The Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins dies aged 50

Taylor Hawkins, drummer of rock band The Foo Fighters has died, the band has announced.

The band said it was “devastated by the untimely loss” and asked for the privacy of his family to be respected.

The drummer, 50, starred in the world famous band alongside singer Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee.

“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” The Foo Fighters official account tweeted.

“His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.

“Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”

Hawkins joined The Foo Fighters in 1997 following the departure of the band’s previous drummer and has been a member ever since.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with them in 2021.

Following the release of their most recent album, Medicine at Midnight, the band filmed a spoof-horror film titled Studio 666, in which Hawkins starred alongside his bandmates.

Prior to joining The Foo Fighters he had played drums for Alanis Morissette.

The band were scheduled to perform at the Grammys on April 3 and were due to begin a tour of North America in May.