Earlier this year, the rock world was devastated by the sudden and tragic death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. The 50-year-old died in March after suffering a "cardiovascular collapse," and a toxicology report found presences of marijuana, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and opioids in his system.
However, a small but vocal minority of people have begun promoting a bizarre conspiracy theory that Hawkins died because Foo Fighters bandleader Dave Grohl made him take the COVID-19 vaccine. In a recent interview, Foos guitarist Chris Shiflett shared a strongly-worded message aimed at those who are propagating that unfounded theory: "fuck you."
While speaking with The Plug With Justin Jay, Shiflett was describing the way interviewers and fans have been handling the "elephant in the room" that is Hawkins' death.
"Most people that I've encountered have been respectful about it or try to avoid it," Shiftlett said, as transcribed by NME. "It probably will be [more of a thing] when we ever get around to putting out another Foo Fighters record and go back into the promo boogie woogie.
"I remember that when I joined Foo Fighters, it was 1999 so it was a while after Kurt Cobain had died, but I would watch interviewers twist themselves in knots trying to ask Dave [Grohl] about it but not ask. I would think it would turn into that kinda thing."
"People are pretty respectful," he added, "but it's made me reconsider everything I thought I knew about Jim Morrison dying, or Randy Rhoads or any of those rock 'n' roll tragedies".
However, Shiflett then pivoted to airing out the surprising number of COVID-19 conspiracists who've been levying unfounded accusations at his bandmate regarding Hawkins' death.
"Taylor was this big character and he meant a lot to millions of people so I get that fascination with [his death], but so much of what I've seen out there is so completely wrong," he said.
"There's people out there saying shit like Dave killed Taylor by making him get the COVID vaccine. You're going to turn it into that? Fuck you. I try not to pay attention to it but it does make you angry because that shit is just disrespectful."
