Foo Fighters: Josh Freese, Taylor Hawkins replacement fired months after Dave Grohl’s affair scandal
Just months after David Grohl’s affair rocked iconic band the Foo Fighters to its core, a key member has been sacked, with the outgoing musician now speaking out.
Josh Freese, the group’s drummer who was rumoured to be the permanent replacement for the late Taylor Hawkins, has announced he has been fired.
“The Foo Fighters called me Monday night to let me know they’ve decided ‘to go in a different direction with their drummer’,” he wrote.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“No reason was given,” he added.
“Regardless, I enjoyed the past two years with them, both on and off stage, and I support whatever they feel is best for the band.
“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.”
In attempt to be lighthearted about his shock dismissal, Freese revealed what his next gig could be.
“As most of you know I’ve always worked freelance and bounced between bands so, I’m fine,” he wrote.
“Stay tuned for my ‘Top 10 possible reasons Josh got booted from the Foo Fighters‘ list’.”
Freese, who has played worked with other iconic bands including Queen, Nine Inch Nails, Guns N’ Roses, Stone Age, the Vandels and Sting, had joined the Foo Fighters in 2023 after playing a tribute concert for the late Hawkins in 2022.
Hawkins passed away in 2022 in Bogota, Colombia.
The iconic band member had reportedly experienced pains in his chest while on tour, later passing away. He was 50-years-old.
An investigation into his death revealed Hawkins had 10 substances in his system when he died at the Four Seasons Casa Medina hotel.
Freese’s sacking comes after the band was engulfed by scandal in 2024 when Grohl revealed he had fathered a child from an affair.
Grohl confirmed he had a child with Jennifer Young, 38, while he was married to Jordyn Blum, who he shares three children with.
“I’ve recently become the father of a new baby daughter, born outside of my marriage,” Grohl wrote in a statement.
“I plan to be a loving and supportive parent to her.
“I love my wife and my children, and I am doing everything I can to regain their trust and earn their forgiveness.”
Despite speculation initially suggesting Grohl and Blum were set to divorce after the child was born following the affair, sources close to the couple later said the two were trying to work things out.
Around 6 months after the affair was made public, a source claimed Blum had “forgiven” Grohl.
“Jordyn has forgiven Dave and is trying to move on. She is [still] completely devastated by the situation but is standing by his side,” they told US Weekly.
“They are going to counselling, and Dave has been doing anything he can to win back Jordyn’s trust. Neither of them wants the family broken.”
