Foo Fighters Send the Love Ride Off Into the Sunset

It was a fitting tribute to the Love Ride’s grand finale that Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl fashioned his now-famous throne after a giant Harley Davidson. The Foo Fighters headlined the day-long charitable motorcycle ride and concert, winding down their extensive US tour at Castaic Lake, Calif. and bringing the 32nd and final Love Ride to an epic close.

Grohl rocked out like a king on his throne, which was adorned with a wheel and handlebars for the occasion, and he didn’t let the broken leg that necessitated the giant seat stand in his way.

“I find it completely f—ing natural to be playing on a throne,” Grohl told the crowd. “We modified it for the Love Ride so we did it right.”

Earlier in the day, thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts gathered at the Harley Davidson dealer in Glendale, Calif. and rode 50 miles north to Castaic Lake, where the Foo Fighters and Social Distortion performed for throngs of denim-and-leather-clad bikers and other music fans who drove in on more traditional four-wheeled vehicles to check out the action.

Event organizers seemed unprepared for the hordes that descended onto the lake recreation area and the hotter-than-expected weather, and ran out of beer mid-day. Thankfully, the Foo Fighters’ good-natured attitude and can-do spirit kept the thirsty throngs at bay.

Grohl and co breezed through several hits including "The Pretender,” “This Is a Call” and “Best of You,” and interspersed their own tunes with classic rock songs from the likes of Queen, the Rolling Stones and Tom Petty.

Those expecting big-name guests to join the Foos on stage as they did during several previous stops on the band’s Sonic Highways tour may have been disappointed, although they did invite Ratt’s Bobby Blotzer to perform drumming duties on their cover of Queen’s “Tie Your Mother Down,” while Foos drummer Taylor Hawkins enthusiastically sang lead vocals. “The first song I learned to play on the drums was (Ratt’s) ‘Round and Round,’” a stoked Hawkins told the audience.

Grohl dedicated the song “My Hero” to Love Ride founder Oliver Shokouh. “This one’s for my good friend Oliver, who has been doing (the Love Ride) for the last 32 years,” Grohl said. He later added, “I hope we can do it again. I hate to see it end.” The event raised more than $1 million dollars for the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps injured service members and their families transition into life after their injuries, and has raised more than $25 million for various charities since the unique fundraiser began in 1984.

“For 32 years we’ve given to charity by doing what we do best, ride and have fun,” Shokouh said. Celebrities including Grand Marshall Jay Leno, actors Peter Fonda (Easy Rider) and Robert Patrick (Terminator 2) and several cast members from the biker show Sons of Anarchy joined in on the day’s events. “Love Ride combines my passions for motorcycle riding and rock 'n roll, so it was a no-brainer,” Patrick said. “I bought a Harley from Glendale Harley back in 1992, and (owner) Oliver told me about the Love Ride. It made it easy to do something good and support great charities like Wounded Warriors. The motorcycle community is very generous.”

The Foo Fighters concluded their nearly two-hour set with “Everlong.” “This one’s for everyone,” Grohl said, before telling Shokouh he hated to say goodbye. “When you’re ready to get the band back together, give us a call.”