Dave Grohl revealed that the star-studded tribute to late bandmate Taylor Hawkins wasn’t going to be “some f-ing funeral” ahead of last night’s gig in memory of the tragic drummer.
The Foo Fighters frontman confided in Taylor’s close friend Luke Spiller from The Struts’ about his plans for the concert.
Luke, who performed with Queen legends Brian May and oger Taylor rehearsals.
The British rocker said: “This week has been very bittersweet, and there have definitely been moments when we’ve all had to hold the tears back.
“Taylor and I were good buddies, and musically, we were kindred spirits. I can still hear him calling me at 7.30 in the morning, saying: ‘Lucas, how’s it going?’
“This week we were all at (music venue) 606 in London, and I took Dave to one side and said: ‘Thank you so much for considering me to be involved. I’m so happy I can contribute in some way.’
“He told me: ‘Just remember, this isn’t some f-ing funeral. This is a celebration, and we are doing it at Wembley because Taylor deserves Wembley. Taylor deserves nothing but the best for his send off.’
“And it’s right. I wish we didn’t have to do it. But it will be a moment and a day people will never forget.
“The thing about Taylor was he had a great ability to bring people together, and that ability is being amplified now more than ever.
“He was an amazing guy and one who will be sorely missed. I have great memories of hanging out in his house, performing Queen cover songs together.
“When I found out I was going to be performing with Roger and Brian, I could literally see him smiling, and patting me on the back that I’d be on stage with them.”
Millions of rock fans were shocked when Taylor was found dead in a hotel in Bogota, Colombia, where the band had been due to play a festival.
Last night’s tribute was Foo Fighters’ first performance since their final concert with the drummer in Argentina in March.
And Luke, who became pals with Taylor when The Struts supported the Foos in 2018, recalled his last conversation with him a week before he died.
Luke revealed: “He was massively upbeat — he was in the car with his wife Alison — and he was asking about a tour date.
“A few weeks earlier we’d met to play at his house, and I had some personal things going on.
“Despite having plans he sat down with me and talked them out. When I left, he gave me a hug and told me: ‘Get out of here’.
“He was so kind and warm-hearted, and had a brilliant nature. He wasn’t one of those people who wanted to come across as ‘that rock star.’
“And he was never complacent, which is one of the traits all the greats have.
“He was always humble, and I don’t think he ever knew how great he really was.”
NEWLY single James Arthur is looking for love on A-list dating app Raya.
The singer, who recently split from his on-off girlfriend dancer Jessica Grist, shows off his famous friends in his pictures by including selfies of him with Katy Perry and Nicole Scherzinger.
Asked recently about being “one of the most eligible pop stars in the world”, he responded: “I’ll keep writing love songs and see what happens”.
And it seems he’s really putting that to the test as he has used his own hit Say You Won’t Let Go on his page.
He’s in good company as plenty of stunners have also been known to use the app, including Fkwa Twigs, Demi Lovato– and even Carol Vorderman.
It comes after James, below, was revealed to be messaging Natalya Platonova, winner of Channel 4’s The Circle, in May. Happy matching, James . . .
PALS fear that Jourdan Dunn’s engagement is off after she appears to have removed her massive sparkler of a ring.
The supermodel’s fella, rapper and designer Dion Hamilton, popped the question two years ago but has recently been absent from her social media.
And he was nowhere to be seen when Jourdan celebrated her 32nd birthday in the Dominican Republic with her mates last month.
The catwalk star has recently opened up about starting therapy. She explained: “My self-talk when I was younger was so negative. Love starts with self.”
Whatever’s going on with her love life, I hope she’s happy.
TOM FLETCHER has invented a new music genre for his upcoming McFly album – frock.
The frontman gave me an exclusive titbit about the band’s upcoming musical offering when I saw him at the theatre this week.
He said: “We’ve been recording the McFly album. We just finished it yesterday. It’s fun but rocky. Fun rock. Frock. We all love a frock.”
The singer, who is supporting bandmate Danny Jones – who is through to the semi-finals on Celebrity MasterChef – added: “Danny’s an amazing chef and I’ve seen him cook for other people.
“But the only thing he has cooked for me is breakfast stuff like scrambled eggs.”
I think you have some making up to do, Danny.
GARY BARLOW has a totally barking post-show ritual – he sits and talks to his dogs.
The Take That star is currently taking London’s West End by storm with his new one-man show A Different Stage.
He told me following his performance on Thursday: “After I finish, I usually just stay here and warm my voice down.
“Then, usually, by the time we’ve got out of here, said hello to everyone waiting outside, I head home and sit and talk to the dogs for a bit.”
To be fair to him his pets Cooksy and Hugo look like they would be great listeners.
He added: “Performing solo is always very different from being in the band.
“However, this is different than even my usual solo work. It’s like nothing I’ve done before.
“All I can describe it as, is it’s like you’re driving a really fast car and you’re not a very good driver. That’s how it feels.
“But somehow, I’m keeping this car on the road.
“It’s thrilling – every single night.”
ROWAN ATKINSON’S stunning daughter Lily Sastry is launching a pop career.
The former burlesque performer, left, spent many years belting out jazz songs half-naked on a piano but has now formed an electronic music duo called Ilivati showcasing her sultry vocals.
Lily recently ditched the Blackadder funnyman’s surname and adopted the maiden name of her mother, Sunetra Sastry, whom Rowan, below as Mr Bean, dumped in 2014 for a younger woman, actor LOUISE FORD.
A source said: “Lily prefers the anonymity that her mum’s maiden name gives her.
“She works hard and doesn’t want anyone to think she’s just in the music industry because of who her dad is.”
I hope she has better moves than her old man.
MATT GOSS wants to duet and write a power ballad with Adele.
The singer, who is busy promoting his catchy new disco single Are You Ready, caught up with me over a chat on the phone soon after landing in the UK from America.
He said: "I'd love to do a duet with Adele. There's not been a big double vocal song for so long.
"A deeply emotional ballad would be beautiful. I'm looking forward to collaborating with some British artists while I'm here."
Matt would also love to offer his advice ahead of her upcoming Las Vegas residence at Caesar's Palace in November, having performed at the venue himself for many years.
He said: "Around 40million people go through Las Vegas every year, but anything you know about the music industry doesn't really apply. It's its own universe.
"I have a lot of faith in Ceaser's Palace. That venue was my home for many years. They were family.
"You work with them, you never feel like you're working for them. I'm sure they'll look after Adele very well."
Matt has recently been influenced by the late George Michael in his songwriting.
He said: "I was inspired by Fastlove. It's a feel-good song.
"To have an album in the Top Ten this year was an amazing thing. It's harder than people think to stay contemporary."
I can't wait to see his turn in Strictly...
I CAN see why designer labels pay Kendall Jenner the big bucks- she makes reclining in the hedge in her undies look comfortable.
The reality star fronts the new Jimmy Choo campaign modelling showing off pink boots and a handbag.
Kendall opened up about doing the hard raft at the beginning of her modelling career.
She said: "I did everything that I was supposed to do and had to do to get the position I'm at now as a model.
"I went to every single casting, ran all over not only NYC but all over Europe trying to get a job and make my way.
I hope she didn't get a back rash from all that lounging around in the shrubbery.
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