Fifth Avenue Forum

New Hu.

Rolling Stone ran an article interviewing 20 or so of Taylor Hawkins' friends, including Matt Cameron, Chad Smith, and some other producers and musicians. Basically, the overview was that Hawkins was tired of the Foos grinding tour schedule and had spoken to Dave and management about toning it down some. Hawkins was worried about the 3 hours of drumming a night as he was going into his 50s, much like his idol Neil Peart. The Foos were among the first to get back on the road, and were playing 70-80 shows a year, which is far more than other bands had been doing the last few years, even post-pandemic.

The band and family wouldn't speak to the reporters or denied that Hawkins wanted to slow down the touring altogether.

Matt Cameron then walked back his comments stating that they were taken out of context and he shouldn't have even done the interview with Rolling Stone, as he thought it was just an extended eulogy of his friend.

No cause of death has been issued, however. Foos touring personnel and close friends denied he was doing drugs again, and one employee on tour in South America said there were no drugs in the room. Hawkins had an enlarged heart, diagnosed previously, and was exercising and cutting back on cigarettes etc.

Very sad all the way around. Lots of speculation that the Foos are finished, as Taylor's loss is too big to overcome. That would really suck.

I'm as big a FF fan as there is, and I think they're done......... I kinda hope they're done. This is the second time DG has lost a close friend and bandmate, and I don't know why he'd want to continue. I'm sure he'll keep making music, because that's what he does. But FF should pack it in imo. I'm thankful for the 26 years of memories, and for the part they've played in my life.

Chad Smith has similarly finger wagged Rolling Stone. I'm not sure what to say about the FF schedule; they all have families and kids, and have seriously pared back their grind since releasing "Wasting Light". Iirc after the show where Hawk died, they had like 1 or 2 more shows in South America then they were gonna have about a month off; then between around May and August I think they only had like 20 or so shows scheduled, then another month off, never mind the 18 months the entire world just had off. Hawk was by far the most active guy outside of FF (like, musically and athletically); I could see Pat calling it quits for grind reasons - he did it once before 20 years ago - but I just don't know what to make of people saying Hawk was pooped out.

Obviously not in the guy's head. But it sounded odd to me when I read the stories, and it is not exactly less odd for Cameron and Smith retracting their comments.

This band should have been caught up in the Nirvana wave:

lol. I literally listen to Billy every single day. I hear at least one song of his, live, recorded at least once.

I'm just getting around to the Billy Nashville run at the ryman. Man, that 2nd set gets trippy as hell with Weir. I completely got lost mowing and it looks like a 5 year old cut the grass

lol

Not a fan of his music but Post Malone always comes off as such a cool down to earth dude.

Is that Neil and Crazy Horse? I think? That looks like Ralph Molina in the cap right center.

Yes! Neil and Crazy Horse with one-time touring partners Sonic Youth.

35 years ago today

Bought it when it came out and it was the last of their records that I bought.

Did you lose interest?

Did you lose interest?

I felt that they were kind of played out at that point. I still like their early releases.

They opened for a concert I went to in 2000 (Pearl Jam. Don't judge.) Unfortunately, I got a flat tire and listened to them from the parking lot whilst changing said flat tire so I could drive home. Not a fan per se, but I liked their vibe. Sounded good from the parking lot.

They opened for a concert I went to in 2000 (Pearl Jam. Don't judge.) Unfortunately, I got a flat tire and listened to them from the parking lot whilst changing said flat tire so I could drive home. Not a fan per se, but I liked their vibe. Sounded good from the parking lot.

I saw them play at the Electric Banana in Pgh in '85 and at the Kat Club (I think that's what it was called) in NYC in '87. Awesome shows esp the first because there were only about 50 people there.

Some of their later albums are really good.

Meant to put that here

Oh, man, the bass player's hair is peak 80s mullet.

Bass player is Tony Franklin from The Firm (jimmy page/Paul Rodgers/Chris Slade). He's awesome

Baby Franchise, age 14, hops in car after school. Plugs in her phone as she always does. Up pops “Running Up That Hill.”

“How do you know this song?”

“Dad, I know you haven’t watched the new season of Stranger Things yet and told me no spoilers but it is very important. So you have heard of Kate Bush?”

Heh. Let’s go to the record shelves when we get home, shall we?

Kate was only 5 years older than my daughter when The Kick Inside came out. Pretty incredible.