It isn't ever easy to see a beloved artistic creator away, especially if it feels like their demise happened before their time. No one in this life is immune to such a potentially tragic outcome, sadly, no matter their job, fame, or standard of living. When public figures are involved, however, there's naturally a greater level of attention to the circumstances. Look no further than phenomena like the 27 Club as an example of how we so heavily scrutinize the deaths of celebrities.

This also makes some sense, specifically through the lens of how deeply we hold onto and cherish the impactful art many of these creatives give us. This is especially true of music, which is commonly associated with both the emotional state of mind and the powerful purpose of memory.

So, when one of those masters of melody is lost, it can be a very personally affecting experience, something that resonates with the feelings of both fans and the famous alike. Thankfully, there are lovingly handled tributes of remembrance that can bridge the gap between what both sides are experiencing, such as that which Def Leppard put on with the help of one famed pop star.

Def Leppard & Miley Cyrus Played "Photograph" In Taylor Hawkins' Honor

A Salute To The Fallen Drummer of The Foo Fighters

On March 25th, 2022, fans of the rock group the Foo Fighters were devastated to learn that the band's drummer of the last 25 years, 50-year-old Taylor Hawkins, had died suddenly, not long before the Foo Fighters were scheduled to play a music festival in Colombia. It's unknown exactly what led to his demise, just that he was sadly found unresponsive in his hotel room and was unable to be revived. A wave of heartbroken remembrances rolled in for Hawkins, from both his fans and his many rock and roll friends.

Later that year, a six-hour tribute concert was held in Los Angeles for Hawkins. The list of acts included Alanis Morissette (whom Hawkins got his big break drumming for before the Foo Fighters), Hawkins' side project The Coattail Riders, Queens of the Stone Age, P!nk, Kesha, and Miley Cyrus with Def Leppard. Cyrus had a personal connection with Hawkins, as they had once been neighbors in LA. In a post to social media, she referred to him as "my friend, my idol," and said living next to him had been some of the most fun times of her life.

The night of the tribute show, Cyrus chose to perform Def Leppard's 1983 hit song "Photograph" with the band as another personal nod to Hawkins. In that same social media post the day after the concert, she revealed that Hawkins had left her a voicemail message prior to his death recommending that she cover the song, because he thought Cyrus would "kill it." She called it "a request from the legend himself," and it's easy to see why Hawkins ed on the idea.

This Performance Proves Why Hawkins Wanted It To Happen So Badly

Cyrus Goes And Slays The Moment

For many listeners, the name Miley Cyrus likely brings to mind her television/singing origins as Hannah Montana, or her early pop-leaning roots with singles like "Party in the U.S.A." and "Wrecking Ball." Throughout her career, however, Cyrus has genuinely shown artistic growth and a desire to open up her sound, with forays into the country, hip-hop, R&B, and rock genres. Despite some of her controversies over the years, Cyrus has proven that it's her voice, not the boundary-pushing drama, that's the true talent here.

Take this performance of "Photograph," for instance, where Cyrus shows she can hang alongside a vocalist like Def Leppard's Joe Elliott. Not only can she sing, but she can belt like a rocker, with a gristling, energetic, expansively flinty rasp that pairs up alongside riffing solos and booming percussion like peanut butter and jelly. Taylor Hawkins had it right: Cyrus absolutely kills her part on this song, with the only downside being she's not heard enough on this performance of Def Leppard's "Photograph." She could cut this in-studio and have it charting in no time if she wanted to.

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  Def Leppard

  Date of Birth

  1977

  Active

  Yes

  Number of Albums

  12

  ​Emerging from Sheffield in 1977, a British rock band became a cornerstone of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Their albums "Pyromania" and "Hysteria" achieved monumental success, each selling over 10 million copies in the U.S., solidifying their status among rock legends. Known for melodic hooks and anthemic choruses, they continue to influence generations.

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  Miley Cyrus

  Birthdate

  November 23, 1992

  Birthplace

  Franklin, TN

  Height

  5'5''

  Instagram

  https://www.instagram.com/mileycyrus/

  Professions

  Singer, Actor

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