It’d be impossible to listen to any new Foo Fighters song without bringing to it the knowledge that Taylor Hawkins has passed.
Foo Fighters’ band leader Dave Grohl will know this only too well. So regardless of whether ‘Rescued’ was written 5 years or 5 months ago, we’re only able see it through tear soaked eyes.
The Foo’s new album ‘But Here We Are’ has been described by the band as “The sound of brothers finding refuge in the music that brought them together in the first place 28 years ago. A process that was as therapeutic as it was about a continuation of life”.
Taylor was the charismatic drummer with a huge personality, he was also Dave’s best friend, a brother. Guys on the drum stool don’t always cut through but this one did. ‘Much loved’ would be an understatement. The man was a legend. A relative of mine had seen Taylor walking around LA and London. Both times he said he’d never seen anyone look more like a rock star. My best friend also named his son after Taylor. Such was his impact on people’s lives – even those he never met.
As soon as the tragic news broke immediate thoughts, entangled with shock, were with Taylor’s family and Dave. A passing they had to share with the rest of the world. It was a true case of the rock community coming together. This isn’t the first time Dave has lost a bandmate in such tragic circumstances. Kurt Cobain’s death must have come crashing brutally back. This time however he was in control of the aftershocks. Dave was able to celebrate Taylor’s life in the form of two Transatlantic tribute concerts. One in London and one in LA.
Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
These were the biggest concerts since 1992’s Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. As a kid I watched the tribute to Freddie in awe and for Taylor I was fortunate enough to attend Wembley Stadium. It was for me a once in a lifetime celebration. Consisting of Taylor’s favourite songs and artists, friends and fans came together in a unique event that would have been Taylor’s ultimate dream gig, the twisted irony being that only his passing could have made it possible.
The Pretenders, Supergrass, James Gang, Josh Homme, Yes, Brian Johnson, Lars Ulrich and more, the legends and supestars came out for Taylor. On the day however there was one band other than the Foos that the crowd wanted to see. All around me people were screaming for Queen. This continued until finally Roger Taylor and Brian May hit the stage. At that moment, 30 years later, it felt like everything had come full circle at almost the same spot. When Brian May compared the day to the tribute held for “a young man named Freddie Mercury”, a sea of lights were held were aloft as Brian duetted ‘Love of My Life’ with the crowd. For me personally, this was my greatest moment in live music history.
Roger was interviewed recently by BBC Radio 2, where he spoke about Taylor and how he used to communicate with him every day. A tear came to my eye when Roger admitted he still can’t take Taylor’s number out of his phone.
The tribute to Taylor climaxed in an emotional Foos set, full of passion, rage, hurt, love and everything in between. It was also a night of amazing drummers; It was a honour to see Dave back behind the kit and Roger Taylor’s son Rufus was an eerie reminder of his beloved godfather, but none shone more than Taylor’s son Shane.
Rescued
And now here we are, 13 months later and the Foo Fighters are back. And with them they bring all these emotions, still swirling around as we dive heart first into the first Foo Fighters song since Taylor’s death. Immediately the opening lines are a reminder of the fragility of life and our short time on this planet.
“Is this happening now?” Dave asks in disbelief, possibly using the power of music to speak to the departed. The lyrics are poetic and there’s an extra layer of sadness that you don’t quite catch in the adrenaline rush of this signature Foo Fighters track. ‘Rescued‘ also feels like there’s an Icarus reference, with yet another rock legend gone too young and too soon.
Dave sings about the certainty that is death. No matter who we are, rich, powerful, powerless or poor, we are faced with the same prospect of death and of grief. We’re also reminded that each life is of equal value but at its core the song is the plea to be saved from pain.
‘Rescued’ sounds and feels like a classic Foo Fighters’ track, one that grows with every listen. It has punch and it has heart and Dave can’t help but write delicious melodies and captivating hooks. Even in their grief the Foos have recorded an uplifting song. The lyrics when juxtaposed with the all out rock are almost at odds with itself. And therein lies its true genius; like the tribute concerts in the summer of ‘22, in ‘Rescued‘ we and the Foo Fighters both mourn the death and celebrate the life of one Oliver Taylor Hawkins.
‘But Here We Are’ is released June 2nd 2023
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