A few names have been bandied about

2022 was a tough year for Foo Fighters, and particularly for frontman Dave Grohl - who had to relive the horror of losing another friend and bandmate in tragic circumstances.

It's no surprise that the band cancelled all of their planned tour dates and have taken some time out to reassess their future - with the exception of two huge tribute concerts to drummer Taylor Hawkins in London and Los Angeles toward the end of the year.

Hawkins died suddenly in March 2022 at the age of 50 - but the band have released an official statement declaring their intention to continue Foo Fighters without him.

"Foo Fighters were formed 27 years ago to represent the healing power of music and a continuation of life," it read. "And for the past 27 years our fans have built a worldwide community, a devoted support system that helped us all get through the darkest of times together. A place to share our joy and our pain, our hopes and fears, and to join in a chorus of life together through music. Without Taylor, we never would have become the band that we were — and without Taylor, we know that we’re going to be a different band going forward."

It's not yet clear who will be his replacement; his teenage son Shane impressed majorly during the London tribute, but he is only 16.

Many fans have speculated that Rufus Tiger (son of Roger) Taylor, who drums with Queen and The Darkness, is a shoo-in; other names in the mix include Josh Freese (former Guns N' Roses, Nine Inch Nails and Weezer session drummer) and Jon Theodore (formerly of Queens of the Stone Age and The Mars Volta). Smashing Pumpkins' Jimmy Chamberlin has even been mentioned by some.

Whoever it is, with no rescheduled tour dates announced as yet, it looks like the band may have time to bed in their new member.