The Emotional Night Dave Grohl Joined McCartney Onstage

Dave Grohl has opened up about his emotional return to the stage in 2022, when he joined Paul McCartney during the latter’s headline performance at Glastonbury Festival. Appearing before a massive crowd on the Pyramid Stage, Grohl took part in renditions of “I Saw Her Standing There” and “Band on the Run,” before returning later in the set alongside Bruce Springsteen for the encore.

The moment carried profound significance. It marked Grohl’s first onstage appearance since the death of Taylor Hawkins earlier that year. Hawkins’ sudden passing, while Foo Fighters were touring South America, led to the immediate cancellation of all tour dates and left the band navigating an uncertain and deeply painful period.

A Blur Behind the Scenes

Speaking in a recent interview with the BBC, Grohl revealed that the performance almost did not come together as planned. Travel complications meant he arrived with barely enough time to process what he was about to do.

“I walked backstage 20 minutes before we were supposed to go on, so the whole thing was kind of a blur,” he said. “But it meant a lot, for sure. He and his family were always so sweet and supportive and welcoming.”

That sense of disorientation, however, only underscored the emotional gravity of the moment. Sharing a stage with McCartney—one of rock’s most enduring figures—offered both comfort and a sense of continuity at a time when Grohl was still grappling with loss.

Carrying On, With No Guarantees

Grohl also reflected on the difficult decision to continue as Foo Fighters following Hawkins’ death. “Continuing as a band was not easy,” he admitted. “We were like best friends and brothers – so it was really complicated and felt really strange for a little while.”

He emphasized that moving forward depended on trust and solidarity. “If you’re surrounded by people that you know you can really rely on, that’s the key,” he said—pointing to a support system that, in moments like Glastonbury, included McCartney himself.

With a new album, Your Favorite Toy, set for release on April 24, the band is preparing for two UK shows in June, both scheduled in McCartney’s hometown of Liverpool. Speculation has naturally followed, with fans wondering whether the former Beatle might return the favor and join them onstage.

Grohl, however, has been careful to manage expectations. “I have not asked,” he clarified. “I only texted and said, ‘Hey, we’re playing in your hometown.’ And he goes, ‘You’ll love it.’”

Still, in an era where rock’s most iconic figures frequently cross paths in unexpected ways, the possibility lingers. McCartney has shown a willingness to make surprise appearances—most notably joining Springsteen in Liverpool last summer—and such moments tend to materialize less through planning than through instinct and shared history. Whether or not he steps onto the stage with Foo Fighters, the connection between these artists already reflects something deeper: a lineage of resilience, camaraderie, and an enduring commitment to live performance that continues to define rock music at its highest level.