“Forever Loud. Forever Loved.” — A Monument to Immortality: Foo Fighters Honour Taylor Hawkins with a Heartfelt Statue Tribute
It was a day that transcended music — a day where silence spoke louder than any note, and memories echoed louder than amplifiers. On Sunday evening, thousands gathered at Griffith Park in Los Angeles for an emotional ceremony honouring the late Taylor Hawkins, the legendary drummer of the Foo Fighters, whose spirit, energy, and joy forever changed rock and roll.
The event, titled “Immortality: A Tribute to Taylor Hawkins,” marked the unveiling of a bronze statue immortalizing the beloved musician. Standing tall with drumsticks raised to the sky, the statue captured Hawkins’ infectious energy and trademark grin — the very essence that made him not just a drummer, but a heartbeat of the band and a beacon of light to fans worldwide.
The ceremony began with an intimate and tearful performance of “Times Like These” by Dave Grohl, Hawkins’ longtime friend, bandmate, and brother in arms. Grohl’s voice cracked with emotion as he sang, pausing midway through to say, “Taylor was more than a drummer. He was my rhythm, my laughter, my family. He made every day louder — and every note worth playing.”
As Grohl’s words faded into the cool evening air, the crowd responded with a wave of applause, chants of “Taylor! Taylor!” filling the park. It was a collective outpouring of love — a reminder that Hawkins’ impact stretched far beyond the stage.
Among those in attendance were Hawkins’ wife Alison, his three children, and an emotional assembly of music legends, including Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lars Ulrich of Metallica, Brian May of Queen, and Joan Jett, who all spoke about his boundless passion and the electric joy he carried into every room.
Alison Hawkins addressed the crowd with grace and strength, her voice trembling yet full of warmth. “Taylor loved people,” she said. “He believed in the magic of music, the kind that connects us, heals us, and reminds us we’re not alone. This statue isn’t just for him — it’s for everyone who ever found joy in his laughter, his drumming, and his heart.”
Behind her, the towering figure of Taylor gleamed under the sunset, surrounded by floral arrangements, drumsticks left by fans, and a single guitar pick engraved with the words: “Play Loud — Love Louder.”
Following the speeches, the Foo Fighters reunited on stage for a mini set that turned grief into celebration. They performed “My Hero,” “Learn to Fly,” “Best of You,” and “Everlong,” with Grohl dedicating each song to the man who “turned rhythm into emotion.” During “My Hero,” the massive screen behind them played clips of Hawkins in action — smiling, headbanging, and drumming with uncontainable joy. Many fans wept, yet smiled through their tears.
The statue unveiling came at the crescendo of the night. As Grohl and Hawkins’ son Shane pulled the black cloth away, gasps rippled through the crowd. The monument, standing over nine feet tall, depicted Taylor mid-performance — hair flowing, mouth open in a scream of joy, every detail sculpted with precision. Behind him, an engraving read:
“Forever Loud. Forever Loved.”
“The Beat Goes On.”
The Foo Fighters frontman stepped forward and whispered, “Now you’ll always be on stage with us.”
The moment was nothing short of transcendent. Fans held lighters, phones, and candles high in the air, their flickering lights resembling stars — each one a tribute to the eternal spark Taylor Hawkins left behind.
The legacy of Taylor Hawkins continues to inspire generations of musicians and dreamers. Known for his unmatched drumming on tracks like “All My Life,” “The Pretender,” and “Walk,” he also embodied the rare spirit of rock’s golden age — wild yet humble, rebellious yet kind. Whether performing before thousands or jamming with friends, Hawkins radiated gratitude and fun, reminding everyone why music matters.
Even in his absence, the Foo Fighters have carried that energy forward. Grohl once said, “When I hear the drums, I still hear Taylor.” And now, with this statue standing proudly in his hometown, fans too can feel that eternal rhythm.
As night fell over Los Angeles, the ceremony concluded with an all-star jam session featuring members of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Queens of the Stone Age — all playing “Times Like These” together. It wasn’t just a performance; it was communion — a promise that the music would never die.
Taylor Hawkins’ laughter, rhythm, and unfiltered love for life remain carved not just in bronze, but in the soul of rock itself.
“Forever Loud. Forever Loved.”
A fitting epitaph for a man who made t
he world move — one beat at a time.
