More artists announced for Taylor Hawkins tribute shows in London and LA
Tickets for the huge gigs go on sale today (June 17)
By Joe Goggins
A second wave of artists have been announced for September’s Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts in London and Los Angeles.
At Wembley Stadium on September 3, an already star-studded bill is fleshed out further by the addition of Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, his bandmate in supergroup Them Crooked Vultures, Alain Johannes, 12-year-old viral drumming sensation Nandi Bushell, Chic legend Nile Rodgers, Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, and renowned producer Greg Kurstin. Additionally, comedian Chris Rock will make a special appearance, joining fellow funnyman Dave Chappelle.
In Los Angeles, meanwhile, pop icon P!nk, multi-platinum-selling singer LeAnn Rimes, and Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson have been added to the lineup, along with Jones, Johannes, Novoselic and Kurstin. That show takes place at the Kia Forum in Inglewood on September 27. Tickets for both shows go on sale today (June 17), at 9am local time.
The shows look set to see Foo Fighters joined by a revolving lineup of drummers in place of Hawkins, who died suddenly in March at the age of 50. The Police’s Stewart Copeland and Queen’s Roger Taylor are among the sticksmen on the Wembley lineup. Further A-list names on the poster include Liam Gallagher, Mark Ronson and The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde.
The announcement has not come without controversy. The inclusion of Chapelle has raised eyebrows, given that the veteran comic remains unrepentant in the face of a wave of criticism that followed his latest Netflix special, in which he made a slew of transphobic jokes. Additionally, Queens of the Stone Age frontman Joshua Homme will be at Wembley, despite standing accused by his ex-wife, Brody Dalle, and his children of domestic abuse. His presence raises the prospect of a first performance by Them Crooked Vultures since 2010, given that Jones, Dave Grohl and live guitarist Johannes will all be on hand.
Announcing the shows earlier this month, Foo Fighters said in a statement: “As one of the most respected and beloved figures in modern music, Taylor’s monolithic talent and magnetic personality endeared him to millions of fans, peers, friends and fellow musical legends the world over. Millions mourned his untimely passing on March 25, with passionate and sincere tributes coming from fans as well as musicians Taylor idolised.”
“The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts will unite several of those artists, the Hawkins family and of course his Foo Fighters brothers in celebration of Taylor’s memory and his legacy as a global rock icon—his bandmates and his inspirations playing the songs that he fell in love with, and the ones he brought to life.”