Chad Smith and Matt Cameron apologise to Foo Fighters over Taylor Hawkins touring quotes

18 May 2022, 10:25 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith and Pearl Jam's Matt Cameron have apologised to Foo Fighters on socials, with Smith calling a recent Rolling Stone article that featured quotes about Taylor Hawkins having concerns about the band's touring schedule "sensationalised and misleading."

Two days ago Rolling Stone published an article about Taylor Hawkins' final days before his death in March, which saw them interview some of Hawkins' closest friends, including Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron.

In the piece, Cameron reportedly said, "He had a heart-to-heart with Dave and, yeah, he told me that he ‘couldn’t fucking do it anymore’ — those were his words." The piece notes that a representative for Foo Fighters denied that there was ever a "heart-to-heart", and Hawkins never spoke about those issues.

Sass Jordan, one of Hawkins' longtime friends and former boss described Hawkins as "just so tired", and Cameron also reportedly spoke about Hawkins trying to "keep up" with Foo Fighters' extensive touring schedule.

Last night (17 May) on socials, both Cameron and Smith posted apologies to Foo Fighters and Hawkins' family, and distanced themselves from the article. Cameron wrote that he thought the piece "would be a celebration of his life and work," while Smith wrote that he believed it would be "the loving tribute he deserved."

Cameron added, "My quotes were taken out of context and shaped into a narrative I had never intended. Taylor was a dear friend, and a next level artist. I miss him. I have only the deepest love and respect for Taylor, Dave and the Foo Fighters families. I am truly sorry to have taken part in this interview and I apologise that my participation may have caused harm to those for whom I have only the deepest respect and admiration."

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Smith's statement added, "Instead, the story they wrote was sensationalised and misleading, and had I known I never would have agreed to participate. I apologise to his family and musical friends for any pain this may have caused. I miss Taylor every day."