Taylor Hawkins Almost Joined Guns N’ Roses, Roger Taylor Talked Him Out Of It
Taylor Hawkins is best known for being the drummer in the Foo Fighters, but that could’ve changed had it not been for some wise words from Queen drummer Roger Taylor.
In an interview with Classic Rock, Hawkins recalled being contacted by Guns N’ Roses management while being on the road with the Foo Fighters in the U.K. in support of third studio album, 1999’s There Is Nothing Left To Lose.
“Axl was trying to get together a new version of Guns N’ Roses, and I think he was checking around for people,” said Hawkins. “They wanted to know if I would come in and try out or whatever. It was kind of otherworldly.”
Torn on what to do, Hawkins asked Taylor for advice, and he told him about how singer Ian Hunter and guitarist Mick Ronson tried to recruit him for a new band in the early ’70s. Even though Taylor was in Queen at the time, they had yet to really breakout. However, while Taylor considered the gig, he “…couldn’t imagine being on stage and looking up and not seeing Freddie Mercury or Brian May in front of him.”
Hawkins continued, “And he said, ‘I see you and Dave onstage and there’s something you can’t buy there. There’s something between you guys that might not be there with Axl Rose.’ And he was right.'”
The Foos are currently between tour/album cycles right now, but Hawkins just released a new album with his latest side band, Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders, called Get The Money. That LP is available through various digital platforms here, while exclusive merch bundles are available at Shop.TaylorHawkins.com.
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