The Foo Fighters set the stage ablaze at the Kennedy Center Honors with a blistering performance of Led Zeppelin’s Rock and Roll. With Dave Grohl pounding the drums like a man possessed, the late Taylor Hawkins stepped into the spotlight as lead vocalist, proving he was more than just a world-class drummer—he was a powerhouse frontman. Hawkins’ raw energy and wailing vocals electrified the crowd, breathing new life into the 1971 classic.
Among the many impressed faces in the audience were Zeppelin legends Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, grinning ear to ear as they watched the Foos unleash a raucous, high-energy tribute to one of rock’s most iconic anthems. It was a no-holds-barred, full-throttle performance—loud, fast, and overflowing with the unfiltered spirit of rock and roll.
Later in the evening, after delivering heartfelt speeches, the Foo Fighters returned to the stage for yet another unforgettable moment—this time joined by none other than Paul McCartney. Together, they closed the show with an electrifying rendition of Get Back, bringing a fresh, high-energy bounce to the Beatles classic. Grohl and McCartney shared a mic, trading playful falsetto lines, with McCartney’s joy radiating through every note.
For Grohl, the night was yet another milestone in a career filled with legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame moments. Inducted in their first year of eligibility—just like Grohl’s previous band, Nirvana—the Foo Fighters celebrated the honor with pure, unrestrained joy. Grohl reflected on how different this moment felt compared to Nirvana’s induction in 2014, which was overshadowed by the absence of Kurt Cobain. This time, the night was all about celebration—honoring a band that had carved out its own place in rock history.
Grohl’s history with the Rock Hall is filled with unforgettable stories. In 2013, he and Taylor Hawkins paid tribute to Rush in spectacular fashion, delivering a passionate induction speech before donning kimonos for an epic performance of 2112. Two years later, he rocked the stage with Joan Jett and Miley Cyrus during Jett’s induction, a night that ended with Grohl finding himself in a dressing room, sharing a joint with the two rockers.
Looking back on that surreal moment, Grohl later admitted, “I remember staring at Jerry Lee Lewis and just being… I don’t even have the words. I was tripping f***ing balls.”
From Zeppelin tributes to Beatles jam sessions to rock ‘n’ roll’s wildest backstage stories, Grohl and the Foo Fighters continue to write their own legendary chapter in music history.
