Foo Fighters Drummer Josh Freese Announces He Was Fired From Band

Foo Fighters' Taylor Hawkins Dead at 50

The Foo Fighters will learn to fly again without drummer Josh Freese.

The 52-year-old announced May 16 that he fired from the band, which he joined in 2023 following the death of longtime member Taylor Hawkins.

"The Foo Fighters called me Monday night to let me know they've decided 'to go in a different direction with their drummer,'" Freese wrote on his Instagram. "No reason was given. :(." (The band currently consists of Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear and Rami Jaffee.)

Regardless, he continued, “I enjoyed the past two years with them, both on and off stage, and I support whatever they feel is best for the band."

Freese reflected on the bombshell moment, a first in his career.

"In my 40 years of drumming professionally, I've never been let go from a band, so while I'm not angry-just a bit shocked and disappointed," he said. "But as most of you know I've always worked freelance and bounced between bands so, I'm fine. Stay tuned for my 'Top 10 possible reasons Josh got booted from the Foo Fighters.’ list.”

Which likely didn’t come as a huge surprise. After all, Freese performed with the group at their two tribute concerts for Hawkins in Los Angeles and London in 2022. Earlier that year, Hawkins died at age 50 while in Colombia. At the time, the drummer had 10 types of substances in his system.

"Without Taylor, we would never have become the band that we were," the band wrote in December 2022, "and without Taylor, we know that we're going to be a different band going forward."

"We also know that you, the fans, meant as much to Taylor as he meant to you," the message continued. “And we know that when we see you again—and we will soon—he'll be there in spirit with all of us every night."