Colombian police believe the death of FOO FIGHTERS drummer Taylor Hawkins could be related to drugs.

The 50-year-old musician was found dead in a hotel room at the Casa Medina in Bogota on Friday (March 25).

A short time later, the Metropolitan Police Of Bogota released a statement published by several news outlets in Colombia, including Bogota’s El Tiempo, in which they said: “According to those close to him, the death could be related to the consumption of narcotic substances.” But they cautioned: “The cause of death has yet to be established.”

Earlier in the day, Hawkins had reportedly complained of chest pains to hotel staff.

Fans, journalists and videographers began to gather outside Casa Medina after Hawkins’s death was announced. Ambulances and police cars, including those of judicial police and forensic investigators, could be seen stationed outside of the hotel, which is located in the middle of the financial and commercial centers of Bogota in one of the most historic and traditional buildings of the city. A couple of hours later, Hawkins’s body was finally brought out of the hotel, placed into a coroner’s van and driven away.

Colombian music and entertainment journalist Alejandro Marin tweeted as news of the drummer’s death emerged: “Don’t begin to blame the country because Taylor died in Colombia if he died of an overdose. Don’t be so stupid.”

The FOO FIGHTERS were scheduled to perform Friday at the Picnic Stereo festival in Bogota but their performance was canceled.

The band played Lollapalooza Chile on March 18 and Lollapalooza Argentina on March 20. They are scheduled to headline Lollapalooza Brasil on Sunday (March 27).

Hawkins spent two weeks in a coma in 2001 after overdosing in London. He later told Kerrang! magazine: “Everyone has their own path and I took it too far. I was partying in London one night, and I mistakenly did something and it changed everything. I believed the bullshit myth of live hard and fast, die young.

“I’m not here to preach about not doing drugs, because I loved doing drugs, but I just got out of control for a while and it almost got me. I was heading down a road that was going to lead to even worse paths.

“Whether someone’s sober, or they like a glass of wine with dinner, or they want a bottle of Jägermeister before they go onstage, or they like to smoke doobies all day long, everyone has their own path, and I took it too far,” he added. I’m glad it got knocked on the head at that point. I wouldn’t take anything away that I’ve done or been through either, because it’s all part of the trip and the journey. I’m trying to be as candid as I can be. I go mountain biking now.”

He said in 2018: “I was partying a lot. I wasn’t a junkie per se, but I was partying. There was a year where the partying just got a little too heavy.

“Thank God on some level this guy gave me the wrong line with the wrong thing one night and I woke up going, ‘What the fuck happened?’ That was a real changing point for me.”

In a separate interview with Beats 1, he said: “There’s no happy ending with hard drugs,” but declined to elaborate on his sobriety. “I don’t really discuss how I live my life in that regard,” he said. “I have my system that works for me.”

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Hawkins joined FOO FIGHTERS in 1997. Prior to that, he played with the Orange County band SYLVIA and was also in the backing band for Sass Jordan. He also toured with Alanis Morissette as her drummer.

Hawkins was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame last year as a member of the FOO FIGHTERS.

Hawkins’s most recent work with FOO FIGHTERS included last year’s “Medicine At Midnight” album, a collection of BEE GEES covers and FOO FIGHTERS’ horror film “Studio 666”.

Hawkins’s solo project TAYLOR HAWKINS AND THE COATTAIL RIDERS released its first album in 2006, and a follow-up effort, “Get The Money”, in 2019. Other side projects included THE BIRDS OF SATAN and the classic rock cover band CHEVY METAL. More recently, he formed the supergroup NHC with JANE’S ADDICTION members Dave Navarro and Chris Chaney.

Hawkins is survived by his wife Alison, whom he married in 2005, and their three children: Oliver Shane, Annabelle and Everleigh.

??#COLOMBIA ?#URGENTE | Según las primeras informaciones, uno de los integrantes de Foo Fighters encontró si vida al baterista Taylor Hawkins en el hotel Casa Medina en Bogotá.
La banda iba a presentarse hoy pasada las 7:30 p.m. en el Festival Estéreo Picnic. #RochexRB27 pic.twitter.com/poHGAJDHj7

— Rochex R. Robinson Bonilla (@RochexRB27) March 26, 2022

#ÚLTIMAHORA
Falleció Taylor Hawkins

La cadena RCN de Colombia ofrece un reporte de lo que ocurre en el Hotel Casa Medina, Four Seasons.

Unidades de criminalistica están presentes en el lugar para adelantar la investigación de rigor. Fans prenden velas en honor de #TaylorHawkins pic.twitter.com/OddHXbd2vF

— Diario Panamá (@DiarioPanama) March 26, 2022

#VicioNoticias ??? Llevan a Medicina Legal el cuerpo sin vida de Taylor Hawkins, baterista de la banda de rock Foo Fighters. Falleció en el hotel Casa Medina, en Bogotá. ???☹️? pic.twitter.com/jGv3QZnNnm
— Revista Vicio (@revista_vicio) March 26, 2022

#ÚltimoMomento | Este es el momento en que retiran el cuerpo del baterista de Foo Fighters, Taylor Hawkins, en el hotel Casa Medina, en Bogotá, Colombia. Hasta el momento se desconocen las causas del fallecimiento. ?? pic.twitter.com/1CYzTWTf4o
— En Foco Noticias (@EnFocoNoticias1) March 26, 2022

Este es el momento en que retiran el cuerpo del baterista de Foo Fighters, Taylor Hawkins, en el hotel Casa Medina. El músico falleció este viernes en Bogotá. pic.twitter.com/2kD9PcyfLf
— Ricky Ricón (@Ricardo7ok) March 26, 2022

#AFP , Member’s of the Technical Investigation Team transport Foo Fighters’ drummer Taylor Hawkins body from a hotel in Bogota on March 26, 2022. Drummer Taylor Hawkins of the multi-Grammy award-winning rock group Foo Fighters has died, his bandmates said in a statement Friday. pic.twitter.com/nyusonipvw
— Juan Barreto IG@juanbarreto1974 (@jbarreto1974) March 26, 2022

La gente a esta hora empieza a aglomerar a los alrededores del Four Seasons hotel Casa Medina en Bogotá, tras conocer la muerte del baterista del Foo Fighters, Taylor Hawkins, de 50 años pic.twitter.com/vBLpMtNIvi
— Veeduría Ciudadana ?? (@Veedorciudad21) March 26, 2022

Algunos fanáticos de Foo Fighters (@foofighters) comienzan a llegar al hotel Casa Medina para encender velas como homenaje a Taylor Hawkins, baterista de la banda que falleció este viernes en Bogotá → https://t.co/KMOWLWiaXh pic.twitter.com/RGfpd7eR3k
— W Radio Colombia (@WRadioColombia) March 26, 2022

#Ahora l Así el panorama en el hotel Casa Medina en Bogotá, donde se hospeda la banda Foo Fighters. Esta noche fue confirmada la muerte de Taylor Hawkins.
Fotos @elespectador pic.twitter.com/xQIlujW9LG

— Diario El Mundo (@ElMundoSV) March 26, 2022

Fans lighting candles and leaving flowers outside the hotel where Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins passed away last night in Bogotá, Colombia. Cause of death is still unknown.
Someone has written “Gracias” on the ground pic.twitter.com/1DfFnA1vke

— Megan Janetsky (@meganjanetsky) March 26, 2022

Forensic technicians work outside the Casa Medina hotel, where Taylor Hawkins, drummer of the band Foo Fighters, was staying and died hours before his presentation at the Estereo PicnicFestival,in Bogota,Colombia, March 26, 2022. REUTERS/Mariano Vimos #TaylorHawkins #FooFighters pic.twitter.com/hez5uGRHEW
— Mariano J. Vimos Maciá (@marianojosevimo) March 26, 2022

Mi experiencia en el hotel Four Seasons Casa Medina, esperando para intentar ver a los @foofighters.
Aún me parece increíble.

R.I.P. Taylor Hawkins ??️? pic.twitter.com/45Zae2VzqI

— Carlos Paz [SupraHumano] (@SupraHumanoBand) March 26, 2022

#ÚltimoMomento| Fanáticos de Foo Fighters comienzan a llegar al hotel Casa Medina, en Bogota, colombia, para encender velas como homenaje a Taylor Hawkins. Todavía se desconoce la causa de su fallecimiento. ?? pic.twitter.com/lADkwWpW2D
— En Foco Noticias (@EnFocoNoticias1) March 26, 2022

A esta hora fanáticos de Foo Fighters despiden al baterista Taylor Hawkins a las afueras del hotel Casa Medina, en el norte de Bogotá, donde el músico falleció. #VocesySonidos pic.twitter.com/xwt3JXfZNR
— BluRadio Colombia (@BluRadioCo) March 26, 2022

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With the passing of Pat Martino (born Pat Azzara) on November 1, 2021, the jazz guitar world truly lost a giant. Martino has not only influenced legions of guitarists over a span approaching seven decades, but his prowess on the instrument is highly regarded, and maybe even a little feared, by his contemporaries. It’s awe inspiring to consider what Martino contributed to the music world and how many lives he impacted as a performer, composer, mentor, and educator.A quick online search will uncover an overwhelming amount of information about Martino’s amazing bebop lines, concepts such as the minor conversion technique, his “The Nature of Guitar” writings, and transcriptions of his solos. I decided to take a slightly different view for this lesson. Throughout his career, Pat used a wealth of exciting repetitive motives that was as much a part of his signature sound as other more melodic and harmonic devices. These motives intensified the drama in many of his solos, kept audiences on the edge of their seats (check out the cheering at the 3:04 mark after one such example during his “Oleo” solo on Live at Yoshi’s), and the repetitive and rhythmic nature of these ideas was the perfect complement to his monstrous eighth-note lines.Oleo (Live From Yoshi’s, Oakland, U.S.A./2001)When studying the masters, I don’t like to just learn licks. I find great importance in examining the theory and mechanics behind each idea to understand the language and assimilate the concept. The first idea (Ex. 1) can be found in many of Martino’s solos (check out “Mr. P.C.” on Pat Martino Trio Young Guns (1968/1969), but I found it when transcribing his other-worldly “Just Friends” solo on El Hombre (1967). The C# is optional as Pat sometimes plays this note as part of the idea and sometimes it is omitted.Ex. 1Ex. 1 can be viewed as an Fmaj7(#5) arpeggio built on the root, but we could also consider it as a DmMaj9 arpeggio built on the b3, a Bmin9(b5) arpeggio built on the b5 and also a G13(#11) arpeggio built on the b7. If we dig deeper we discover that all of these arpeggios/chords are based out of the D melodic minor scale (D–E–F–G–A–B–C#). In fact, Ex. 1, played over G13(#11), comes from the 4th mode of D melodic minor. This mode is also referred to as G Lydian dominant or G Mixolydian #4 (Ex. 2).Ex. 2The motive works beautifully over G13(#11) as it outlines the upper extensions: 13, #11, 9, and b7. Knowing that this idea comes from D melodic minor, we can experiment with superimposing the idea of other harmony from this scale. It can be used over a variety of chords like DmMaj7, C#7 alt., Bm9(b5), and Fmaj7#5. If we take this idea one step further, we can apply it to the most prominent progression in jazz, the IIm-V7-I. Ex. 3 show this idea over a slightly modified progression in C major. Here we are starting each phrase on a specific chord tone or extension. For the II chord, start on the 9, the V7 chord start on the #9 (or b3) and for the I chord start on the 7.Ex. 3With a few slight position shifts, we can use that same phrase over a II-V-I in C minor (Ex. 4). Similar to the above example, we start on the 11 of the II chord, the #9 of the V chord, and the 9 of the I chord.Ex. 4We can also practice this idea over a 12-bar blues. Ex. 5 shows one possibility when superimposing this idea over a Bb jazz-blues progression.Ex. 5Martino also uses a variation of this idea to create a 3-over-4 rhythmic pattern (Ex. 6). Here, we are taking a six-note pattern and playing it over an eighth-note line. The effect builds tension before repeating every three measures.Ex. 6That’s a lot of information to digest, but the time spent will be worth the effort as it is a great motive that you can incorporate into your playing rather quickly.The next motive (Ex. 7) is based on an Em7 arpeggio (E–G–B–D) and is played during the “Strings” solo on his record, Strings (1967).Ex. 7Pat Martino – Strings!I previously mentioned the rhythmic nature of Martino’s repetitive ideas. This motive illuminates his penchant for ideas that create a 3-over-4 feel. Coupled with repetition, this concept can generate loads of rhythmic intensity. As you will see, he employs this device often. Dig the super-hip rotation between Em7 and EmMaj7 arpeggios, marked by the alternating D and D# top pitches. He plays this idea over A7, but it creates a toggling effect between A7 and A7(#11) which is more harmonically interesting. Bonus: This idea can also be played over Em7.Ex. 8 is a variation that comes from the “Sunny” solo on Live! (1972). The Am7 arpeggio works so well over this entire progression. This example is somewhat unique as these repetitive ideas generally don’t include space. The idea incorporates an eighth-note rest to create the 3-over-4 sound once again. The phrasing, which includes a pull-off at the top of the arpeggio, demonstrates how articulation can also generate interest.Sunny (Live / New York, NY / 1972)Ex. 8Although the Gm7 arpeggio doesn’t necessarily “fit” chords such as Am7 and D7b9, the strength of the repetition makes it work. This is similar to the concept of a minor blues scale working over the entire 12-bar blues progression. The hammer-on articulation at the bottom of the arpeggio as well as the short, accented top not really makes this idea pop.Ex. 9Ex. 10 is another uber-hip idea taken from the “Strings” solo. This is a six-note repeating motive with the 3-over-4 rhythmic grouping. The b3 and b5 “blue notes” contribute heavily to the sound, and this motive works wonderfully over the A7 chord. I’m not sure about Pat’s picking motion, so I supplied what I feel is comfortable. The slide going from the C to C# creates a slippery feel.Ex. 10Ex. 11 (again from “Strings”) exemplifies one of the most effective repetitive patterns in his playing. It consists of a 3-note pattern based on the minor 3rd interval. I love the way Pat toggles between picking each note and hammering-on the bottom two notes. The top pitch (C) is the #9 of A7, exuding a bluesy flavor.Ex. 11In Ex. 12 Martino plays the identical pattern during “Strings” with the root (A) as the top pitch. Ex. 12Ex. 13 occurs during the “Just Friends” solo, and rather than 16th-notes, he employs triplets over a IIm7–V7–IIIm7–VI7 progression in the key of F. Ex. 13There’s a very similar pattern during the “Oleo” solo on Live at Yoshi’s (2001). Ex. 14 is based on the interval of a minor sixth giving it a more vertical spread. The previous examples repeated every three beats, but this one repeats every three measures. This is slick, as Martino is outlining the upper extensions—the 13 (A) and 11 (F)—to give some harmonic color. You could easily adjust to use the 5 (C) and b3 (Eb), which he actually shifts to during the solo.Ex. 14Martino would often use open strings against moving fretted notes. It’s kind of funny. I first learned this idea as a teenager from Iron Maiden’s “Wasted Years” and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.” Martino was doing this in the 1960s, so I’m confident his influence crossed genres!Ex. 15 comes from his “Mac Tough” solo on Live at Yoshi’s. Again a three-note pattern is utilized to create rhythmic interest.Ex. 15The final motive (Ex. 16) is what I describe as a Chromatic Melodic Connector. This idea has no harmonic implications, meaning it works in any harmonic situation, and is literally just a way to get from point A to point B. This specific example is from the song “Lazy Bird” on East! (1968) and it consists of three notes with the intervallic structure of two whole steps. Notice the accents on every third note. This reinforces the 3-over-4 motive and creates rhythmic intensity. The ascending and descending nature of the idea also builds excitement.Pat Martino – Lazy BirdEx. 16There are many more examples not discussed in this article, however, I hope this sheds some inspiring light on the more rhythmic and motivic side of Pat Martino’s playing.

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Paul Stanley (KISS), Ozzy Osbourne, Tom Morello and Geezer Butler (BLACK SABBATH) are among the musicians who have reacted on social media to the passing of FOO FIGHTERS drummer Taylor Hawkins.

Hawkins died on Friday (March 25) at the age of 50. The band confirmed his passing in a statement.

“The FOO FIGHTERS family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” read the message. “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.”

FOO FIGHTERS were on tour in South America at the time of Hawkins’s death and were preparing to perform in Bogota, Colombia on Friday. That show has since been canceled.

Taylor’s cause of death has not been revealed.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Hawkins joined FOO FIGHTERS in 1997. Prior to that, he played with the Orange County band SYLVIA and was also in the backing band for Sass Jordan. He also toured with Alanis Morissette as her drummer.

Hawkins was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame last year as a member of the FOO FIGHTERS.

Hawkins’s most recent work with FOO FIGHTERS included last year’s “Medicine At Midnight” album, a collection of BEE GEES covers and FOO FIGHTERS’ horror film “Studio 666”.

Hawkins’s solo project TAYLOR HAWKINS AND THE COATTAIL RIDERS released its first album in 2006, and a follow-up effort, “Get The Money”, in 2019. Other side projects included THE BIRDS OF SATAN and the classic rock cover band CHEVY METAL. More recently, he formed the supergroup NHC with JANE’S ADDICTION members Dave Navarro and Chris Chaney.

Hawkins is survived by his wife Alison, whom he married in 2005, and their three children: Oliver Shane, Annabelle and Everleigh.

Speechless and Gutted. Taylor was a great guy, a dad and a husband. My heart goes out to them, Dave and the band. What awful news. https://t.co/uQdl04etlp
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) March 26, 2022

Tragic news. RIP Taylor Hawkins. God bless his family, band mates, and friends. pic.twitter.com/ibXsHD0UG1
— Peter Criss (@PeterCriss) March 26, 2022

Shocked and saddened to hear @taylorhawkins has passed away today.! ?. Our prayers and condolences go out to the Hawkins family, ⁦@foofighters⁩ friends and fans. Sad. https://t.co/Mgu2K4SJyL
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) March 26, 2022

Forever missed. pic.twitter.com/PkzEAKvryN
— Guns N’ Roses (@gunsnroses) March 26, 2022

. @TaylorHawkins was truly a great person and an amazing musician. My heart, my love and my condolences go out to his wife, his children, his family, his band and his fans. See you on the other side – Ozzy
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) March 26, 2022

Shocked & saddened to learn of the passing of @taylorhawkins My condolences to his family & the @foofighters family. RIP
— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) March 26, 2022

In utter disbelief at the news of Taylor Hawkins. Our deepest condolences to his family, his bandmates, his team, his friends and everyone that was ever touched by the music he created with @foofighters @Alanis and so many others. This is so incredibly sad. pic.twitter.com/2AUeqpaN94
— Nickelback (@Nickelback) March 26, 2022

I’ve seen a lot of live bands in my time and I can honestly say that I have never seen a drummer and guitar player interact in a more jovial, genuine, and entertaining way than how @taylorhawkins and #DaveGrohl did.
One of the best in history. Devastated. #RIPTaylorHawkins

— David Draiman (@davidmdraiman) March 26, 2022

God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend. pic.twitter.com/AkiRLF2L3e
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) March 26, 2022

Crushing news ?
Never met but admired greatly, his kindness & earnestness was contagious even from afar & such a talent – few could drum for #DaveGrohl (who has now suffered two losses of key members of historic bands). And this?
RIP #TaylorHawkins ??https://t.co/1S2IrK8XYa https://t.co/ecmA6DQrz6 pic.twitter.com/En8fTPAeL9

— Alex Skolnick ?? (@AlexSkolnick) March 26, 2022

Omg…so bummed about the passing of Taylor Hawkins. Was the nicest guy when I met him, and he was such an influential drummer. My heart goes out to his family, the Foo Fighters, and everyone affected by the loss of a legend. ?
— CC (@christiancoma) March 26, 2022

no words ?
— JOELMADDEN (@JoelMadden) March 26, 2022

I can’t claim to have known him well, but we always hugged when we ran into each other. He was such a sweet & funny guy. I am gutted. Such a loss! My thoughts & heartfelt sorrow go out to his family & friends. https://t.co/rTnBAe8HuZ
— Gnudz (@TheGnudz) March 26, 2022

If you want to know Taylor Hawkins a bit better, I highly recommend watching the Foo Fighters doc, Back and Forth & the Alanis Morrisette doc, Jagged. What a beautiful guy.
— Doc Coyle (@DocCoyle) March 26, 2022

In absolute shock & disbelief over the the passing of Taylor Hawkins. I’ve always had so much admiration for him. Amazing drummer & a gem of a guy who was always fun to be around. I’m absolutely gutted…my deepest condolences to his bandmates & family ?? #RIPTaylorHawkins pic.twitter.com/a3X0k2AqYW
— Mike Portnoy ? (@MikePortnoy) March 26, 2022

Taylor Hawkins 1972-2022.
Our deepest sympathies to Taylor’s family, his fans, and of course his band. pic.twitter.com/qlEaQK0uui

— The Smashing Pumpkins (@SmashingPumpkin) March 26, 2022

Saw this online and was praying it was a rumor! My heart goes out to Taylors friends and family. #RIP https://t.co/tK00YZPyfN
— ΛSHBΛ (@DjASHBA) March 26, 2022

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