling on the demo. It’s hard.
Lyle ended up having to write a bunch of lyrics that were lost in the recording. It ended up being a collaboration that I’m glad happened because Lyle added some lyrics that probably made better sense of what I had there first.
Familiar Places
Denver has been named current basecamp for the contributing artists. Recording close to home at a familiar studio created a comfortable atmosphere to produce creative work, without the typical distractions of a “home office” remote recording style many artists had to endure during shutdown.
“We all did it in Denver. We did the recording session right by Red Rocks. It’s called Stanhope and it’s a really cool studio and we’ve all recorded there over the past 15 years. Jake was there he was very quiet and very, very humble and chill and Josh did most of the talking about what he needed for his track. They had already discussed what was needed and, so I just came in and over the course of two or three days, I’d knock out the record.”
Adam Deitch
Some members of Midnight. Blue once called the areas in and around New York home. Common ground in Education, cutting teeth in performing and culture surrounding music in a place as special as New York arguably provided an unconscious undercurrent for cohesion between the diverse styles of each artist.
Feeling comfortable in the environment during creative work could be as important as the people involved.
“Stanhope is one of the best studios in Denver. It’s small. It’s cool. It’s got a basketball hoop outside. I love that basketball. You know, it’s nice to take a break. There used to be an alpac farm. You can see some alpacas and that’s cool. I think I wrote a song called llamas next door. I didn’t even know that they were alpacas and not llamas. So that’s cool about that place and it’s been a family for a while and it’s not corporate at all. It’s owned by a friend of ours, Joel and so you feel really comfortable there. There are sort of no rules besides just make good music and have fun.”
Mental Mosaic
“Small colored pieces of hard materials such as stone, tile or glass. Display arranging together small colored pieces of heart. The walls and vaults are decorated by marble and Mosaic. Okay, so it’s different, different materials that create one, one piece.
Yes. Definitely a collection of different musicians that that are from the Denver seeing that kick. Benny Blum and drew Sayers. Ian and and Josh, and a lot of great players that got together and even though we’re not in bands together. We’ve all played with each other, we all know each other. So, it just really happened and the sound of the band, even though it’s with a bunch of so called session, guys or whatever. It has that feel.”
Midnight. Blue and the story behind its conception felt similar to that of a mosaic. Familiar faces. Familiar places. Trusting individuality. Thoughtful composition uniquely assembled with intention allowed for simultaneous awareness of the beauty of each part as well as the product as a whole. A mosaic’s journey could be thought of in a similar way to a record for a non touring collective. The action could be considered the process of creation and after the release has been celebrated, the legacy will reside in the company it provides to those in possession over a long period of time.
Considerations were taken by contributors to the Midnight. Blue album in regards to what it meant to be a peice of a mosaic.
“What I want to do is switch my mindset from what I want and what I think is perfect. Finding out what they want that’s the most important thing that you know, someone that is hiring you to perform on their record. He wants to give them what they what they want from you and a lot of the times they just want what you would do, you know, like give me that Deitch shit.”
Perspective
Excitement for records, especially in genres that define themselves through attendance of upcoming events might not give a record with only one show scheduled a chance. There might not initially feel like a ton of excitement in listening to something carefully constructed in a controlled space and lacking the fond memories of times with friend associated with a live recording. The tracks might not feel enticing because every time the song is visited, it will be the same version, lasting the same amount of time with the same features.
“The collaboration. I love the vibe. It was so, fresh and what I think it’ll really open up how we kind of get pigeonholed when when you play a certain type of music of how how far the derivatives can go. It seems like this is just something that hopefully it’ll help be a little eye opening and broadening for some folks.”
Uncertainty
With uncertainty comes excitement. It could be asserted that there is more certainty, and therefore less excitement with an exclusive relationship with consuming exclusively live music. The notion of more certainty and less excitement goes for the culture which surrounds exclusive live music as well. The usual suspects will be riding the rail. Noah Ray will be doing something extremely nice for another fan, and each song will be a slightly different length with perhaps a slightly varying pace.
“I love that kind of music and even though it’s like hardcore funk, hip hop, you know, like, yeah, so, you know, we’re not really like, get credit. We don’t we’re not really getting the neo soul scene”
When keeping the musical company constant, suddenly a slew of new variables for experiences begin to present themselves. Not knowing how our relationship to the same songs and lyrics might change invites a leap of faith when connecting with certain tracks. The impactful nature music has on our entire executive function, memory and mood can create bridges to both wonderful and horrible places. Should we begin associating a record with a home, a person or a moment in time, the familiarity can instantly transport us back to the associations and feelings.
Excitement in Unexpected Places
Forming emotional bonds with a beautifully studio-tracked musical journey means not being able to discard live recordings of a favorite song because we were not there or distasteful experience on that certain day at that certain place. The one record is it and especially with a moody low-key feel like the one from Midnight. Blue, meaningful associations are bound to form. If a favorite song plays and desire to listen in the company of a certain someone start to form, it will be difficult to shift it to another person in the future. Hopefully that connection continues to reward with a warm uplift with every listen.
Naming Purpose
It might be interesting to consider the types of music consumed and what powers it could provide for us in the future.
Try looking at live music like the medicine. The guaranteed silver lining. If we are feeling sad and need a boost from people we know we will see and songs we know we will dance to, perhaps we could put on a song from a live show we loved and buy tickets for something coming up.
The studio record could be though of like the bit of artwork in our parent’s bathroom. It is consistent. It is in the same spot with the same colors. Some days we might notice the way it catches the light at a certain time of day and give it more attention. Other times, it is just there in the bathroom like always. The importance might only be realized when it is time to take that artwork down and all of the times it has kept us company in our most private moments, never judging if you forgot to brush your teeth or why you took solace by its side to cry in privacy.
Potential In The Unknown
A studio record like the one from Midnight. Blue holds a pleasant consistency yielding prosperous longevity. It could be put on when having a dashing new acquaintance over for dinner, or fill the space between turns in a boardgames played with friends or family. It is complex enough for a private meditative escape from reality. It might not provide the same high as pressing “confirm” for flights booked to attend that show in that cool place to hear that song played a new way and possibly with a record breaking length of jam. It will keep you company in the quiet times. It will yield no emotional rollercoasters due to permit revocations and festival postponements. Midnight. Blue will provide a positive stability and present its meaning as we make our way through this journey called life.
Celebrating 10 years since his first release Enter the Void in 2012, Joey Bada$$ performed at House of Blues San Diego on July 27. With a double decker venue, open house bar and mosh pit, House of Blues held a great environment for the show.
Joey was born and raised in Brooklyn and a member of the hip hop collective, releasing 3 mixtapes along with various solos. With his debut album 1999, produced at age 17, Badas$$ finally got the recognition he deserved in June 2012.
Joey’s opener Capella Grey set the tone for the crowd and left them begging for more prior to Joey Bada$$’s set.
It was a big night not only for Joey but for his fans and their excitement to the new album release 2000. The album set the bar and exceeded all expectations since the last release back in 2017. Including hits such as “Brand New 911” and “Written in the Stars” along with many others.
Joey noted it had been 5 years since his last release and performed some of his greatest hits “Devasted” and “Temptation” from ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, released in 2017. During the show he stated “I had a kid, a babygirl,” and shared how his daughter Indigo Rain has become a huge part of his life outside of making music, and played a role in such a big comeback.
With 10 years under his belt and many more to come Joey continues to bring his own groove to rap and the hip hop community.
Alternative rock pioneers, the Pixies, have announced an intimate 4-date U.S. tour set to kick-off on October, 1. After being benched for nearly two years due to COVID, this set of performances will come on the heels of a massive global tour that begins in June. During that time, the Pixies will perform at a number of festivals throughout Europe, Asia and South America. Their return will be quickly followed by the September 30 release of their 8th studio album, Doggerel (BMG).
Their October run will see them perform at four intimate venues between California and New York. Beginning on October, 1 at SOMA and concluding on October, 5 at New York City’s Terminal 5 venue. As is the Pixies’ “standard,” the band will draw from their extensive catalogue to perform a different set every night. Attendees can expect the band to perform not only some of the most beloved Pixies songs, but also, new tracks from Doggerel.
Doggerel album cover
Pixies have been acclaimed as the most influential, pioneering band of the late 80s alternative rock movement, having served as a major influence for bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, the Strokes, Weezer, and many more. The group has released seven studio albums including the Gold- certified Surfer Rosa, and the iconic Platinum, Doolittle.
Dates for the Pixies October slate can be found below, while tickets are on sale here.
Pixies October Tour dates
Sat. October, 1 – San Diego, CA – SOMA Sun. October, 2 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
Harry Styles has announced his upcoming tour, “Love On Tour 2022” will include 15 performances at Madison Square Garden while showcasing his third studio album, Harry’s House.
Styles’ fans will have the chance to see him in concert multiple times within each city he visits. In addition to Madison Square Garden, he will stop at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON for two nights, Moody Center in Austin, TX for five nights, United Center in Chicago, IL for five nights, and lastly Kia Forum in Los Angeles, CA for ten nights.
Harry is known to be one of the most influential performers and artists of this generation. He has sold out shows a multitude of times, especially within the last year during his tour in 2021. With such a great reputation, Styles’ fans will be in for a treat.
Registration for Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan pre sale tickets are available until May 19 at 10 P.M. ET. After receiving the code, fans will have access to purchase tickets in advance on May 25 at 12 P.M. Meanwhile, for the general public, tickets will drop May 26 at 12 P.M.
HARRY STYLES LOVE ON TOUR 2022 DATES:
Mon Aug 15 –Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena is Harry’s House^
Tue Aug 16 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena is Harry’s House^
Sat Aug 20 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden is Harry’s House*!
Sun Aug 21 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden is Harry’s House*!
Mon Aug 22 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden is Harry’s House*!
Fri Aug 26 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden is Harry’s House*!
Sat Aug 27 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden is Harry’s House*!
Sun Aug 28 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden is Harry’s House*
Thu Sep 01 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden is Harry’s House*
Fri Sep 02 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden is Harry’s House*
Sat Sep 03 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden is Harry’s House*
Wed Sep 07 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden is Harry’s House*
Thu Sep 08 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden is Harry’s House*
Sat Sep 10 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden is Harry’s House*
Wed Sep 14 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden is Harry’s House*
Thu Sep 15 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden is Harry’s House*
Wed Sep 21 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden is Harry’s House*
Sun Sep 25 – Austin, TX – Moody Center is Harry’s House~
Mon Sep 26 – Austin, TX – Moody Center is Harry’s House~
Wed Sep 28 – Austin, TX – Moody Center is Harry’s House~
Thu Sep 29 – Austin, TX – Moody Center is Harry’s House~
Sun Oct 02 – Austin, TX – Moody Center is Harry’s House~
Thu Oct 06 – Chicago, IL – United Center is Harry’s House#
Sat Oct 08 – Chicago, IL – United Center is Harry’s House#
Sun Oct 09 – Chicago, IL – United Center is Harry’s House#
Thu Oct 13 – Chicago, IL – United Center is Harry’s House#
Fri Oct 14 – Chicago, IL – United Center is Harry’s House#
Mon Oct 31 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum is Harry’s House+
Wed Nov 02 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum is Harry’s House+
Fri Nov 04 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum is Harry’s House+
Sat Nov 05 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum is Harry’s House+
Mon Nov 07 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum is Harry’s House+
Wed Nov 09 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum is Harry’s House+
Fri Nov 11 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum is Harry’s House+
Sat Nov 12 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum is Harry’s House+
Mon Nov 14 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum is Harry’s House+
Tue Nov 15 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum is Harry’s House+
^Madi Diaz *Blood Orange ~Gabriels #Jessie Ware +Ben Harper
On the day they released their sixth album WE, Arcade Fire has announced an extensive tour that features European and North American legs. Arcade Fire makes their way to New York on Friday, November 4th with a stop at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The tour starts in late August at Dublin, Ireland’s 3Arena, and ends in Toronto, Ontario on December 1st at Scotiabank Arena.
The WE world tour will bring the full production of Arcade Fire’s “must-see live act” (Variety) experience to global stages. For all European dates, Feist will be the special guest, while the North American leg will include Beck performing an acoustic set each night.
Arcade Fire – Bowery Ballroom – photo by Michael David Reichmann
Tickets for all dates will be on sale to the public beginning Friday, May 13th at 10 am. Arcade Fire has partnered with PLUS1 with $1/£1/€1 per ticket going to KANPE and their work bringing support to the most vulnerable communities in Haiti. Tickets are on sale here.
Arcade Fire WE Tour 2022
European Tour
08/30/22 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena *
09/02/22 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena Birmingham *
09/03/22 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena *
09/05/22 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro *
09/08/22 – London, UK – The O2 *
09/11/22 – Lille, FR – Zenith *
09/12/22 – Antwerp, BE – Sportpaleis *
09/14/22 – Cologne, DE – Lanxess Arena *
09/15/22 – Paris, FR – Accor Arena *
09/17/22 – Milan, IT – Mediolanum Forum *
09/18/22 – Munich, DE – Olympiahalle *
09/21/22 – Madrid, ES – WiZink Center *
09/22/22 – Lisbon, PT – Campo Pequeno *
09/23/22 – Lisbon, PT – Campo Pequeno *
09/25/22 – Bordeaux, FR – Arkea Arena *
09/26/22 – Nantes, FR – Zenith de Nantes *
09/28/22 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome *
09/29/22 – Berlin, DE – Mercedes Benz Arena *
10/01/22 – Warsaw, PL – COS Torwar *
North American Tour
10/28/22 – Washington, DC – The Anthem ^
11/01/22 – Camden, NJ – Waterfront Music Pavilion ^
11/04/22 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center ^
11/08/22 – Boston, MA – MGM Fenway Music Hall ^
11/10/22 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena ^
11/12/22 – Chicago, IL – United Center ^
11/13/22 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory ^
11/16/22 – Los Angeles, CA – The Kia Forum ^
11/19/22 – San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium ^
Legendary band of 45 years, The B-52s, have announced their farewell tour, beginning this August. Within their 11 city tour, the group will stop in New York at the Beacon Theatre, on October 13 and 14.
Considering the group has over 20 million albums, there is no doubt their tour will be a success. The B-52s have been one of the most monumental pop groups since the 70s and continue to make such a heavy influence on the music industry. This tour will conclude in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre.
However, a tour is not the only thing in store for The B-52s. In fact, their long awaited documentary, directed by Craig Johnson, and executively produced by Fred Armisen, will air in 2023. This film will discuss their musical journey as a group and share never before seen footage, as well as highlight the impact they still have on music.
No one likes to throw a party more than we do, but after almost a half-century on the road, it’s time for one last blow-out with our friends and family…our fans. And with KC & The Sunshine Band and The Tubes on board, it’s going to be one hell of a farewell party at these concerts.
moe. has announced they will play a handful of tour dates for this summer, joined by Suke Cerulo on guitar and Nate Wilson on keys for a majority of the shows.
The shows were announced as “for the remainder of the year” meaning moe.rons will only have 8 chances to catch moe., following shows at Summer Camp Music Festival in May, and Norfolk Harborfest and City Bisco in June.
A free show on July 6 in Albany will take place at the Empire State Plaza, with a performance at Levitate in Marshfield, MA the next day, followed by Great South Bay Music Festival in Patchogue. They’ll then return to New York for two shows over Labor Day weekend in Lake George.
Sitting out the run is moe. guitarist Chuck Garvey as he continues to recover from a stroke. Chuck is making progress but will need some more time to get back to the stage with his bandmates. moe. hopes you’ll join them for a celebration of life, music and the fa.moe.ly they have built over the past 30 years. An artist pre-sale begins on Wednesday, April 27 at noon at moe.org
We want to thank our famoe.ly once again for the love and support you’ve shown Chuck over these past five months. He’s continuing to get better day by day, and your thoughts and energy have kept our spirits up. It’s become clear over the past number of years that you can never know what tomorrow will bring, which makes the chance to come together as a community that much more meaningful.
7/6 – Albany, NY * 7/7 – Buffalo, NY 7/9 – Patchogue, NY (Great South Bay Music Festival) 7/10 – Seaside Heights, NJ 9/2 – Jay, VT + 9/3-9/4 – Lake George, NY ^ 9/23-24 – St. Helena, CA
* Free Show + Tickets and lodging packages on-sale the week of 5/2 ^ Official announcement and on-sale date TBD
This summer, Dead and Company will embark on a 20 show cross-country tour, including shows at SPAC and Bethel Woods, plus a two-night tour-closing run at Citi Field.
Summer 2022 marks the seventh tour for Dead and Company – Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, John Mayer, and Bob Weir, with Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Chimenti – since forming in 2015.
During the Dead and Company 2022 Summer Tour, the band will make stops at Bay Area at Shoreline Amphitheater, two nights at University of Colorado Boulder’s Folsom Field, two nights at Wrigley Field in Chicago, a night at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, and a night at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, before wrapping up with epic shows at Citi Field in New York.
Dead and Company are no strangers to New York, having kicked off their first ever tour in Albany at the Times Union Center in October 2015, along with annual stops in Saratoga Springs, New York City, and all points in between.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, April 8 @ 10 AM at deadandcompany.com
To ensure fans get tickets directly in their hands, Fan Registration is now available HERE until Sunday, April 3 at 12 Noon PDT, through Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program.
Dead & Company 2022 Summer Tour
Sat Jun 11 Los Angeles, CA Dodger Stadium
Mon Jun 13 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
Tue Jun 14 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
Fri Jun 17 Boulder, CO Folsom Field
Sat Jun 18 Boulder, CO Folsom Field
Tue Jun 21 Maryland Heights, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Wed Jun 22 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
Fri Jun 24 Chicago, IL Wrigley Field
Sat Jun 25 Chicago, IL Wrigley Field
Tue Jun 28 Noblesville, IN Ruoff Music Center
Wed Jun 29 Clarkston, MI Pine Knob Music Theatre
Fri Jul 01 Bethel, NY Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Sat Jul 02 Foxborough, MA Gillette Stadium
Tue Jul 05 Hartford, CT The XFINITY Theatre
Wed Jul 06 Saratoga Springs, NY SPAC
Fri Jul 08 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
Sun Jul 10 Philadelphia, PA Citizens Bank Park
Tue Jul 12 Burgettstown, PA The Pavilion at Star Lake
Taylor Hawkins, the drummer for the Foo Fighters, died unexpectedly at 50 years old. A statement released on the band’s Twitter confirmed his death shortly before they were scheduled to perform in Bogotá, Colombia.
Photo by Michael Dinger, MSG June 20, 2021
Hawkins, known for his signature long blond hair and technically proficient drumming, joined the band in 1997. Foo Fighters founder Dave Grohl first met Hawkins backstage at a concert in the ‘90s. After playing drums himself on the band’s first two albums he decided to call Hawkins to see if he would be willing to step in. As soon as he, got the call Hawkins accepted.
At the time he was on tour with Alanis Morrissette with her record setting album, Jagged Little Pill. Once the tour was over, he joined the Foo Fighters for their third album There is Nothing Left to Lose.
Hawkins grew up in Southern California after moving there from Fort Worth with his family. He started playing drums at 10 years old. At home he cites his mother as his biggest supporter.
Taylor Hawkins at Madison Square Garden, June 20, 2021 – photo by Michael Dinger
“When I first got drums, she was the one who would watch me play,” Hawkins said in an interview with the New York Times last year. ”She was a big supporter and told me I’d make it.”
His most important influence musically was Queen. In particular, a show he attended as a 10 year, having recently started to play drums.
“It changed everything, and I was never the same because of it,” he said in the same New York Times interview. “It was the beginning of my obsession with rock ’n’ roll, and I knew that I wanted to be in a huge rock band.”
Taylor Hawkins at Sonic Temple Festival, May 2019 – photo by Joshua Davis
His career started in his native Southern California where he would end up playing in the band for the singer Sass Jordan. His big break came when he landed the tour gig on Alanis Morrissette’s drummer.
Ultimately, it was his personal relationship with Grohl that would convince him to leave her band and join the Foo Fighters. Hawkins would later contribute songwriting and, even, did some vocals on a few songs. As a member of the Foo Fighters he was nominated for 29 Grammy Awards, winning 12. The most recent a 2018 win for Best Rock Song for their song “Run”.
A cause of death has not been announced, although Variety has reported that various drugs were found in Hawkins’ system by Colombian authorities. He is survived by his wife Alison and their three children.
