There have been numerous incidents on stage over the years, ranging from minor mishaps to more serious accidents.
From Patti Smith breaking vertebrae in 1977 to Steven Tyler’s fall in 2009 resulting in head and neck injuries, musicians have faced their share of challenges.
In a similar vein, Mudvayne’s Chad Gray took a tumble off the stage during a performance of “Not Falling” in 2022.
However, one incident that stands out is the night when Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters fell off the stage.
The event took place during the Sonic Highways World Tour on June 12, 2015, in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Ullevi, the venue hosting the concert, has seen the likes of Michael Jackson, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, and Elton John.
With 52,000 fans in attendance, Foo Fighters started off strong with “Everlong” before the unexpected incident occurred during “Monkey Wrench,” causing a brief halt in the show.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the severity of Grohl’s injury, he assured the crowd that the show would go on.
With a potential broken leg, Grohl promised the audience that the Foo Fighters would return to finish the performance after his hospital visit.
The band continued playing with Taylor Hawkins leading on drums, transitioning into songs like “Cold Day in the Sun” and “Stay with Me.”
During a cover of Queen’s “Under Pressure,” Grohl made a dramatic comeback on stage with his leg wrapped, expressing his determination to play through the pain.
Despite being unable to walk or run, Grohl declared he could still play guitar and sing, receiving an enthusiastic response from the crowd.
Grohl later recounted his experience between the fall and his return, including the doctor quickly resetting his dislocated ankle backstage.
Determined to continue the show, Grohl insisted the doctor accompany him on stage to hold his ankle in place while he performed.
The band carried on, delivering a mix of original tracks and covers despite the challenging circumstances.
As the performance progressed to “My Hero,” Grohl rose to his feet on one leg with crutches, displaying resilience and humor by declaring it might be the best night of the tour.
Embracing the situation, Grohl expressed gratitude to those who assisted him during his injury before concluding the show from a chair on stage.
Following the incident, several shows were canceled or postponed, including prominent venues like Wembley Stadium and Glastonbury Festival.
Grohl’s innovative solution to perform seated led to the creation of a throne made from guitars and a giant Foo Fighters logo.
This makeshift throne became a signature element of subsequent performances until Axl Rose took up a similar concept after his own injury.
In a playful turn of events in 2018, Foo Fighters returned to Gothenburg and staged an elaborate prank on the audience.
Grohl’s “stunt double” took a staged tumble off the runway, only for the real Grohl to surprise the crowd by appearing on stage, kicking off the concert in a memorable and light-hearted manner.
