Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has died aged 50, the band has announced.

The rock group said they were “devastated by the untimely loss”.

“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” the band tweeted.

“His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.

“Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”

No cause of death was given in the band’s message.

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Hawkins joined the band in 1997 after previously touring with Canadian-born singer Alanis Morissette.

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He was recruited by frontman Dave Grohl – himself a former drummer with Nirvana – as the band’s success soared with the release of second album The Colour and the Shape.

With Hawkins on board, the Foos moved from the alternative rock scene to achieve mainstream success.

They now regularly pack out arenas and stadium around the world with anthemic tracks such as Everlong, Times Like These and All My Life.

Hawkins, born in Forth Worth in Texas, was married with three children.

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