Taylor Hawkins

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Taylor Hawkins
Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters
Background information
Birth name	Taylor Hawkins
Born	February 17, 1972 (age 35)
Origin	Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Genre(s)	Rock Alternative rock
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instrument(s)	Drums Guitar Vocals
Associated acts	Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders Foo Fighters Alanis Morissette

Taylor Hawkins (born Oliver Taylor Hawkins on February 17, 1972 at Harris Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas) is an American musician, best known as the drummer of the rock band Foo Fighters.

Prior to joining the band in 1997, he was previously the touring drummer for Alanis Morissette on her Jagged Little Pill tour, as well as the drummer for a short-lived experimental band called Sylvia. He has also founded a band named Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, in which he plays drums and sings.

Hawkins has said that his drumming has been influenced by Roger Taylor of Queen and Stewart Copeland of The Police. He has recently been voted "Best Rock Drummer" 2005 by UK drumming magazine, Rhythm.

1 Foo Fighters
2 Equipment
3 Trivia
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] 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.^[1] 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. He also occasionally provides backing vocals during the band's live performances and will often play guitar and provide lead vocals for several songs while Dave Grohl takes over on drums.

Hawkins provided lead vocals on the track "Cold Day in the Sun" on the acoustic side of In Your Honor.

[edit] Equipment

The following Drumkits have been used by Taylor Hawkins during his musical career:

Foo Fighters early 90's Tour Kit:
- Ludwig Drums and Zildjian Cymbals:
- Ludwig Drums - Custom Chrome
- 12x8" Tom
- 18x16" Floor Tom
- 20x16" Floor Tom
- 16" Remo Roto-Tom
- 18" Remo Roto-Tom
- 24x16" Bass Drum
- 14x6.5" 70's Stainless Steel Snare Drum
- 15" A New Beat Hi-Hats
- 18" Z Custom Medium Crash
- 19" A Custom Rock Crash
- 20" A Crash/Ride
- 24" A Medium Ride
- 22" A China Boy Low or 22" Z Custom Rock Crash
Taylor's Current Tour Kit:
- Tama Drums and Zildjian Cymbals:
- Tama Starclassic Performer Drums - Custom Chrome, Black or Custom White with Red Stripes
- 13x9" Tom
- 18x16" Floor Tom
- 20x14" Gong Bass Drum
- 14" Remo Roto-Tom
- 16" Remo Roto-Tom
- 24x18" Bass Drum
- 14x6.5" Brass Snare Drum
- 15" A New Beat Hi-Hats
- 20" A Medium Thin Crash
- 20" K Custom Dark Ride
- 21" A Sweet Ride
- 20" Oriental China Trash
- LP Low Pitch-Red Jam Block

Hawkins also uses DW, Tama or Yamaha Hardware, Remo drum skins, Shure drum microphones and Zildjian Taylor Hawkins Signature sticks.

[edit] Trivia

He is a fan of the band Queen, and its late lead singer, Freddie Mercury. Hawkins also played on a track called "Cyborg", from Queen guitarist Brian May's 1998 solo album, Another World.
Sang lead vocals on the Foo Fighters' songs "Cold Day In The Sun," the band's covers of Joe Walsh's "Life of Illusion," Pink Floyd's "Have a Cigar," and Cream's "I Feel Free".
After leaving the Orange County-based band Altered State, joined up as drummer for Sass Jordan.
Left Sass Jordan to act as drummer for Alanis Morissette.
Worked as a retail salesman/cashier for the Guitar Center located in Lake Forest, California.
Once dated Good Will Hunting actress Minnie Driver.
Appeared briefly in Alanis Morissette's video for "You Learn" during the pie fight scene.
He is a close friend of Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.
He can also play the guitar, and during concerts has been known to change places with Dave Grohl.
In the demo version of Alanis Morissette's song Unsent from the 1998 album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, a verse is dedicated to the friendship and rumored relationship between Hawkins and Morissette.
He also plays the piano.
Shares birthday with Michael Jordan, Billie Joe Armstrong (from Green Day) and Paris Hilton.