The Mercury News

Drummer, 11, has ‘epic’ performanc­e with Foo Fighters

- By Kelly Murray

She’s the girl who dared to challenge Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl to an “epic” online drum duel: and won.

Finally, the multi-instrument­al phenomenon has realized her dream of playing on stage with her musical hero.

Thursday, topping off the band’s live performanc­e at The Forum in Inglewood, 11-year-old Nandi Bushell played drums during their 1997 hit, “Everlong.”

“It happened!!! It was #EPIC!!! Thank you so much @foofighter­s!!! I had the best night ever jamming with you at @ TheForum! Thank you so much Mr. Grohl and Taylor!” Nandi tweeted.

The musicians, decades apart in age and experience, have repeatedly battled one another online on drums.

In September 2020, the Grammy Awardwinni­ng singer, drummer and guitarist wrote a song about Nandi and her musical gifts.

Grohl and Nandi met for a virtual chat late last year, accompanie­d by her mom and dad.

It was during that conversati­on that she got an invitation to play with the band on stage one day.

“But it has to be at the end of the set because you’re going to steal the show,” Grohl told Nandi, who was 10 at the time.

She emphatical­ly agreed.

“I can’t believe I’m talking to you. I feel like I’m meeting a Beatle,” Grohl said. “Have you been playing drums a lot?”

“A lot,” Nandi answered.

“I haven’t. I quit playing drums because I realized I’ll never be as good as you, so I just quit playing drums,” he said.

“Well, just practice, practice, practice,” Nandi advised him.

Nandi told Grohl she started playing drums with her dad when she was 5.

“Then, I got too good for him,” she told Grohl, and so they got a proper teacher for her.

Nandi, who is from the UK, also plays bass, guitar and piano.

 ?? ANDY KROPA — INVISION/AP ?? Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters performed with 11-yearold drummer Nandi Bushell on stage Thursday.
ANDY KROPA — INVISION/AP Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters performed with 11-yearold drummer Nandi Bushell on stage Thursday.

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