Watch 100 drummers perform 'My Hero' to mark first anniversary of Taylor Hawkins' death

An emotional performance

100 drummers perform 'My Hero' in tribute to Taylor Hawkins

Author: Scott ColothanPublished 24th Mar 2023
Last updated 24th Mar 2023

On the eve of the first anniversary of Taylor Hawkins’ death tomorrow (25th March), 100 drummers have joined forces to perform Foo Fighters’ ‘My Hero.’

Belgian band Black Box Revelation and 100 drummers took to the 18,000-capacity indoor arena Sportpaleis Antwerp to film the spine-tingling performance. It was the last venue in Belgium that Taylor Hawkins played with Foo Fighters before his death.

Sharing the 'My Hero' video, Black Box Revelation said: "Taylor Hawkins was the best drummer of our times. Honouring him with this tribute was an experience we will never forget."

Gino Kesteloot, one of the participating musicians, commented: "It's the first time I played together with 100 other drummers. It sounded great, I even got goosebumps all over my body! Wonderful to honour our hero this way."

Watch 100 drummers perform ‘My Hero’ in tribute to Taylor Hawkins:

Taylor Hawkins died on 25th March 2022 at the Four Seasons Casa Medina hotel in Bogota, Colombia during Foo Fighters’ South American tour. He was just 50 years old.

Foo Fighters cancelled all upcoming shows in the wake of Hawkins’ deaths, however they later organised and performed at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts in London and Los Angeles last September.

Among the many performers at the tribute concerts was Taylor Hawkins’ teenage son Shane, who played drums on ‘My Hero’ with Foo Fighters.

Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee confirmed in a New Year’s message to fans they were continuing as a band in Hawkins’ memory.

Since then, they have announced a series of festival and standalone shows across the United States, plus festival dates in Brazil, Japan and Germany.

It’s currently unclear who, if anyone, will be replacing Taylor Hawkins behind the drum kit. The Darkness’ Rufus Taylor and Josh Freese are among the names being discussed by fans.

60 incredible photos of the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert in London:

Dave Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

The hardest working man on the night, Dave Grohl.

Liam Gallagher at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Accompanied by Foo Fighters, former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher opened the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert with 'Rock N' Roll Star' and 'Live Forever.'

Pat Smear at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Nile Rodgers at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Music legend Nile Rodgers performed David Bowie's 'Let's Dance' with Omar Hakim, Chris Chaney and Josh Homme. Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes' performed vocals on 'Modern Love.'

Nile Rodgers at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Taylor Hawkins was a huge fan of David Bowie's music. Much of the evening was geared towards Hawkins' favourite artists and songs.

Gaz Coombes at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes performs with Nile Rodgers, Omar Hakim and Chris Chaney.

Chevy Metal at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Chevy Metal opened their performance with a cover of 'Psycho Killer' by The Talking Heads.

Chevy Metal at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Kesha at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Pop singer Kesha joined Chevy Metal for a cover of 'Children of the Revolution' by T.Rex.

Kesha at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Justin Hawkins at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

The Darkness' Justin Hawkins joined forces with The Coattail Riders for his first performance of the evening.

Justin Hawkins at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Justin Hawkins sang 'Range Rover Bitch' and 'It's Over' with The Coattail Riders.

Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Alongside Justin Hawkins on vocals, Dave Grohl on bass and Josh Freese on drums, Wolfgang Halen performed covers of Van Halen's 'On Fire' and 'Hot For Teacher.'

Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Wolfgang Van Halen with Dave Grohl.

Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Wolfgang Van Halen with Justin Hawkins

Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Wolfgang Van Halen shreds with Justin Hawkins looking on.

Violet Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Honouring one of Taylor Hawkins' favourite artists, Dave Grohl's teenage daughter Violet covered Jeff Buckley's 'Grace' and 'Last Goodbye.'

Violet Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Supergrass at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Another of Taylor Hawkins' favourite bands, Supergrass performed 'Richard III', 'Alright' and 'Caught By The Fuzz'.

Supergrass at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Them Crooked Vultures at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Them Crooked Vultures – Josh Homme, John Paul Jones and Dave Grohl - reunited after a decade away.

John Paul Jones at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Them Crooked Vultures performed 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', 'Gunman' and 'Long Slow Goodbye'

Them Crooked Vultures at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

The Pretenders at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

The Pretenders performed 'Precious', 'Tattooed Love Boys' and 'Brass In Pocket' with Dave Grohl.

Joe Walsh at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Joe Walsh and his reunited James Gang band mates performed 'Walk Away', 'The Bomber' and 'Funk #49', the latter featuring Dave Grohl.

Josh Homme and Dave Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Them Crooked Vultures band mates Josh Homme and Dave Grohl backstage.

Violet Grohl and Mark Ronson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Together with Chris Chaney and Jason Falkner, Violet Grohl and Mark Ronson covered 'Valerie' by The Zutons.

Violet Grohl and Mark Ronson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Together with Foo Fighters and Metallica's Lars Ulrich, Brian Johnson performed AC/DC's 'Back in Black' and 'Let There Be Rock.' Justin Hawkins also appeared on stage briefly.

Lars Ulrich at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich joined forces with Foo Fighters and Brian Johnson.

Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Brian Johnson with Dave Grohl

Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Brian Johnson with Justin Hawkins

Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Brian Johnson with Chris Shiflett

Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Brian Johnson with Dave Grohl

Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Brian Johnson with Nate Mendel

Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Stewart Copeland at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Joined by Foo Fighters and Supergrass' Gaz Coombes, The Police's Stewart Copeland performed 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic' and 'Next To You.'

Rush at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

With Dave Grohl and Omar Hakim filling in for the late-great Neil Peart, Rush's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson arrived on stage to a hero's welcome.

Rush's Alex Lifeson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Rush performed '2112: Overture', 'Working Man' and 'YYZ'

Rush at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Queen's Roger Taylor at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

With Luke Spiller, Roger Taylor, Justin Hawkins and Sam Ryder on vocal duties, Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor performed 'We Will Rock You', 'I'm In Love With My Car', 'Under Pressure' and 'Somebody To Love'

Queen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Dave Grohl performing with Queen's Roger Taylor and Brian May, plus Rufus Taylor on drums.

Sam Ryder and Brian May at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Eurovision runner up Sam Ryder belts out 'Somebody To Love' with Queen.

Brian May at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

The Queen set ended with Brian May performing 'Love Of My Life' acoustically.

Queen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

The crowd during Queen

Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Dave Grohl breaks down in tears during set opener 'Times Like These'

Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

An emotional Dave Grohl during 'Times Like These'

Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Chris Shiflett and Dave Grohl

Nandi Bushell at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

12-year-old Nandi Bushell played drums on 'Learn to Fly' with Foo Fighters. The band were also joined by Josh Freese, Travis Barker, Rufus Taylor and Omar Hakim throughout the set. Taylor Hawkins' son Shane poignantly performed 'My Hero' in honour of his late dad.

Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Paul McCartney at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Foo Fighters were joined by surprise guest Paul McCartney and Chrissie Hynde for versions of The Beatles' 'Oh Darlin' and 'Helter Skelter'.

Paul McCartney at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Paul McCartney with Dave Grohl and Pat Smear

Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Foo Fighters take the final bow after Dave Grohl's performance of 'Everlong'

Listen to Absolute Radio across the UK on your digital radio, the free Rayo app, by hitting that play button on the bottom of your screen or by asking your smart speaker to "play Absolute Radio".