British guitarist analyses Taylor Hawkins, the foundation of Foo Fighters

Tonight we're taking a look at Foo Fighters live back in 2008 performing Learn to Fly following the sad news that Taylor Hawkins passed away on the 25th March.
TIME STAMPS -
0:00 Intro
0:48 Performance
2:09 Analysis Start
5:26 Rhythm Section Isolation
6:19 Dynamics
8:41 Groove Change Explanation
10:17 Performance
11:11 Foldback Set Up
13:07 Performance
15:08 Analysis Resumption

[cindypowers]

I've always had an affinity for the drums, and drummers. I love the Foo Fighters, and when I heard about Taylor's death, it felt like someone had ripped my heart out. He played like a complete maniac, and he had the greatest smile. My favorite songs are "Times Like These", and "Learn To Fly". Dave and Taylor had some sort of soul Thanks Fil for this tribute 💜 Rest in Peace Taylor 🥁💙

[teresafinoalchemy]

Brilliant! Thank you Fil. I can watch Taylor play drums all day long. He had such a huge charisma and was excellent vocally as well. I've recently learned that he was a brilliant songwriter and played piano, guitar and bass as well. A well-rounded high-calibre, talented musician.

Learn to fly with the angels, Taylor. 💜🙏

[drewpall]

Sadly Taylor Hawkins has pass away at age 50 even though he join Foo Fighters in 1997 he was a big part of band sound. Nice tribute to the late Taylor Hawkins Drum on in Peace Taylor.

[lynndow]

He was such a delight to see as well as hear! Such a wonderful analysis is really a touching tribute to another talented artist lost too soon. Thank you.

[tammydoolittle]

It's always heartbreaking to hear that someone has passed away. I wish Taylor's family and friends peace and comfort during this most difficult time in their lives. May he RIP. I enjoyed the analysis Fil! Thanks you!

[jenfox]

Thanks for this Fil! 🙏 I really hope they find a way to play again some day ❤🤘🎸🥁🎤 I saw Sass Jordan play at a summer music festival in Canada in the early 90's and I think Taylor Hawkins was her drummer back then? Maybe I did get a chance to see him in those early days. So sad he's gone RIP Taylor 🥁

[ddgitz]

Loved hearing Fil talk about drums/Taylor Hawkins! It's always a little hard for me to hear drums in a performance, but isolating them here really helped me hear what Hawkins was doing and his creativity.

[carlamurray]

Thank you so very much, it’s so appreciated, Fil!
Wonderful analysis, he sure did leave it all on the stage. It’s really sad that so many amazing artists’s lives are cut short due to addiction. From all the videos I’ve seen over the years of Taylor, he was always having a good time and smiling.
The one thing you would always see was him smiling even while playing.
They had such a great camaraderie, on and off stage. You have to feel bad for Dave, he’s lost two friends/band mates way too soon.
Taylor was so kind, had such a beautiful heart. His last photo before his death was that of him and a little girl that was outside his hotel playing drums because, she wanted to meet her idol. When he was informed, he went down to the street in front of the hotel to see her. Not very many artists would do that. And let’s talk about that audience, what a blast.
Thanks again Fil! ✌️

[dwaynewladyka]

As someone who likes drumming and percussion, I think that Taylor Hawkins really took drumming to the next level. He had a fun loving personality. Thanks for sharing this analysis video. May Taylor Hawkins rest in peace. Cheers, Fil! ✌️

[ptxaholic]

I got to see them around this time frame, it was one of the best concerts I've ever been to.

[dmcarp]

Liked hearing this analysis from your guitarist view. The use of the isolated drums revealed that non-stop beat and energy of T. Hawkins, FF that you referred to.

[atreb]

Thanks so much for your terrific analysis of Taylor's drumming.

[lauraallen]

Great observations, Fil! I've read that Dave learned drumming first through using big marching band sticks on his pillows because his family couldn't afford lessons for him. It's no surprise he developed such a hard-hammering type of playing style, nor that he chose a drummer in Taylor with a similar style.

I wanted to mention that consistently Dave is noted as being one of the nicest people in rock, or even in general. I had a friend some time back whose dad had a restaurant in FL that Dave frequented. His dad said Dave was the nicest most down-to-earth person ever.

It must have been devastating for the band to lose Taylor. :(

Have you ever analyzed any of Ringo's playing? He gets knocked a lot, but drummers like Dave Grohl, Neal Peart think/thought very highly of him!

Love your analyses Fil. You clearly love what you're doing and that makes it better for those watching too! <3

[beni]

I've seen TH perform with both Alanis Morissette and Foo Fighters, can confirm he's a top notch performer with great stage presence. You could tell he and Grohl especially had a great dynamic too -- I don't remember which song it was, but there was this split second where Grohl gave Hawkins a quick side glance with a big grin, and it was pretty obvious he'd just heard something great. I remember being disappointed that I didn't know more about drumming, because then I might have known what it was that put such a big grin on his face.

[loriematthews]

Rip to Taylor..💞
Thank you fil. I wanted to ask you if you have ever seen "Black Sabbath" performing "War Pigs" Live at Olympia theater in Paris France on Dec, 20th 1970. It IS one of the most amazing performances I have ever seen. My kind of music, for sure! Lol. Its unreal..and the drums? WOW. Bill ward on the drums, well, anyway, would love for you to look at this and give your analysis to it. I find myself back there again and again! And will say without a doubt, most amazing performance EVER! I don't know if you have ever given an analysis on it before, but if not, would love for you too! Thanks again fil!🌷

[kituwahband]

Really good analysis Fil, appreciate your insights. With that said, when you explain the different aspects, you really learn to appreciate how much work goes into creating just one song let alone a full album.

[brookehornback]

I didn't realize Dave was the whole band when he started Foo Fighter's.But that makes totally since.RIP Taylor Hawkins!

[nh]

After Kurt Cobain died, was happy Dave kept singing and had success with Foo Fighters. This was a good hit for him!

[marionorato]

I love that Fil can't help but smile at the awesome drum fills

[makeyourself]

Really great band. I don’t know how they will be able to carry on without Taylor… he was an exceptional drummer. RIP Taylor Hawkins