Damn, was just listening to him the other day on the Foo Fighters satellite radio station, and he was talking about how close they came to ending the band before it ever really began.
Long story short, as talented as Hawkins was, he said it was really frustrating when he realized that Dave Grohl was basically better than everyone at their own instruments, including drums. They’d be in a practice session, and Dave would say that he didn’t like something and then literally walk over and show Taylor how he wanted it to be played. Anyway, he got sick of it one day, Dave told him that if he didn’t like it he could leave, and Taylor said 17 it, I’m done.
Thankfully, they made up a day or two later and the rest was history, but the Foo Fighters are one of the most talented rock bands from the last 25 years, and Hawkins was a big part of that. RIP man