Taylor Hawkins Nearly Quit Foo Fighters After Recording 1st Album — Why?

Taylor Hawkins scored the chance to become a member of Foo Fighters after William Goldsmith's departure, but the drummer almost did not last long in the band.

Foo Fighters went through a number of lineup changes before its new touring drummer, Josh Freese, joined them on board. It previously had Sunny Day Real Estate's William Goldsmith, who was eventually replaced by Hawkins.

Despite its success, even when it was still a one-person band, Hawkins admitted before his death that he almost left Foo Fighters.

Why Taylor Hawkins Thought of Leaving Foo Fighters Revealed

Less than a year before his death, the late drummer sat for an interview on "The Howard Stern Show" and shared how intimidating he had been feeling to become the drummer of one of the world's best drummers. For what it's worth, Dave Grohl first worked with Nirvana before launching Foo Fighters.

Although Hawkins and Grohl grew closer in the years thereafter, they worked together in the band, the late drummer admitted to feeling that way, although his bandmate never boasted about being the best.

"When I joined the band, I was super intimidated because I met Axl Rose, the first time he said, 'What's it like being the drummer for the greatest drummer of the '90s?'" he said. "I'm like, 'Ah, hard.'"

Aside from feeling intimidated, Hawkins also told Rolling Stone in 2021 that the recording studio where they made his first material with Foo Fighters almost caused him to leave the band. He was referring to "Nothing Left to Lose," which he played half the drums for since Goldsmith had already recorded part of that second record.

Why Taylor Hawkins Stayed

Despite his skills, Hawkins reportedly suffered a red-light fever due to anxiousness that he might not be able to go through it. He then saw Producer Adam Kasper, who seemingly wanted to tell Grohl to play the instrument instead.

At one point, he braved himself and told the lead vocalist he did not think he could do the gig while battling his inner demons. Instead of letting him go, Grohl reassured him and held his hand through the recording.

With the story, Hawkins proudly revealed that Foo Fighters reached the peak with him because Grohl helped him to survive with the band, saying that his bandmate only did not want him as a member but also as a friend, family member, and younger brother.

Tags

Taylor Hawkins, Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl