Since The Forum in Los Angeles first opened in 1967, the historic concert venue and former home of the Lakers has hosted many of the city's most historic live events. Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Prince, Parliament, David Bowie, Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine, and countless others have have graced the stage at the cherished arena. It was more than a fitting venue to host the Foo Fighters' emotional six-hour tribute concert to their late dummer Taylor Hawkins last night, following last month's star-studded tribute at Wembley Stadium in London.
"Taylor was friends with every fucking musician on Earth," Grohl remarked on stage last night. "He knew more about music than anyone I know."
Pink photo by Timothy Norris
Taylor's connection and impact on rock 'n' roll was on full display last night, as one by one a who's who of rock and pop royalty took to the stage. Pink performed with Queen and Heart's Nancy Wilson, Miley Cyrus joined Def Leppard, Kesha covered Bowie's "Heroes," Joe Walsh reunited his '70s hitmakers James Gang, Joan Jett played "Cherry Bomb" with Travis Barker, Soundgarden performed with Taylor Momsen, Them Crooked Vultures covered Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," plus Rush, Alanis Morissette, The Police's Stewart Copeland, Jack Black, and Metallica's Lars Ulrich, among others, all paid their musical respects to Hawkins.
"I have to say, this concert, compared to the London concert, this fucking rocks harder," Grohl stated later that night.
Foo Fighters photo by Timothy Norris
The evening ended with a 12-song set from Foo Fighters—with Dave Chappelle joining the band to cover Radiohead's Creep"—and a revolving door of superstar drummers sitting in with the band: Rage Against the Machine's Brad Wilk, Soundgarden's Matt Cameron, Josh Freese, The Darkness' Rufus Taylor, Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith, and, ultimately, Hawkins' 16-year-old son Shane.
When it was all said and done, Grohl thanked the crowd, marveling that "this many people connected through one person."
Check out more highlights from the event—which benefitted Music Support and Musicares—below.
Foo Fighters / photo by Andreas Nuemann
Dave Grohl photo by Timothy Norris
Miley Cyrus / photo by Andreas Nuemann
Alanis Morrisette / photo by Timothy Norris
Pat Smear and Alanis Morrisette / photo by Timothy Norris
Joan Jett photo by Timothy Norris
Them Crooked Vultures / photo Andreas Nuemann
John Paul Jones/Them Crooked Vultures photo by Timothy Norris
Them Crooked Vultures / photo Andreas Nuemann
Jack Black / photo Andreas Nuemann
Pink and Queen photo by Andrew Stuart
Taylor Momsem with Soungarden and Krist Novoselic / photo by Timothy Norris
Kesha photo by Danny Clinch
James Gang photo by Danny Clinch
Rush photo by Andrew Stuart
Mötley Crüe / photo by Danny Clinch
Stewart Copeland / / photo by Timothy Norris
Justin Hawkins of The Darkness / / photo by Timothy Norris
Heart’s Nancy Wilson photo by Timothy Norris
Coattail Riders/Chevy Metal photo by Danny Clinch
Chad Smith photo by Andrew Stuart
Rage Against the Machine’s Brad Wilk / photo by Timothy Norris
Final Bow / photo by Oliver Halfin
Scroll through more from the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert below.
Joan Jett photo by Timothy Norris
