The music world was shocked to learn this weekend that Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has died at the age of 50. The band was on tour in South America and was due to perform in Bogota, Colombia on Friday. Hawkins' cause of death has not been revealed.

The band released the following statement:

“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins. His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever. Our hearts go out to his wife, children, and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”

Drum legend Mike Portnoy (Sons Of Apollo, The Winery Dogs, ex-Dream Theater) has shared the following tribute to Hawkins

"It’s been 18 hrs since hearing the news, and I’m still having trouble processing this. I went through the camera roll on my phone and this was the last time I watched Taylor play. Sat behind him for almost an entire set with his side band Chevy Metal. Afterwards, Max & I spent about an hour with him in his dressing room and we talked about everything from Rush to Jane’s Addiction to Yes (I posted a pic of him & Max last night).

Sifting through old emails and texts with him last night was heartbreaking. The last time we spoke he invited me out to see the Foo Fighters at MSG in NYC and I had to cancel at the last minute because of thunderstorms that broke out in PA. He said no worries and I’m always welcome at any show, and I assumed we’d just hook up on his next time through. Of course, that will never happen now and I so regret not going to see his smiling face that last time…

This loss is so shocking and devastating… it’s really hitting hard. And I can’t help but think of how many of my drummer friends we’ve lost over the last few years. AJ Pero, Vinnie Paul, Joey Jordison, Frankie Banali, Nick Menza, Pat Torpey, Sean Reinert, Neil Peart & now Taylor Hawkins…time is precious and tomorrow is never guaranteed (for ourselves or our loved ones) #CarpeDiem."

Photos by Mike Portnoy