Feature Photo: mojo-jo-joUploaded by ChrisB at en.wikipedia, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Foo Fighters emerged from the ashes of tragedy to become one of the most enduring rock bands of the modern era. Founded by Dave Grohl in Seattle, Washington, in 1994, the band began as a solo project after the disbandment of Nirvana following Kurt Cobain’s death. Grohl, known for his drumming in Nirvana, surprised the music world by stepping into the spotlight as a vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. What started as a cathartic creative outlet evolved into a full-fledged band, with the original lineup including Grohl, bassist Nate Mendel, drummer William Goldsmith, and guitarist Pat Smear.
The group’s eponymous debut album, Foo Fighters (1995), was recorded entirely by Grohl, who played all the instruments and wrote all the songs. This raw, energetic record featured tracks like “This Is a Call” and “Big Me,” signaling the arrival of a distinctive new voice in rock music. However, the lineup soon experienced changes as Goldsmith departed during the recording of their second album, The Colour and the Shape (1997), citing creative differences. Taylor Hawkins, formerly a drummer for Alanis Morissette, joined the band, along with guitarist Franz Stahl, though Stahl’s tenure was short-lived. Pat Smear also left the band temporarily but later returned, solidifying the group’s classic lineup with Chris Shiflett on lead guitar.
The release of The Colour and the Shape marked a significant turning point for Foo Fighters. The album, produced by Gil Norton, delivered enduring hits like “Everlong,” “Monkey Wrench,” and “My Hero,” blending introspective lyrics with anthemic rock melodies. It achieved multi-platinum status and cemented the band’s place in mainstream rock. Subsequent albums like There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) and One by One (2002) showcased their ability to evolve while maintaining their identity. Tracks like “Learn to Fly” and “All My Life” further expanded their reach, earning critical and commercial acclaim.
Foo Fighters have released eleven studio albums to date, including In Your Honor (2005), Wasting Light (2011), and Medicine at Midnight (2021). Each record reflects their willingness to experiment while staying true to their roots. Wasting Light, produced by Butch Vig and recorded entirely on analog tape, marked a creative high point, with tracks like “Rope” and “Walk” winning Grammy Awards. Their double album, In Your Honor, demonstrated their versatility by pairing acoustic and electric tracks, while Concrete and Gold (2017) showcased a collaboration with pop producer Greg Kurstin, resulting in hits like “Run.”
The band’s accolades are as impressive as their discography. Foo Fighters have won 15 Grammy Awards, including multiple wins for Best Rock Album and Best Rock Performance. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 during their first year of eligibility, solidifying their legacy as one of the most influential bands of their time. Their live performances, known for their energy and connection with fans, have made them a staple at major festivals and arenas worldwide.
Beyond their music, Foo Fighters have made significant contributions outside the studio. Dave Grohl has been involved in numerous projects, including directing the acclaimed documentary Sound City (2013) and the HBO series Sonic Highways (2014), which explored the musical history of different American cities. The band has also been active in philanthropy, supporting organizations like the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and aiding disaster relief efforts.
Tragedy struck the band in 2022 with the untimely passing of Taylor Hawkins, a loss that reverberated throughout the music world. Despite this, Foo Fighters have continued to honor Hawkins’ legacy, showcasing their resilience and dedication to their craft. Their ability to navigate personal and professional challenges has earned them a devoted fanbase and enduring respect within the industry.
Foo Fighters’ blend of heartfelt songwriting, innovative production, and electrifying performances has made them a cornerstone of modern rock. Their journey, from Grohl’s solo endeavor to an internationally celebrated band, reflects their commitment to creativity, collaboration, and the unifying power of music.
(A-B)
“A320” – Godzilla: The Album (1998) “Ain’t It the Life” – There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) “All My Life” – One by One (2002) “Alone + Easy Target” – Foo Fighters (1995) “Another Round” – In Your Honor (2005) “Arlandria” – Wasting Light (2011) “Arrows” – Concrete and Gold (2017) “Aurora” – There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) “Back & Forth” – Wasting Light (2011) “Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners” – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) “Bangin'” – The Pretender single (2007) “Best of You” – In Your Honor (2005) “Better Off” – Wasting Light (Deluxe Edition) (2011) “Beyond Me” – But Here We Are (2023) “Big Me” – Foo Fighters (1995) “Breakout” – There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) “Bridge Burning” – Wasting Light (2011) “Burn Away” – One by One (2002) “But Here We Are” – But Here We Are (2023) “But, Honestly” – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007)
(C-D)
“Chasing Birds” – Medicine at Midnight (2021) “Cheer Up, Boys (Your Make Up Is Running)” – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) “Cloudspotter” – Medicine at Midnight (2021) “Cold Day in the Sun” – In Your Honor (2005) “The Colour and the Shape” – The Colour and the Shape (2007 Edition) “Come Alive” – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) “Come Back” – One by One (2002) “Concrete and Gold” – Concrete and Gold (2017) “Congregation” – Sonic Highways (2014) “Dear Lover” – The Colour and the Shape (10th Anniversary Edition) “Dear Rosemary” – Wasting Light (2011) “The Deepest Blues Are Black” – In Your Honor (2005) “Dirty Water” – Concrete and Gold (2017) “Disenchanted Lullaby” – One by One (2002) “DOA” – In Your Honor (2005) “Doll” – The Colour and the Shape (1997)
(E-F)
“Empty Handed” – Songs From the Laundry Room (2015) “End Over End” – In Your Honor (2005) “Enough Space” – The Colour and the Shape (1997) “Erase/Replace” – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) “Everlong” – The Colour and the Shape (1997) “Exhausted” – Foo Fighters (1995) “The Feast and the Famine” – Sonic Highways (2014) “February Stars” – The Colour and the Shape (1997) “FFL” – Best of You single (2005) “Floaty” – Foo Fighters (1995) “For All the Cows” – Foo Fighters (1995) “Fraternity” – There Is Nothing Left to Lose (Australian/Japanese Edition) “Free Me” – In Your Honor (2005) “Friend of a Friend” – In Your Honor (2005)
(G-H)
“Generator” – There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) “Gimme Stitches” – There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) “The Glass” – But Here We Are (2023) “Good Grief” – Foo Fighters (1995) “Halo” – One by One (2002) “Happy Ever After (Zero Hour)” – Concrete and Gold (2017) “Have It All” – One by One (2002) “Headwires” – There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) “Hearing Voices” – But Here We Are (2023) “Hell” – In Your Honor (2005) “Hey, Johnny Park!” – The Colour and the Shape (1997) “Holding Poison” – Medicine at Midnight (2021) “Home” – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) “How I Miss You” – Foo Fighters (Special Oz Tour Edition) (1995)
(I-L)
“I Am a River” – Sonic Highways (2014) “I Should Have Known” – Wasting Light (2011) “I’ll Stick Around” – Foo Fighters (1995) “If Ever” – The Pretender (2007) “In the Clear” – Sonic Highways (2014) “In Your Honor” – In Your Honor (2005) “Iron Rooster” – Saint Cecilia (2015) “La Dee Da” – Concrete and Gold (2017) “The Last Song” – In Your Honor (2005) “Learn to Fly” – There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) “Let It Die” – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) “The Line” – Concrete and Gold (2017) “Live-In Skin” – There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) “Lonely as You” – One by One (2002) “Long Road to Ruin” – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) “Love Dies Young” – Medicine at Midnight (2021) “Low” – One by One (2002)
(M-N)
“Make a Bet” – Learn to Fly single (1999) “Make It Right” – Concrete and Gold (2017) “Making a Fire” – Medicine at Midnight (2021) “Marigold” – Skin and Bones (2006) “A Matter of Time” – Wasting Light (2011) “Medicine at Midnight” – Medicine at Midnight (2021) “Miracle” – In Your Honor (2005) “Miss the Misery” – Wasting Light (2011) “Monkey Wrench” – The Colour and the Shape (1997) “My Hero” – The Colour and the Shape (1997) “My Poor Brain” – The Colour and the Shape (1997) “M.I.A.” – There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) “The Neverending Sigh” – Saint Cecilia (2015) “New Way Home” – The Colour and the Shape (1997) “Next Year” – There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) “Normal” – Times Like These single (2003) “Nothing at All” – But Here We Are (2023) “No Son of Mine” – Medicine at Midnight (2021) “No Way Back” – In Your Honor (2005)
(O-R)
“Oh, George” – Foo Fighters (1995) “The One” – Orange County soundtrack (2002) “On the Mend” – In Your Honor (2005) “Once & for All” – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) “Outside” – Sonic Highways (2014) “Overdrive” – One by One (2002) “Over and Out” – In Your Honor (2005) “Podunk” – Foo Fighters (Special Oz Tour Edition) (1995) “The Pretender” – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) “Razor” – In Your Honor (2005) “Rescued” – But Here We Are (2023) “Resolve” – In Your Honor (2005) “Rest” – But Here We Are (2023) “Rope” – Wasting Light (2011) “Run” – Concrete and Gold (2017)
(S)
“Saint Cecilia” – Saint Cecilia (2015) “Savior Breath” – Saint Cecilia (2015) “Sean” – Saint Cecilia (2015) “Seda” – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) “See You” – The Colour and the Shape (1997) “Shake Your Blood” (Live at Hyde Park) – Hyde Park (2006) “Shame Shame” – Medicine at Midnight (2021) “Show Me How” – But Here We Are (2023) “The Sign” – In Your Honor (2005) “Skin and Bones” – Skin and Bones (2006) “The Sky Is a Neighborhood” – Concrete and Gold (2017) “Soldier” – 7-Inches for Planned Parenthood (2017) “Snoof” – One by One (2002) “Something from Nothing” – Sonic Highways (2014) “Spill” – Best of You single (2005) “Stacked Actors” – There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) “Statues” – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) “Still” – In Your Honor (2005) “Stranger Things Have Happened” – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) “Subterranean” – Sonic Highways (2014) “Summer’s End” – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) “Sunday Rain” – Concrete and Gold (2017)
(T-Z)
“The Teacher” – But Here We Are (2023) “These Days” – Wasting Light (2011) “This Is a Call” – Foo Fighters (1995) “Times Like These” – One by One (2002) “Tired of You” – One by One (2002) “T-Shirt” – Concrete and Gold (2017) “Under You” – But Here We Are (2023) “Up in Arms” – The Colour and the Shape (1997) “Virginia Moon” – In Your Honor (2005) “Waiting on a War” – Medicine at Midnight (2021) “Walk” – Wasting Light (2011) “Walking a Line” – One by One (2002) “Walking After You” – The Colour and the Shape (1997) “Wattershed” – Foo Fighters (1995) “Weenie Beenie” – Foo Fighters (1995) “What Did I Do?/God as My Witness” – Sonic Highways (2014) “What If I Do?” – In Your Honor (2005) “Wheels” – Greatest Hits (2009) “White Limo” – Wasting Light (2011) “Win or Lose” – The One single (2002) “Wind Up” – The Colour and the Shape (1997) “Winnebago” – Foo Fighters (1995) “Word Forward” – Greatest Hits (2009) “World” (Demo) – Five Songs and a Cover (2005) “X-Static” – Foo Fighters (1995)
Check out our fantastic and entertaining Foo Fighters articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
Brian Kachejian was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of ClassicRockHistory.com. He has spent thirty years in the music business often working with many of the people who have appeared on this site. Brian Kachejian also holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Stony Brook University along with New York State Public School Education Certifications in Music and Social Studies. Brian Kachejian is also an active member of the New York Press.