Foo Fighters stars Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins have gotten emotional while talking about depression and the suicides of Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington this year.
In an interview with The Rock FM's Morning Rumble hosts Roger Farrelly and Bryce Casey, the 'Everlong' hitmakers insisted it doesn't matter how rich or popular a person is, depression is a very serious threat to anyone.
"It doesn't matter what's in your bank account or how many hits are on your YouTube page, all that kind of crap all goes out the window if you're not feeling right," says Hawkins.
"If it looks like someone is down - way down - check on them."
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"When it comes to someone like Chris Cornell or Chester - depression is a disease. Everybody goes through it their own way," says Grohl.
"I think that mental health and depression is something that people should really take seriously. There's a stigma attached to it that is unfortunate, because just as you can take care of yourselves in every other way, I think it's important that people really try to take care of themselves in that way too. And it isn't easy, you know, life is hard."
Hawkins says he knew Cornell a little and Bennington not much at all. Grohl, who famously lost his former band mate Kurt Cobain to suicide, had known Cornell for years.
"The hardest part is when you lose a friend. I just always immediately think of their families, their band mates; going through something like suicide, it's a long road," says Grohl.
"Chris was such a beautiful guy, the sweetest person, so talented, he had so much to offer. It was a real shock to hear that he had gone."
"Not to get to hear Chris Cornell make another record is my selfish... we just loved his records. Some of the first stuff me and Dave ever jammed on," says Hawkins.
"I can remember as far back as when I first joined the band, me and you [Grohl] playing Soundgarden riffs together... we would just listen to their records a lot. They were a big inspiration for us as musicians."
If you feel you need help dealing with depression or a difficult time in your life, call Lifeline on 0800 543 354 or the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). Both are available 24/7.
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