Drummers Matt Cameron and Chad Smith — of Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers, respectively — now say quotes in a Rolling Stone article about their longtime friend Taylor Hawkins were “taken out of context.”
The rock bible published “Inside Taylor Hawkins’ Final Days as a Foo Fighter” on Monday. Reporters interviewed 20 of the late musician’s friends for the piece.
The end result heavily focused on Hawkins mental struggles and desire to take a step back from the band because of its upcoming rigorous tour schedule.
Hawkins’ family and Foo Fighters bandmates had declined to partake in the interviews. But Cameron, 59, apparently had plenty to share about the fellow drummer’s state of mind before his passing on March 25 at age 50.
“He had a heart-to-heart with Dave and, yeah, he told me that he ‘couldn’t f – – king do it anymore’ — those were his words,” Cameron told Rolling Stone. “So I guess they did come to some understanding, but it just seems like the touring schedule got even crazier after that.”
On Tuesday, Cameron — who collaborated with Hawkins on his Nighttime Boogie Association side project — said he wishes he hadn’t participated in the story, either.
“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,” he wrote on Instagram. “My quotes were taken out of context and shaped into a narrative I never intended. Taylor was a dear friend, and a next level artist.”
Smith, 60, joined the fray on Wednesday, saying his comments were “sensationalized” in what he assumed would be more “loving tribute.”
He continued in an emotional Instagram post: “I was asked by Rolling Stone to share some memories of our time together, which I thought was going to be a loving tribute he deserved. Instead, the story they wrote was sensationalized and misleading, and had I known I would have never agreed to participate.”
“I miss him,” fellow musician Cameron added about Hawkins. “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.”
The Post has reached out to Rolling Stone for comment.
A rep for the Foo Fighters had told the magazine that the band “disputes Hawkins’ friends’ characterizations of how he was feeling.”
