On May 16, 2022, Rolling Stone published a piece titled “Inside Taylor Hawkins’ Final Days as a Foo Fighter,” which quoted several of Hawkins’ close friends and fellow musicians who talked to the publication about the events leading up to his death. One of the more notable quotes came from Pearl Jam and Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron, who claimed that Hawkins had a “heart-to-heart” conversation with Dave Grohl where he admitted to the Foo Fighters founder that he “couldn’t [expletive] do it anymore,” seemingly in reference to the Foos’ touring schedule. “So I guess they did come to some understanding, but it just seems like the touring schedule got even crazier after that,” Cameron continued.
Also speaking to Rolling Stone, Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers said that the December 2021 incident where Hawkins allegedly lost consciousness on a Chicago flight “was one of the straws that broke the camel’s back,” prompting Hawkins to tell his fellow drummer, “I can’t do it like this anymore.” Canadian rocker Sass Jordan, whose backing band Hawkins played for before his well-documented stints with Alanis Morissette and the Foo Fighters, told the publication that she believes the drummer was “tired of the whole game.” An unnamed friend of Hawkins also chimed in, telling Rolling Stone, “The fact that he finally spoke to Dave and really told him that he couldn’t do this and that he wouldn’t do it anymore, that was freeing for him.”
That all said, Rolling Stone made sure to note that it isn’t clear how much of a change Hawkins wanted. The outlet also included many disclaimers in its article, citing a Foo Fighters representative who maintained that Hawkins never had a heart-to-heart conversation with Grohl or raised any concerns about tour schedules or similar matters.
