Chili Peppers honor Foo Fighter drummer at Jazz Fest

NEW ORLEANS » A cathartic return of music and culture to New Orleans’ chief music festival after three years ended its first weekend with the Red Hot Chili Peppers honoring the late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins by closing out the show for his band.

Hawkins died March 25, and the Foo Fighters bowed out of their slot at Jazz Fest, the first time New Orleans has held the massive festival since COVID-19 cancelled it in 2020 and 2021.

Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith’s bass drum Sunday had a hawk silhouette like the one tattooed on Hawkins’ arm. Taylor was written across it, reported.