The current members of Foo Fighters are Dave Grohl (lead vocals, guitar), Nate Mendel (bass), Pat Smear (guitar), Chris Shiflett (guitar), Rami Jaffee (keyboards) and Ilan Rubin (drums). Grohl founded the band in Seattle in 1994, and Mendel has been with him since 1995. Rubin is the newest member. He became the drummer in 2025, after Josh Freese’s spell from 2023 to 2025.
Grohl started Foo Fighters to release solo material after Nirvana, in which he was the drummer, disbanded in 1994. He recorded the band’s first album mostly alone, and after the songs drew label interest he recruited Mendel, William Goldsmith and Smear. Here is each current member, with roles and years as the band’s member list gives them.
Dave Grohl (1994–present)
Lead vocals and guitar. Grohl is the founder and the only member who has been in the band since 1994. He joined Nirvana as its drummer in 1990.
Nate Mendel (1995–present)
Bass since 1995, and backing vocals since 2023. Mendel came from Sunny Day Real Estate and was one of the first musicians Grohl brought in.
Pat Smear (1995–1997, 2010–present)
Guitar. Smear had played with Nirvana on tour before joining Foo Fighters in 1995. He left in 1997, appeared often with the band as a session and touring musician from 2005, and returned as a full member in 2010.
Chris Shiflett (1999–present)
Guitar and backing vocals since 1999, after Franz Stahl was fired.
Rami Jaffee (2016–present)
Keyboards. Jaffee, formerly of the Wallflowers, was a session and touring musician with the band from 2005 to 2016 before becoming a full member in 2016.
Ilan Rubin (2025–present)
Drums and backing vocals since 2025. Rubin is the band’s fourth official drummer, after William Goldsmith, Taylor Hawkins and Josh Freese.
Former Foo Fighters Members
- William Goldsmith, drums (1995–1997). He quit during the recording of The Colour and the Shape.
- Franz Stahl, guitar and backing vocals (1997–1999).
- Taylor Hawkins, drums (1997–2022) and backing vocals (2006–2022). He was in the band until his death in 2022.
- Josh Freese, drums (2023–2025).
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is the drummer for Foo Fighters now? Ilan Rubin, since 2025.
- Is Josh Freese still in Foo Fighters? No. He was the drummer from 2023 to 2025.
- Who founded Foo Fighters? Dave Grohl, in 1994, after Nirvana disbanded.
- Which Foo Fighters member was in Nirvana? Dave Grohl was Nirvana’s drummer, and Pat Smear played with Nirvana on tour.
See also the complete list of Nirvana band members, the current members of Pearl Jam and the complete list of Soundgarden band members.
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