The world of rock and roll could have been deprived of one of its greatest bands had it not been for a ‘random kid’ hitch-hiking in Ireland in the mid-1990s.
That is according to Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, who spoke to Graham Norton about the struggles he went through after the tragic suicide of Kurt Cobain.
The music legend was a guest on Norton’s show and spoke openly about the grief he and his bandmates suffered following the death of their friend.
Grohl was the drummer for rock band Nirvana, who were fronted by the talented Cobain. The band became worldwide stars in the early 90s with powerful anthems such as Smells Like Teen Spirit.
The Ohio rocker said: “In those three-and-a-half years that I was in Nirvana, it was a lifetime.
“You can imagine how much changed in that time not just in music but in the world. It was such a beautiful time, it was like a renaissance, and there was sort of a new, emotional awaking where people felt it was okay to be themselves.”
However, the pressure of stardom took its toll on Cobain, who suffered with depression and drug abuse.
Tragically, he took his own life in 1994 and the band were left heartbroken and lost without their leader.
Grohl reflected on the difficult time and revealed that it was his love of Ireland that helped him get through his grief.
He said: “When it all ended, it was just a matter of trying to figure out how to continue life.
“I wasn’t sure what to do with my life. I couldn’t even listen to music. I didn’t want to turn on the radio, I put my instruments away. It just hurt too much to listen to music.
“So, I thought ‘I’m going to go to one of my favourite places in the world, one of the most remote areas that I can find’ just to go out and soul search and find myself. So, I went to the Ring of Kerry.”
Grohl then explained that a chance encounter with a hitchhiker restored his faith in music and gave him the strength he needed to continue with his career.
He said: “It’s absolutely beautiful. I was driving down this country road and I’m trying to figure out my life and trying to move on, and I see this hitchhiker. He’s in a parka, and it’s kind of maybe raining a little, and as I’m pulling up to him, I think ‘I’m going to pick this kid up’.
“I got closer and closer and I saw that he had a Kurt Cobain t-shirt on and I thought that even in the most remote area I could possibly find, I can’t outrun this thing.
“So, I said ‘okay, I’m going to start over’ and so I started the Foo Fighters.”
The Foo Fighters have gone on to be one of the most respected and loved rock bands of the past 25 years.
Grohl also told a story about his early days in music, and his first steps into the rock industry.
The Foo Fighters singer has always been a fan of Ireland and has previously said that he has the country to thank for being able to walk again after he broke his leg falling from the stage.