In more proof that Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl is a class act, an 11-year-old girl who challenged the rock star to a drum battle last year has finally had the chance to perform with the band on stage.
Nandi Bushell, from Ipswich, posted a cover of “Everlong” by the US band to YouTube in August 2020, in which she decided to call out the former Nirvana drummer.
“Mr Grohl I would love to have a drum battle with you,” she wrote in the video’s description.
Responding to the challenge, Grohl said he had received “at least 100 texts from people all over the world” about Nandi’s video.
“I’ve seen all your videos ... You’re an incredible drummer. I’m really flattered that you picked some of my songs to do for your videos, and you’ve done them all perfectly,” he said.
He went on to task Bushell with covering “Dead End Friends” by Them Crooked Vultures – for which Grohl was the band’s drummer – adding, “the ball is in your court”.
For Bushell, it was challenge: accepted.
Just days after posting that video, she released her take on the chosen song, in an upload which now has more than 3 million views on the social media platform.
“So we went back and forth with this drum battle and it got to the point where… sometimes you just have to concede defeat,” Grohl told The Late Show’s Stephen Colbert in November.
Earlier that same month, the pair finally met on a Zoom call, in which Grohl invited Bushell to play with his band once restrictions had eased.
He said: “I have a question: when the Foo Fighters finally come back to the UK, do you think that you would get up on stage and jam with us?”
“Yes, definitely,” Bushell replied.
Now, it’s finally happened, with the youngster uploading a video on Friday showing her rocking out duringFoo Fighters’ performance The Forum in Los Angeles. She was invited on stage to play “Everlong” with the group, of course.
“It happened! It was EPIC! Thank you so much @foofighters! I had the best night ever jamming with you @TheForum! Thank you so much Mr Grohl and Taylor [Hawkins],” she tweeted.
Twitter fans heaped praise on the young drummer, with users describing it as a “wonderful” performance:
YOU DID IT NANDI!!!!! 🤘🏽🤘🏼🤘🏾🤘🏿🤘🏻
— YouTube (@YouTube) August 27, 2021
You F’n rock kid! You are amazing. BTW the rest of the Foos are pretty good too. pic.twitter.com/DyzZCk0Wda
— Hamplease (@Hamplease1) August 27, 2021
Twirling the sticks like a CHAMP!! Amazing job last night @Nandi_Bushell!! And the @foofighters were pretty solid as well. #foosforum pic.twitter.com/sHW6qoq2vw
— SprlPrl (@SperlPearl) August 27, 2021
Jamming? That was not jamming. That was u hammering the crap out of those drums to one of the most iconic rock songs of the last 25 years. In a world full of wrong and sadness, watching that had made my day! You have some unbelievable talent.
— Phil Charlton (@PhilCharlton2) August 27, 2021
Pure joy...looks so well deserved. Love it!! Congratulations on this moment in time ❤️
— Shelley Ware (@ShelleyWare) August 27, 2021
You killed it. Just awesome. pic.twitter.com/b0praY02Rl
— Eric (@OCkingpin) August 27, 2021
So glad this finally happened. You rocked it!!! You are an incredible young lady and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you. I see nothing but greatness! ❤
— MFaustian (@MFaustian) August 27, 2021
THIS is absolute soul-soaring greatness!!!!! My favourite Foos song of all time and I’m choked up watching you do your thing and listening to your Dad screaming! Just incredible 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
— Aimée Chorley (@AimeeChorley) August 27, 2021
Nandi, my son and I were there!!! You were amazing and the epitome of a rock star. I can’t wait to see all that you do. You were a joy to watch (and to rock out to). Your facial expressions were rad. Thanks for bringing it and creating a memory for all who were there! #RockOn
— CalDogster (@CalDogster) August 27, 2021
I was there and when you walked out I have to admit you looked a little stunned. But once you started playing the nerves disappeared. You killed it and I loved that Taylor just let you at it. Congratulations, it was epic!!!! Glad I got to be there to see you and Dave together
— Jeniene (@JenieneC) August 27, 2021
Keep on rocking, Nandi.
