NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA: Nearly a year after Taylor Hawkins' sad death in Columbia, the Foo Fighters have finally disclosed that they have found a replacement drummer. Dave Grohl and company announced Josh Freese will now be handling percussion for the Foo Fighters during their livestream 'Foo Fighters: Preparing Music For Concerts' on Sunday, May 21.
The live stream included an eight-song set featuring brand-new songs from the upcoming eleventh album by the Foo Fighters, 'But Here We Are.' The 50-year-old American session drummer is replacing Taylor, who died on March 25 at the age of 50 when the group was on tour the previous year. While it wasn't specified who would be replacing him at the time, the Foo Fighters declared in December that they would still be continuing as a band, as per TMZ.
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Who is Josh Freese?
Freese has amassed a lengthy and impressive number of accomplishments over the course of his three-decade career, The 50-year-old drummer has been a part of the Vandals since 1989 and Devo since 1996. Along with these acts, he has shared the stage with the Offspring, Guns N' Roses, Danny Elfman, Weezer, Sting, Paramore, Nine Inch Nails, and 100 Gecs, The Guardian reports.
When will Josh Freese's first show begin?
The first leg of Freese's world tour, which will last until late 2023, will begin with his first performance with the Foo Fighters on May 24 in New Hampshire.
'Taylor’s drums need to be up there'
The band will perform live for the first time since Hawkins' two memorial concerts in September of last year, during which an all-star lineup of musicians, including Paul McCartney, Queen, and Mark Ronson, honored the late drummer. At those events, Freese personally took the stage with Foo Fighters and played the drums instead of Hawkins. "I was asked what drums I’d like to use," he posted on Instagram at the time. "Without hesitation I said, 'Taylor’s drums need to be up there and I want to play on his exact set-up.'" The Guardian reports.
'Foo Fighters just got even better'
The reactions of Foo Fighters fans are all over the internet, and many of them are hoping that Freese can match Hawkins' performance. A user took to Twitter and said, "Josh has a bit of push/swing thing going on. Hopefully he can play it straight up and down on the beat like Taylor did in time." Producer Giuseppe Mercadante posted a video of the band inviting Freese to join, and a user responded, "Proof in the pudding. The last minute and a half was exceptional." "Amazing way to introduce fans to a new drummer," noted a user. Another user claimed, "Nailed it. Great choice. Must have been an emotional decision. Now for that tour to get back on track!!!" A user mentioned, "YESSSSS! Foo Fighters just got even better with the addition of Josh Freese on drums Can't wait to see them rock out together."
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