Guide Note

Foo Fighters are an alternative rock band led by frontman and former Nirvana drummer, Dave Grohl. Other members of the band are Taylor Hawkins (drums), Nate Mendel (bass), Chris Shiflett (guitar), and touring member Rami Jaffee (keyboard). Established in 1995, the band has undergone several lineup changes and enjoyed a string of successful albums and tours.

Fast Facts

1. Genre: Rock
2. Origin: Seattle, Washington
3. Formed: 1995
4. Albums: 6
5. Label: RCA Records, Capitol Records
6. "Foo Fighter" is a Military term used to describe mysterious aerial phenomena
7. First single: "This Is a Call"
8. Almost every album is certified platinum or double platinum
9. Recorded There Is Nothing Left To Lose in Grohl's basement studio in Virginia
10. Covered "Have a Cigar" by Pink Floyd on the Mission Impossible 2 soundtrack with Brian May

Grohl started the Foo Fighters with songs he had written while playing drums for Nirvana in the early '90s. He recorded what would become the self-titled debut album almost entirely on his own (guitarist Greg Dulli contributed to one track). The buzz from these recordings landed him a deal with Capitol Records, and Grohl recruited musicians to turn the Foo Fighters into a full live band. The album was released in 1995 and included such popular singles as "Big Me" and "I'll Stick Around."

Starting with 1997's The Colour and the Shape, Foo Fighters albums were recorded primarily with the full band setup rather than by Grohl alone. After original drummer William Goldsmith left the band, former Alanis Morissette drummer Taylor Hawkins filled in the position permanently. Their second album included the hit singles "Everlong," "My Hero," and "Monkey Wrench," and helped further establish their popularity in rock music. Guitarist Pat Smear left the group and was replaced first by Franz Stahl and finally Chris Shiflett. Meanwhile, the Foos continued to record albums that spawned hit singles like "Learn to Fly," "Best of You," and "The Pretender." Constant touring, millions of album sales, and critical acclaim helped establish them as one of the most successful rock bands in the world.

The Foo Fighters have become a mainstay at the Grammys and other awards ceremonies. As of 2008, they won six Grammys and an MTV VMA, in addition to another 13 nominations for each.