Queen Legend’s Son Joined Foo Fighters for a Powerful “Under Pressure” Performance — With Taylor Hawkins Taking the Mic
Foo Fighters turned a New Orleans show into an unexpected Queen tribute when Rufus Tiger Taylor, the son of Queen drummer Roger Taylor, joined the band onstage for a performance of “Under Pressure.”
The surprise collaboration became even more memorable when Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins stepped away from the kit and took on the lead vocals.
And Hawkins had no intention of playing it safe.
Rufus Taylor joins Foo Fighters onstage
The special performance took place at Voodoo Fest in New Orleans on October 28, 2017, when Foo Fighters brought Rufus onto the stage to play drums on their rendition of the Queen and David Bowie classic.
Rufus proved that the musical talent associated with his famous father had clearly carried into the next generation. His energetic drumming helped drive the performance as the band delivered its own live interpretation of “Under Pressure.”
But the biggest surprise came from Hawkins.
Rather than remaining behind the drum kit, the late Foo Fighters drummer took the microphone and handled the lead vocals — tackling a song famously associated with Freddie Mercury and David Bowie.
Hawkins demonstrated an impressive vocal range while putting his own stamp on the Queen classic.
A performance with a deeper connection
The collaboration carried particular significance because Hawkins was Rufus Taylor’s godfather.
Hawkins was also an enormous Queen fan and had frequently spoken about his admiration for the British rock legends.
Rufus, meanwhile, had already established himself as a formidable drummer in his own right, including performances and tours with Queen + Adam Lambert.
The chemistry between the musicians helped give the performance a relaxed, spontaneous atmosphere, with the Foo Fighters appearing to embrace the fun of bringing another generation of Queen’s musical legacy onto their stage.
The live version proved popular online as well, eventually attracting 4.8 million views on YouTube.
Fans praised Rufus’s performance and the connection to his father, with viewers celebrating the sight of Roger Taylor’s son taking over the drums for one of Queen’s most recognisable songs.
Taylor Hawkins’ love for Queen was no secret
Hawkins regularly spoke about Queen in interviews and made little effort to hide just how deeply he admired the band.
He often described Queen as his favourite band and, in his view, the greatest band of all time.
His biggest drumming inspiration within the group was Roger Taylor.
In a 2016 interview with NME, Hawkins revealed that Queen’s “Keep Yourself Alive” had helped inspire him to become a drummer.
That admiration made his decision to sing “Under Pressure” even more fitting.
In a 2003 interview with Rhythm magazine, Hawkins singled out the song as particularly meaningful to him, describing it as his favourite Queen track and praising its groove and Roger Taylor’s drumming.
Another unforgettable father-and-son Foo Fighters moment
The Foo Fighters have since created another emotional connection between generations of musicians.
At a tribute concert honouring Hawkins after his death, his son Shane Hawkins joined the band onstage to perform “My Hero.”
The performance became another powerful reminder of how music can connect parents and children across generations.
But the 2017 New Orleans performance remains especially memorable for its combination of three generations of rock history: Roger Taylor’s son behind the drums, Taylor Hawkins leading the vocals, and Queen’s “Under Pressure” bringing the entire moment together.