Dave Clarke

Hothouse Flowers

There’s a great drummer’s fraternity, and we all feel connected even if we don’t know each other. So it’s always a shock when someone goes, especially when it’s so unexpected. I don’t think anyone saw this happening with Taylor. Seeing the excitement, enjoyment and exuberance of his playing you’d have to feel connected to him in some way. I guess you never really know what’s going on in people’s lives or if they’re in a dark place.

Taylor was an ambassador. He influenced a whole generation of young drummers who have come up learning that style. He was a self-taught drummer, but he had this excellent technique. If you listen, there’s a technique in everything, even the simplest of playing - it’s fantastic. he was such a powerful type of player. But he was so humble about his playing. He never saw himself as one of the greats.

One time we were doing a festival, and we were playing while they were headlining. We came off, and you could hear the thunderous volume from the main-stage. Taylor was always a big fan for real drums being played. There’s no machines with Foo Fighters: it’s all real. That’s their legacy.

If you’re a fan, you’re going to feel a great sense of loss, like a brother or sister or family member has died, because you’re so connected with the person. You’re invested. You never want to see a person go that way.

Read the full Taylor Hawkins tribute in our current issue.