Foo Fighters Drummer Switchups After Taylor Hawkins' Death 'Complicated', Says Dave Grohl

Grohl opens up about the band's separation from drummer Josh Freese and the challenges of continuing without their longtime member Taylor Hawkins.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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In a recent interview, Dave Grohl discussed the Foo Fighters' drummer changes after the death of longtime member Taylor Hawkins. Grohl said that continuing the band without Hawkins was "really complicated" and that any drummer brought in to fill his shoes would have big shoes to fill. The band parted ways with drummer Josh Freese in 2025 after about a year and a half of touring together, with Grohl saying the decision was mutual as Freese's music didn't fully resonate with the band. The Foo Fighters have since brought on Ilan Rubin as their new drummer, with Grohl saying the band feels like a band again with Rubin's contributions.

Why it matters

The Foo Fighters have been one of the most iconic rock bands for decades, and the death of their longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins was a major loss for the group and their fans. Grohl's candid comments shed light on the challenges the band has faced in trying to move forward without Hawkins, and the importance of finding the right drummer who can help the band recapture their signature sound and energy.

The details

After Hawkins' death in 2022, the Foo Fighters brought on drummer Josh Freese to join the band in May 2023. However, the band and Freese parted ways in May 2025 after about a year and a half of touring together. Grohl said the decision was mutual, as Freese's music didn't fully resonate with the band. The Foo Fighters have since brought on Ilan Rubin, known for his work with Nine Inch Nails and Paramore, as their new drummer, with Grohl saying the band feels like a band again with Rubin's contributions.

  • Hawkins died in 2022.
  • Freese joined the Foo Fighters as their drummer in May 2023.
  • Freese was let go by the band in May 2025 after about a year and a half of touring.
  • The Foo Fighters took a 7-month break after Freese's departure before bringing on Ilan Rubin as their new drummer.

The players

Dave Grohl

The frontman and founder of the Foo Fighters, who has led the band for over 25 years.

Taylor Hawkins

The Foo Fighters' longtime drummer who passed away in 2022.

Josh Freese

A professional drummer who replaced Hawkins in the Foo Fighters in 2023, but was let go by the band in 2025.

Ilan Rubin

The Foo Fighters' current drummer, known for his work with Nine Inch Nails and Paramore.

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What they’re saying

“Continuing on after Taylor was really complicated, not just for us, but for any drummer that was going to come in to fill his shoes.”

— Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters Frontman (Apple Music's The Zane Lowe Show)

“With Josh Freese, Josh is a consummate professional. He has a storied career of playing with everyone from Michael Bublé to The Offspring. I mean, he's 1000s of studio recordings.”

— Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters Frontman (Apple Music's The Zane Lowe Show)

“After that, we didn't make a press release or tweet anything, or do interviews. We didn't say anything.”

— Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters Frontman (Apple Music's The Zane Lowe Show)

What’s next

The Foo Fighters are expected to release their upcoming album 'Your Favorite Toy' in the coming months, featuring their new drummer Ilan Rubin.

The takeaway

The Foo Fighters' journey after the tragic loss of their beloved drummer Taylor Hawkins has been a challenging one, but the band's commitment to honoring his legacy and finding the right drummer to help them move forward is a testament to their resilience and the enduring power of their music.