Josh Freese lists the Top 10 possible reasons why Foo Fighters sacked him

He was ousted from the band last week

Dave Grohl and Josh Freese in happier times
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 20th May 2025

Former Foo Fighters drummer Josh Freese has listed The Top 10 possible reasons why he was booted out of the band last week.

Foo Fighters fans were shocked last Friday (16th May) when 52-year-old Freese announced he’d been ousted by Dave Grohl and co. after a short two-year tenure.

He wrote at the time: “The Foo Fighters called me Monday night to let me know they've decided "to go in a different direction with their drummer." No reason was given.

“Regardless, I enjoyed the past two years with them, both on and off stage, and I support whatever they feel is best for the band. In my 40 years of drumming professionally, I've never been let go from a band, so while I'm not angry - just a bit shocked and disappointed.

Former Foo Fighters drummer Josh Freese on stage

“But as most of you know, I've always worked freelance and bounced between bands so, I'm fine. Stay tuned for my ‘Top 10 Possible Reasons Josh Got Booted From the Foo Fighters’ list.”

True to his word, Freese has now shared those highly tongue-in-cheek reasons why he was fired, which range from trying to get The Offspring’s Noodles recruited as Foo Fighters’ fourth guitarist, to whistling ‘My Hero’ for a solid week on tour.

The Top 10 Possible Reasons Josh Got Booted From the Foo Fighters:

  1. Once whistled "My Hero" for a week solid on tour.
  1. Could only name one Fugazi song.
  1. Two words: polyrhythms
  1. Metronome-like precision behind the kit deemed "soulless."
  1. Demanded starting every rehearsal with a 20-minute cowbell sound bath.
  1. Never even once tried growing a beard.
  1. Didn't show up to studio because Mercury was in retrograde.
  1. Promised Noodles he could be 4th guitarist.
  1. Refused to perform unless he was guaranteed a Ouija board and nun chucks after every show.
  1. The whole poodle thing was getting to be a bit much.

Foo Fighters are yet to comment on Josh Freese’s firing and earlier today (20th May) they announced more 2025 live shows in Japan and Indonesia this October.

The concerts are in addition to Foo Fighters’ previously announced headline slot at the F1 Singapore Grand Prix concert series this autumn.

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Alex Lifeson’s real name: Alexandar Živojinović

'Lifeson' is a semi-literal English translation of the Yugoslavian surname Živojinović, which means 'son of life'

Ginger Baker's real name: Peter Edward Baker


John 5’s real name: John William Lowery


Yngwie Malmsteen’s real name: Lars Johann Yngwie Lannerback


Rudy Sarzo’s real name: Rodolfo Maximiliano Sarzo Lavieille Grande Ruiz Payret y Chaumont


Eric Carr's real name: Paul Charles Caravello


Vinnie Vincent’s real name: Vincent John Cusano


Tina Turner’s real name: Anna Mae Bullock


King Diamond’s real name: Kim Bendix Petersen


Joey Tempest's real name: Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson


Michael Monroe’s real name: Matti Antero Kristian Fagerholm


Mikkey Dee’s real name: Micael Kiriakos Delaoglou


Jonathan Cain’s real name: Jonathan Leonard Friga


Nikki Sixx's real name: Frank Ferrano


Steven Adler’s real name: Michael Coletti


Axl Rose's real name: William Bruce Rose


Bon Scott's real name: Ronald Belford Scott


Fish’s real name: Derek William Dick


Eddie Vedder's real name: Edward Louis Severson III


Peter Criss’ real name: George Peter John Criscuola


Freddie Mercury's real name: Farrokh Bulsara


Flea's real name: Michael Peter Balzary


Perry Farrell's real name: Perry Bernstein


Geddy Lee’s real name: Gary Lee Weinrib


Mick Mars' real name: Robert Deal


Tré Cool's real name: Frank Edwin Wright III


Courtney Love's real name: Courtney Michelle Harrison


Pat Smear's real name: Georg Albert Ruthenberg


Gene Simmons' real name: Chaim Klein Witz


Spike’s real name: Jonathan Gray


Iggy Pop's real name: James Newell Osterberg, JR.


Alice Cooper's real name: Vincent Damon Furnier


Slash's real name: Saul Hudson


Mike Dirnt's real name: Michael Ryan Pritchard


Ronnie James Dio's real name: Ronald James Padavona


Brody Dalle's real name: Bree Joanna Alice Robinson


Skin's real name: Deborah Anne Dyer


Nicky Wire's real name: Nicholas Jones


Amy Lee's real name: Amy Lynn Hartzler


Bill Wyman's real name: William Perks


Izzy Stradlin's real name: Jeffrey Isbell


Paul Stanley's real name: Stanley Eisen


Vince Neil's real name: Vincent Neil Wharton


Duff McKagan's real name: Michael McKagan


Jack Black’s real name: Thomas Jacob Black


Lemmy's real name: Ian Fraser Kilmister


John Paul Jones' real name: John Baldwin


Joan Jett's real name: Joan Larkin


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Ace Frehley's real name: Paul Daniel Frehley


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Marc Bolan's real name: Mark Feld


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Joey Belladonna’s real name: Joseph Bellardini


Jack White's real name: John Anthony Gillis


Bono's real name: Paul David Hewson


Sting's real name: Gordon Sumner


Billy Idol’s real name: William Michael Albert Broad


Geezer Butler’s real name: Terence Butler


Pat Benatar’s real name: Patricia Mae Giraldo


Bo Diddley’s real name: Ellas McDaniel


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Stevie Nicks’ real name: Stephanie Lynn Nicks


Doro’s real name: Dorothee Pesch


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Joe Perry’s real name: Joseph Pereira


Jimi Hendrix’s real name: James Marshall Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix)


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Chris Jericho's real name: Christopher Keith Irvine


Ginger Wildheart's real name: David Leslie Walls


Paul Di'Anno's real name: Paul Andrews


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Peter Green’s real name: Peter Allen Greenbaum


Nicko McBrain’s real name: Michael Henry McBrain


Noddy Holder’s real name: Neville John Holder


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Lexxi Foxx’s real name: Travis Haley


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Elvis Costello’s real name: Declan Patrick McManus


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