Dave Grohl has always been one of the most open-minded musicians in rock. Whether he’s behind the drums or front and center with a guitar, he never seems afraid to jump into new sounds, new styles, or new collaborations. And over the years, he’s played with some truly legendary names — from former Beatles to members of Led Zeppelin.
But even someone as fearless as Grohl has a few places where he draws the line.
A Musician With Endless Range
One reason Grohl is such a popular collaborator is because he can do just about anything. His drumming alone made rock history when he joined Nirvana, and his thunderous, Bonham-inspired style turned so many heads that almost any rock musician would gladly call him for a session.
He’s worked with Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Tenacious D, and countless others. Even when the music is silly — like Tenacious D’s songs about wild adventures and over-the-top jokes — Grohl plays his parts with total seriousness and skill. The man simply doesn’t know how to phone it in.
His Most Comfortable Creative Space
Out of all his collaborations, Grohl always seems especially connected to Queens of the Stone Age. When rock was feeling a bit stale, Josh Homme revived the danger and swagger with albums like Rated R. Grohl loved it so much that he jumped at the chance to play drums on their next record — the now-famous Songs for the Deaf.
To Grohl, this kind of project felt natural. It was heavy, raw, and creative. It made sense for him.
Where He Draws the Line
But not every opportunity feels right, even to someone as open as Grohl. At one point, he even said that if a band like Linkin Park asked him to record with them, he would probably decline.
Not because he disliked them — in fact, Chester Bennington was a huge Nirvana fan — but because it simply didn’t fit the way Grohl approaches music. Linkin Park had a very structured, highly produced style. Grohl prefers things more loose, messy, and lived-in. He needs space to be himself.
He admitted that when Foo Fighters were stressing over deadlines in the studio, his instinct was to say, “Forget this, I’m going to go play with Queens of the Stone Age for a while.” That’s where his heart naturally went.
Different Styles, Different Worlds
Linkin Park’s world was very hands-on — Mike Shinoda often shaped every detail of the sound. Grohl, who has built one of the biggest second acts in rock history, probably wouldn’t enjoy someone telling him how his drums should be played or produced.
So it wasn’t personal. It was simply a case of two talented forces working differently.
Could It Happen Today?
Now, years later, with both Foo Fighters and Linkin Park going through major changes, the idea of Grohl joining them onstage doesn’t seem impossible. Artists evolve, bands evolve, and sometimes unexpected collaborations happen when the timing is right.
Chris Cornell once performed “Crawling” with Linkin Park, proving the band isn’t afraid of crossing genre lines. And let’s be honest — if Dave Grohl ever sat behind the kit for one of their heavier songs, he would absolutely crush it.
In the end, Dave Grohl’s career shows that music is about connection, not rules. He’s open, flexible, and endlessly creative — but he also knows when a project isn’t meant for him. And that balance is exactly what keeps him one of the most respected musicians in the world.