Dave Grohl talks about Mommy and Me, and Violet’s birth
In a new interview with Q magazine, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl opens up on a variety of issues, including Violet Maye, his 14-month-old daughter with wife Jordyn. Fatherhood has "changed everything" for Dave, who went on to say that he and Violet "are best friends and hopefully that will last the rest of our lives."
On Violet’s birth: I’d desensitized myself by watching those stupid TV shows with the graphic birth. But I was nervous. It was a sketchy birth because her umbilical cord was around her neck and there were a couple of times when her heartbeat dropped. That’s the most frightened I’ve ever been in my life.
They let you play music while you’re giving birth. We found this CD that was lullaby versions of Beatles songs. The first song was ‘In My Life,’ which we played at Kurt [Cobain]’s memorial. I just felt it coming and I’m like ‘You can’t break down right now man. I’ve got to keep it together for my wife.’ What a song and what a moment and what a memory.
On being a hands-on dad: Jordyn goes to this Mommy and Me class, all of these mothers with all of these babies who are the [same age], she said ‘You know, fathers are welcome.’ Which kind of meant, like, ‘Get your ass to Mommy and Me.’ I was like ‘Alright….’ It’s not Mommy and Daddy and Me!
So the next week I go and it was the first time I’d been in a room with f–king 15 infants. And it was great. But at the end of the class they start singing ‘Puff The Magic Dragon’ and all the mothers are dancing with their babies. And I don’t have a kid, so I’m just [sways around with forced, pleasant smile]…F–king mortifying.
Click ‘continue reading’ for more highlights from the interview.
On changing dirty diapers: You can’t be afraid of shit. That’s the number one rule. And you have to be like a Nascar pit crew. When it’s time to do it, it’s [mimes disposing of a diaper] Tisch! Tisch! — done. And the more fun you make it, the better. Sing a f–king song.
On the difficulties of touring now that he’s a father and a husband: Well, it’s weird, man. Because for years I could pick up and leave home with a backpack and a toothbrush. I didn’t miss anything. I miss people, but I don’t get attached to stuff. And having been on the road since I was 18-years-old, my home is usually just a place to store my shit when I left. But now, I can’t stand to be away.
Source: Foo Archive
Thanks to CBB reader Kelly.
- Posted on Jul 10, 07 at 2:56PM
- Permalink
- 14 Comments
July 10th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
I’m a HUGE fan of the Foo Fighters, and even think my husband looks like a clean-cut version of Dave. I loved this interview because it was very “him”…no PC or censoring there!! It’s also interesting to read how Kurt’s death still affects him. Dave sounds like a genuinely great dad.
July 10th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Sweet, sweet Dave. I love you dearly. A good man, a good father. Love to hear about the family.
July 10th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
He makes me laugh. I can just imagine the mommy & me class.. that would be pretty funny. He’s always had a great sense of humor and he seems like a very dedicated husband and a devoted daddy. I think he will continue to have a great relationship with his daughter and I wish them nothing but the best. *To cute*
July 10th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Wow-He sounds like a rocker daddy!
And being a Nirvana fan, having him sharing that little bit of Kurt’s memorial and relating it to his daughter’s birth broke my heart a bit
Also, that part about Mommy and Me classes was priceless!
I somehow think his wish will come true and he remains best friends with his daughter throughout their lives!
July 10th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
does anyone know the Beatles lullaby CD he refers to?
Missy’s note: I’m not entirely sure, because I found two CDs that feature Beatles ‘lullabies’ but, only ‘Bedtime with the Beatles’ ($13.97, Amazon.com) features the song ‘In My Life’ so that might be it. /
July 10th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
well… it’s always good to see a father holding a baby, it shows a part of him once can not see usualy, long life babies!
July 10th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Yeah, he’s talked about Bedtime With the Beatles before, so that’s probably it.
I love hearing about Dave’s family, he is such a good dad. Last time I saw them play, he dedicated “Everlong” to his little Violet. He has some lucky girls in his life.
July 10th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
I LOVED reading this interview! Dave Grohl has got to be one of the most talented musicians of our time. It’s so cute hearing him speak of fatherhood. And that story about the Mommy & Me class had me cracking up.
July 10th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
I love Nirvana, so I definitely have a soft spot for Dave Grohl. I like what he said about the song played at Kurt’s memorial. He sounds like a sweet dad.
July 10th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Dave is such a nice guy! I didn’t doubt for a moment he’d be a great dad, because he’s such a nice man and a dedicated husband. I love the image of him at Mommy & Me class. reminds me of my own husband’s one time joining our class.
I used to have a friend who dated him years ago and even after they broke up, he let her keep one of his credit cards to charge necessities on (like a refrigerator) that she couldn’t afford otherwise. He never asked to be repayed and never expected anything in return. Just a sweet sweet guy.
July 10th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
aww thats so sweet, i bet hes a amazing dad, and the part about kurt almost made me teary, i love dave hes so funny and he has a great sense of humour with a amazing voice,
July 11th, 2007 at 1:41 am
Wow, that was such a great interview. I loved hearing about the memory he has of Kurt.
Dave Grohl was already high in my books but he just took a couple steps higher.
July 11th, 2007 at 7:12 am
Oh my, how God had it timed that Dave’s daughter was born to the Beatles song dedicated to the memorable moments in people’s lives, and one of the memorable songs from Kurt Cobain’s memorial! That’s certainally something that’ll stick with Dave for a long time.
As far as being invited to join the Mommy & Me class, I think that special invitation was given just because he’s Dave Grohl. (His wife probably just wanted to show off who she’s married to, and I’d imagine that the other mothers wanted to meet him in person too! lol!)
July 13th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
I love the Foo Fighters and Dave especially. That Kurt part was sweet. He sounds a lot like me, having certain things remind him of a loss loved one/friend and get emotional. He’s not alone.
But the parts about Violet, the Mommy and Me class and the diaper changes, he’s hilarious. He sounds like such a great father, too.