Foo Fighters pay tribute to “the best drummer alive” while Taylor Hawkins heads the “Grammys in memoriam” section

Clips of Taylor Hawkins made headlines in the In Memoriam section of the 64th Annual Grammys as the Foo Fighters paid tribute to “the best drummer in the world”.

It comes just over a week after Hawkins’ death was announced on social media while the band was on tour in South America.

Foo Fighters previously won all three awards they were nominated for at this year’s Grammys: Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song and Best Rock Album for their latest work, Medicine at Midnight.

Recordings of performances and backstage moments with the late drummer were set onto the band’s song My Hero, although Hawkins did not perform on the song’s original recording.

Frontman Dave Grohl was heard saying, “He’s the best drummer in the world, we love him so much”.

An audio clip of Hawkins said, “I realized that to be a good drummer you have to be an actor.”

Following the news, the Foo Fighters canceled all upcoming tour dates as well as their performance at Sunday’s Grammys and their awards were accepted by presenter Jimmy Jam.

Oscar winner and Grammy nominee Billie Eilish performed at the ceremony wearing a t-shirt with a picture of Hawkins on the front.

Hawkins had played in former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl’s band alongside Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee for more than two decades.

He joined the Foo Fighters in 1997 after previously touring with Alanis Morrissette. Hawkins also starred with the band in their recently released film Studio 666.

Hawkins’ death led to countless tributes to other famous artists, including Sir Paul McCartney, who described him as a “true rock ‘n’ roll hero”.

Foo Fighters won Best Rock Performance for Making A Fire and Best Rock Song for Waiting On A War, which is included on their latest album.