When Josh Freese announced his departure from Foo Fighters earlier this year, fans were left speculating about who would be capable of stepping into the shoes of this seasoned drummer. Fortunately, Dave Grohl and the rest of the band discovered a remarkable replacement in Ilan Rubin, the former drummer for Nine Inch Nails. Rubin’s impressive skills have previously contributed to making rock history on two significant occasions.

This change benefited both parties; Freese returned to Nine Inch Nails, a band he had toured with from 2005 to 2008. In turn, Rubin took over Freese’s role in NIN back in 2009, establishing a remarkable 16-year tenure with the group.

How Ilan Rubin Achieved Remarkable Milestones in Rock History — Twice

By the time he joined Nine Inch Nails, Ilan Rubin had already accumulated over a decade of professional drumming experience. As a child prodigy, he performed with the pop-punk band F.O.N., which graced the stage at Woodstock ’99 on the Emerging Artist Stage. At just 11 years old, Rubin not only made a memorable performance but also earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest musician to ever perform on a Woodstock stage.

READ MORE: How Woodstock ’99 Progressed Into Absolute Chaos

Rubin once again made headlines when he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Nine Inch Nails in 2020. At the age of 32, he achieved the honor of being the youngest inductee in the history of the Rock Hall, surpassing the previous record held by Josh Klinghoffer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who was 33 when inducted in 2012.

Ilan Rubin Values His Rock Hall Induction More Than His Woodstock Performance

Before even reaching middle age, Ilan Rubin has achieved more than many rock musicians could ever dream. However, he holds his Rock Hall induction in much higher regard compared to his early experience at Woodstock as a young teen.

“Playing at Woodstock is something I rarely think about,” he shared with The San Diego Union-Tribune in 2020. “But being 32 and being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is something I genuinely cherish. It’s a proud moment that I will celebrate for the rest of my life.”

READ MORE: The 10 Worst Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Snubs

Rubin also expressed his gratitude to NIN mastermind Trent Reznor for advocating for his induction into the prestigious hall.

“Clearly, Nine Inch Nails is Trent‘s project, and it’s been his vision for a long time,” he noted in 2020. “Yet, there was a flicker of hope that my induction could happen alongside him. When he called me a couple of weeks ago to share the news, it was an incredible moment. I’ve had a bounce in my step ever since!”

Beyond these groundbreaking bands, Ilan Rubin has also collaborated with prominent artists such as Paramore, Lostprophets, Angels & Airwaves, and Danny Elfman. Additionally, he led his own band, The New Regime, where he took on the responsibility of recording all instruments in the studio while also performing vocals and playing guitar during live shows.