GOJIRA Frontman On TAYLOR HAWKINS: Another ‘Beautiful Soul’ Has Been ‘Sacrificed On The Altar Of Rock And Roll’

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GOJIRA frontman Joseph Duplantier has reflected on the passing of FOO FIGHTERS drummer Taylor Hawkins, whose death shook the music world late last month. Speaking to the Associated Press on the red carpet of the 2022 Grammy Awards on April 3 in Las Vegas, he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yeah, obviously, it affects everybody, the whole music community and all the fans. It's not the first time that a beautiful soul, a fragile soul is sacrificed on the altar of entertainment and rock and roll. And we are all about going out on the road and giving everything for that, but there's a price to pay. It's really, really, really hard on the mental and the soul and the families. We leave kids behind. It's hard on everybody. And I think that he's simply another victim of this thing. It's a bit more complicated than people can think. The life of a rock star is not always easy. It's a lot of nights on buses and being away from home for a long time. So, yes, it touched all of us." Hawkins was found dead on March 25 at the Four Seasons Casa Medina hotel in Bogota, Colombia while FOO FIGHTERS were on tour. An official cause of death for Hawkins hasn't yet been released. But on March 26, Colombia's attorney general's office released a preliminary toxicology report, saying that medical examiners found evidence of 10 types of substances in Hawkins's body, including opioids, benzodiazepines, marijuana and antidepressants. Hawkins joined FOO FIGHTERS in 1997. Prior to that, he played with the Orange County band SYLVIA and was also in the backing band for Sass Jordan. He also toured with Alanis Morissette as her drummer. Hawkins was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame last year as a member of the FOO FIGHTERS. Hawkins's most recent work with FOO FIGHTERS included last year's "Medicine At Midnight" album, a collection of BEE GEES covers and FOO FIGHTERS' horror film "Studio 666".