Queen's Roger Taylor addresses speculation his son Rufus will drum for Foo Fighters

It's unclear who will tour with the band

Queen's Roger Taylor and The Darkness' Rufus Taylor
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 25th Apr 2023

Queen’s Roger Taylor has addressed speculation that his son Rufus Taylor will drum for Foo Fighters.

Roger Taylor was very close to self-professed Queen superfan Taylor Hawkins and made him Godfather to his son, Rufus, who was also good friends with Hawkins and mentored by him.

Following Taylor Hawkins’ death in March 2022, Roger Taylor dedicated his OBE to the memory of Hawkins, while Rufus Taylor performed ‘Best of You’ with Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts in London and Los Angeles.

Since then, fans have been pondering who might be joining Foo Fighters as their new drummer with The Darkness’ Rufus Taylor and esteemed musician Josh Freese among the names in the rumour mill.

Foo Fighters returned last week with their new single ‘Rescued’ and details of their upcoming “emotionally raw” album ‘But Here We Are’. However, with the band set to perform their first headline shows since Taylor Hawkins’ passing next month, it’s still unclear who will behind the drum kit.

Taylor Hawkins and Roger Taylor in 2006

Speaking to BBC Radio 2 this week about his friendship with Taylor Hawkins, Roger Taylor said: "I was in almost daily contact with dear Taylor. (His death) was heart-breaking. He’s Godfather to my son, Rufus. I love the Foo Fighters, they’re like my brothers. It’s very hard (knowing he’s gone)."

Asked how Rufus is doing and if there was any truth to the Foo Fighters rumours, Roger replied: “Well, Rufus is phenomenal. He’s turned into this scary, great drummer with The Darkness. I watched them the other day at Wembley Arena. Phenomenal. Absolutely phenomenal band, great band live. I love The Darkness. My son, he’s just annoyingly powerful and he’s become very, very good. I can’t say any more!"

Pressed again about whether Rufus might tour with the Foos, Roger responded: "Well, he does play brilliantly with them. He knows all their stuff, knows them all very well. He did play ‘Best of You’ with the Foos, and it was phenomenal at Wembley, and at The Forum in LA. What exactly is happening now, I don’t know.”

Returning to the loss of Taylor Hawkins, Roger added: “We’re never going to forget him. I can’t take him out of my phone.”

The worldwide smash-hit musical We Will Rock You by Queen and Ben Elton returns to London Coliseum for a 12-week run this summer and autumn.

60 photos of the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium:

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


Supergrass at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


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


Rush at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


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


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 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'

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