Who replaced Pat Smear in Foo Fighters after Smear left in 1997?

Pat Smear was replaced by Franz Stahl in Foo Fighters after Smear left the band in 1997.

Smear had joined Foo Fighters as its second guitarist after touring with Nirvana, but he departed during the tour for The Colour and the Shape, citing exhaustion and burnout. Stahl was a natural choice because he had previously played with Dave Grohl in the punk band Scream.

Stahl joined in September 1997 and completed the touring lineup alongside Grohl, Nate Mendel, and newly arrived drummer Taylor Hawkins. He also appeared on Foo Fighters recordings connected with film soundtracks, including the re-recorded version of “Walking After You” and “A320.”

A common mix-up is Chris Shiflett, who became the band’s guitarist later. Stahl left before the recording of There Is Nothing Left to Lose, which Foo Fighters made as a trio before hiring Shiflett for live work.