This year's VMAs were a flurry of activity, from a surprise Johnny Depp appearance to a very 'first class' performance by Fergie. But it was the Red Hot Chili Peppers who captured the audience's hearts with their VMA dedication.
The rock band finally cemented their legendary status after being awarded the VMA's highest honor - the Global Icon Award.
Front man Anthony Kiedis, drummer Chad Smith, bassist Flea, and guitarist John Frusciante became the second band ever to receive the award in the US after being debuted in 2021 - that year, the award was taken home by the Foo Fighters, per Billboard.
The award was given to the six-time award winning band after they performed 'Can't Stop' and 'Black Summer'.
Kiedis, 59, said: "I did want to thank the sassy mistress known as MTV for supporting us for 1,000 years and more. But really, really, really I want to thank Flea and John and Chad Smith... for giving me a purpose in my life for the last 40 years. I would've been a free-floating disaster in space if not for these boys, so thank you boys for giving me something to do with my life and love."
It was at that point that Smith, 60, grabbed the microphone for his own impromptu speech, telling the audience: "There's another musical global icon and his name is Taylor Hawkins. I want to dedicate this to Taylor and his family. I love them and I miss him every day, and fly on, Hawk. Fly on, brother."
Taylor Hawkins was the Foo Fighters' drummer who played with the band between 1999-2021. He sadly passed away in March at the age of 50, the Rolling Stone reported.
Smith had also paid homage to the late-rocker earlier in the night, performing with the rest of the band on a drum set emblazoned with Hawkins' name. "Taylor" was written across the bass drum, within an image of a hawk, per Billboard.
This customized drum set was also used by the Chili Peppers rocker in a New Orleans concert in April - mere weeks after Hawkins' death.
The tributes mark the first of several to come for Hawkins, with the Foo Fighters and Hawkins' family holding tribute concerts in London on September 3, and another in Los Angeles on September 27.
