In a new interview with Prog Magazine, The Police drummer Stewart Copeland was asked about his participation in the two tribute shows put on in honor of late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins – which took place in both London and Los Angeles in September 2022.
“Ah, yes, what a great day that was, but so happy-sad. Taylor was a close friend of mine, and he’s been over here at the Sacred Grove [studio] many times,” Copeland said, before explaining that Hawkins often came to him for advice.
“I spent many hours agony-aunting for him. You know, I do that with all the musicians of that bandwidth. His relationship with Dave [Grohl, Foo Fighters] was really strong, but they did have issues, and I would talk him down, having had experience with such issues myself.”
Copeland then recalled the heartbreaking moment he found out about Hawkins’ death:
“I remember, I’d just come off stage in Nashville after just a rip-snorting show. I’d headed down to the bar where there’s a wild party in progress. And just as I’m waiting for the elevator, I get the message that Taylor had gone. I couldn’t believe it. I still choke up when I think of good old Taylor, way too young. Then Neil [Peart, Rush], my good buddy Neil, who also came over here a lot. Neil saw his train coming and he had a first-class ticket, and he actually lived a year longer [than expected], but Taylor was out of the blue.”
