Chad Smith and Matt Cameron Apologize to Foo Fighters Over Quotes About Taylor Hawkins

In a new Rolling Stone article about Taylor Hawkins, friends and colleagues of the late drummer gave interviews about his final months. It includes quotes claiming that Hawkins privately expressed discomfort about Foo Fighters’ extensive tour schedule. The band’s representatives denied these characterizations. Pearl Jam’s Matt Cameron and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, who were among the sources discussing Hawkins’ final private conversations, have since released statements today apologizing to Hawkins’ bandmates and family. They also distanced themselves from the article.

“When I agreed to take part in the Rolling Stone article about Taylor, I assumed it would be a celebration of his life and work,” Matt Cameron wrote in a statement. “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 apologize that my participation may have caused harm to those for whom I have only the deepest respect and admiration.”

“Taylor was one of my best friends and I would do anything for his family,” Smith wrote. “I was asked by Rolling Stone to share some memories of our time together, which I thought was going to be the loving tribute he deserved. Instead, the story they wrote was sensationalized and misleading, and had I known I never would have agreed to participate. I apologize to his family and musical friends for any pain this may have caused. I miss Taylor every day.”

Cameron and Smith were two of four sources in the article who discussed Hawkins’ apparent anxiety and concerns about the Foo Fighters’ touring schedule in his final months. A third source was kept anonymous, and the fourth was singer Sass Jordan, who posted a link to the article this morning on her public Facebook page.

Pitchfork has reached out to Rolling Stone and Foo Fighters for comment.

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