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This past Friday (May 16), drummer Josh Freese<\/a> announced that he\u2019s been fired by Foo Fighters<\/a> without warning (and with \u201cno reason . . . given\u201d). Unsurprisingly, Freese has received a plethora of support over the weekend from not only fans but also several huge musicians, including original Foo Fighters<\/a> drummer William Goldsmith<\/a>.<\/p>\n In Freese\u2019s Instagram post \u2013 which you can view below \u2013 he revealed that he found out about the band\u2019s decision on Monday, May 12, writing:<\/p>\n The Foo Fighters called me Monday night to let me know they’ve decided “to go in a different direction with their drummer.” No reason was given. \ud83d\ude41 Regardless, I enjoyed the past two years with them, both on and off stage, and I support whatever they feel is best for the band. In my 40 years of drumming professionally, I’ve never been let go from a band, so while I’m not angry – just a bit shocked and disappointed. But as most of you know, I’ve always worked freelance and bounced between bands so, I’m fine. Stay tuned for my “Top 10 Possible Reasons Josh Got Booted From the Foo Fighters” list.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Given how well he\u2019s been received by fans since replacing late drummer Taylor Hawkins<\/a> in 2023, the news of his dismissal certainly came as a shock to Freese, his followers and the music industry as a whole.<\/p>\n Freese’s post was quickly flooded with supportive comments from fans and fellow musicians, with one of the most significant coming from Goldsmith. Specifically, he replied: \u201cSay what? Why for playing everything not only perfectly but going above and beyond what most are remotely capable of? I apologize but respectfully this makes absolutely no sense to me.\u201d<\/p>\n In an update to their story on the situation (originally posted on May 16), Stereogum<\/a> noted that Goldsmith also made an Instagram Stories post<\/a> in response to what happened. There, he wrote: \u201cI don\u2019t see anything wrong with being such a profoundly great musician, a total professional, reliable in ever sense of the word from what I can tell and going above and beyond what most drummers are even capable of. Baffles my mind.”<\/p>\n As Foo Fighters fans likely know, Goldsmith has a heated history with the band. After all, he quit Foo Fighters during the making 1997’s The Colour and the Shape<\/a><\/em> because he learned that bandleader Dave Grohl<\/a> was re-recording his parts<\/a>. Obviously, Foo Fighters replaced him with Hawkins; meanwhile, Goldsmith rejoined emo\/indie rockers Sunny Day Real Estate<\/a> and then took part in several other projects (such as The Fire Theft and Assertion).<\/p>\n So, Goldsmith\u2019s impassioned reaction to Freese\u2019s firing isn\u2019t exactly shocking.<\/p>\n Of course, Goldsmith wasn\u2019t the only musician who replied to Freese\u2019s post with positivity.<\/p>\n In particular, Police<\/a> drummer Stewart Copeland<\/a> reassured Freese: \u201cThis is lucky for the five other bands that you play with.\u201d Likewise, Dream Theater<\/a> percussionist Mike Portnoy<\/a> proclaimed, \u201cDamn\u2026I\u2019m shocked! You seemed to be the perfect fit!!\u201d whereas Stray From the Path<\/a> drummer Craig Reynolds<\/a> shared: \u201cSorry this happened but happy for me that I don\u2019t have to sit through their songs to watch you play\u201d<\/p>\n Grammy-winning jazz drummer Tommy Igoe<\/a> stated, \u201cI don\u2019t know one single amazing Drummer that has not been let go at least once in their life from a band. NOT ONE. You\u2019re an amazing drummer!\u201d<\/p>\n Similarly, rock\/jazz fusion percussionist Chad Wackerman<\/a> asked: \u201cJosh I really loved what you brought to the band! That\u2019s just crazy. What new direction are they talking about? Polka?\u201d His brother \u2013 Avenged Sevenfold<\/a> drummer Brooks Wackerman<\/a> \u2013 replied: \u201c[S]tunned! you elevated that band as you do in every musical situation.\u201d<\/p>\n There\u2019s also Fiction Plane<\/a> vocalist\/bassist Joe Sumner<\/a>, who wrote: \u201cLook man, you can\u2019t have the new drummer be by far the best musician in the band. It just doesn\u2019t look right.\u201d<\/p>\n Elsewhere, comedian\/musician\/actor Tim Heidecker<\/a>, rapper\/personality Flavor Flav<\/a>, singer Michael Bubl\u00e9<\/a>, The Living End<\/a>\u2019s Chris Cheney<\/a> and L7<\/a>\u2019s Jennifer Precious Finch<\/a> also showed support in the comments of Freese\u2019s Instagram post. It\u2019s worth noting that Foo Fighters haven\u2019t publicly stated anything regarding their separation with Freese. However, they did announce their first 2025 show<\/a> (which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Singapore Grand Prix). It will be their first show since late 2024<\/a> (and first since Grohl revealed that he had a daughter born outside of his marriage to Jordyn Blum<\/a>).<\/p>\n That said, Grohl has appeared on stage as part of a Nirvana<\/a> reunion since then (such as at the FireAid benefit show<\/a> in January 2025 and at Saturday Night Live<\/em>\u2019s 50th anniversary show the following month<\/a>).<\/p>\n So, do you<\/em> have any thoughts on Freese being fired from Foo Fighters? Let us know!<\/p>\n What was the best of their everlong career?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Chad Childers, Loudwire<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhat Goldsmith Said<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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What Other Musicians Wrote<\/strong><\/h3>\n
READ MORE: Foo Fighters Announce First 2025 Concert<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\nFoo Fighters in 2025<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Foo Fighters Albums Ranked<\/h2>\n