Sir Elton John and comedian Dave Chappelle are among those who have paid tribute to Taylor Hawkins, telling fans at Wembley Stadium - “don’t ever forget him”.
Sir Elton was speaking in a pre-recorded message played at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert in London today (September 3), held in memory of the Foo Fighters drummer, who died in March.
The 50-year-old passed away in March in Bogota Columbia, where he was set to perform with the band.
READ MORE: Watch Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium live
Elton John pays tribute to Taylor Hawkins
Sir Elton said: "I'm so sorry I can’t be with you tonight because my schedule conflicts with the date of the concert.
"I want to pay tribute to Taylor Hawkins because he was a great musician. But more than that he was a great father and a great husband and a great guy to hang out with."
He added: "He loved music. He loved playing. He loved the Foo Fighters. Tonight we are honouring his memory.
"So, make a noise because he would love that. The Foo Fighters are one of the bands that always give 150%, they never give less than that and nor did Taylor. He was an incredible drummer.
"He played on my last album which I was so thrilled about and honoured. So, tonight is about remembering him, honouring him, and don’t ever forget him."
Sir Elton’s message was followed by a rendition of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road performed by Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme.
The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium with Foo Fighters and many special guests will be emotional, unforgettable and sound sensational to celebrate the life and legacy of a legend.#TaylorHawkins #TaylorHawkinsTribute #TaylorHawkinsTributeConcert #FooFighters pic.twitter.com/YkmXw9tj0w
— All On The Board (@allontheboard) September 3, 2022
Dave Chappelle pays tribute to Taylor Hawkins
Chappelle remembered the 50-year-old with a touching anecdote from the first time he met the drummer’s son.
The 49-year-old American stand-up comedian was speaking on stage at Wembley.
Speaking about an event at Madison Square Garden in New York, Chappelle said: "I went backstage and hung out with the Foo Fighters, and I met a kid who must have been 12 or 13 years old.
"And I asked him, because he had skate shoes on, if he skated, and he said 'I don’t skateboard because I don’t want to hurt my arms'.
"I said, what the f*** kind of answer is this? A simple yes or no would have sufficed.
"The kid said 'I want to be a drummer, like my father'.
"In that room, in Madison Square Garden, even though I’d met the Foo Fighters many nights, I felt like I met [Hawkins] for the first time.
"I’d seen Taylor be a rock star many nights, but it was my first time seeing him be a dad, and what a cool f****** dad."
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