Dave Grohl, known for his roles as the lead singer of Foo Fighters and the former drummer of Nirvana, has long held the title of rock and roll’s nice guy.
Though recent events have slightly tarnished his reputation outside the music world, his place in rock history remains secure.
As a prominent voice in the genre, Grohl’s words carry weight, making his thoughts on fellow musicians highly coveted.
Grohl’s appearance on the popular YouTube show Hot Ones was a much-anticipated event, and it didn’t disappoint.
Watching Grohl struggle through the show’s signature lineup of progressively spicier chicken wings while still managing to offer insightful commentary was a sight to behold.
Along the way, he made some surprising revelations, including praising one contemporary artist whom he labeled a “genius.”
For those unfamiliar with Hot Ones, the show is hosted by Sean Evans, who interviews celebrities while they eat increasingly spicy chicken wings.
The intensity of the heat often leads guests to open up in ways they might not in a traditional interview setting.
As a reward for completing the challenge, guests can promote an upcoming project. If they fail, they end up in the show’s infamous “Hall of Shame.”
Before diving into the fiery wings, Grohl kicked off his appearance by making a cocktail, sharing a recipe he learned from the legendary heavy metal band Pantera, whom he referred to as the “most wicked heavy metal band of all time.”
Grohl, an avid fan of the show, revealed that he had been eagerly waiting for his chance to appear.
Reflecting on some of his favorite episodes, Grohl shared, “I love watching it. I thought Billie Eilish did great; she did a good job. Gordon Ramsay just pissed the whole fucking time.” But it was his admiration for another guest that truly stood out.
Grohl gushed about Thundercat, a talented multi-instrumentalist, calling him a “genius.”
Grohl recounted meeting Thundercat at a party: “I met him for the first time about a month ago on the dancefloor. I went up behind him, started coming up around him.
His girlfriend is looking at me, she’s laughing, but he has no idea who it is. Then finally, I spun him around, was right in his face, and he was like, ‘Hey!!!’ I didn’t even mention his music. I just said, ‘Dude, you’re the best episode of Hot Ones I’ve ever seen in my life.’”
Grohl’s admiration didn’t stop there. He continued to heap praise on Thundercat, calling him the “fucking king.”
This declaration of respect is particularly noteworthy given Grohl’s history of admiration for bassists, including Paul McCartney, though he rarely offers such a definitive endorsement of an artist’s talent.
Whether it was Thundercat’s musical genius or his impressive ability to handle hot wings, Grohl’s admiration was clear.
In his unforgettable Hot Ones appearance, Grohl proved once again why he’s a beloved figure in rock music, combining humor, humility, and heartfelt praise for fellow musicians, all while sweating through some seriously spicy wings.
