At a Glance
- Pat Smear, 66, will miss several Foo Fighters shows after a “bizarre gardening accident” fractured multiple bones in his left foot
- The band opened their Jan. 14 Kia Forum concert with a pre-recorded video of Smear wishing Dave Grohl a happy 57th birthday from his couch
- Session veteran Jason Falkner is filling in on guitar while Smear heals
Why it matters: The creative tribute shows how bands keep injured members connected to live shows and fans during recovery.
The Foo Fighters turned a setback into a surprise on Wednesday night, beaming an at-home message from sidelined guitarist Pat Smear to kick off their Los Angeles concert.
Smear’s Injury and Announcement
The band revealed Smear’s accident on Jan. 7 via Instagram. A mock-tabloid cover announced the injury in classic rock-star fashion.
“BREAKING NEWS! In the classic tradition of rockstars having bizarre gardening accidents, Pat Smear has apparently rung in the new year by smashing the s— out of his left foot,” the post read. “This means he’ll unfortunately be missing a few shows while the multiple broken bones in his foot heal.”
They added, “We’ll miss our beloved Pat as much as you will, but we want him fully healed and back on his feet as soon as possible.”
Birthday Tribute at the Kia Forum
When the lights dimmed on Jan. 14, a deep voice announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, a message from Pat Smear.” The crowd then saw Smear’s cast-covered foot propped on a couch before the camera revealed the guitarist himself.
“Happy birthday, Dave, sorry I could not be there,” Smear said to frontman Dave Grohl, who turned 57 that day. He then introduced the band members one by one.
The band walked onstage and Grohl declared, “We’re gonna start this off right. We’re gonna sing one for Pat Smear.” They launched into their 1997 hit “My Hero,” with Grohl shouting, “He’s my hero” midway through.
Temporary Replacement and Tour Plans
While Smear recovers, guitarist Jason Falkner-who has toured and recorded with Beck, St. Vincent, and Jules Shear-is handling his parts.
The Foo Fighters’ next scheduled concert is Jan. 24 in Australia. After that date, the band will pause before resuming a global run from May through September.
According to News Of Losangeles, Smear’s absence is expected to last only a few performances.
