The Tragic Real-Life Story Of Rage Against The Machine

Rap-rock may have died out since its heyday in the '90s, but one of the bands that successfully combined the counter-culture and revolutionary roots of rap and rock sounds was Rage Against The Machine. The band's deep lyrics written by Zach de la Rocha and signature sound led by the unique guitar stylings of Tom Morello touched on many of the social and political issues still relevant today. During their nine-year run in the '90s, they produced some of the most thought-provoking albums in music history. But the story of this revolutionary band is also riddled with tragedy, controversy, and painful departures. Here are the tragic real-life details of Rage Against the Machine.

#RageAgainstTheMachine #Tragic #Music

Zack de la Rocha experienced racism | 0:00
Tom Morello's political awakening | 1:31
Tim Commerford's childhood tragedy | 2:56
Morello struggled after college | 3:44
Banned from SNL | 4:26
Police disrupted shows | 5:20
A painful departure | 6:37
Creatively restless | 7:58
Censorship and a misunderstood message | 9:02
Reunion and protests | 10:06
Disrupted reunion | 11:15

[GrungeHQ]

Were you looking forward to RATM's 2020 shows before they were postponed?

[InsomniacRocker]

Tom Morello: Male Stripper, Harvard student, 1990's worldwide guitar legend. What a guy!

[marmap]

Mary Morello, was my favorite high school teacher at LHS in Libertyville, IL. She was a fantastic teacher who, had a passion for her work and I loved to listen to her personal stories. I remember her talking about her son who, was a toddler at the time and I think that she had been married to a Kenyan but was separated by then. Being young and white - and growing up in that totally white village, I knew nothing of racism or prejudice. I had no idea that she or Tom had been treated so badly. I have the fondest memories of her and often think of her even after 50 years.

[milesclay]

I loved how a random fan on social media was like wait RATM is political??? I'm disappointed 🤬. And Tom Morello was like what songs of ours aren't political 🤣 like bruh what machine do you think they're raging against.

[supertrooper]

Just saw them in DC. Even with a broken leg, Zack killed it. Tom, Tim and Brad didn’t miss a beat. RATM forever.

[pappasthomas]

Whatever happens, ratm will always be one of the best bands in music history. Their music is pure gold.

[ihwork]

I don't care what anyone says I love their music.

[shannonnunn]

Me and my buddies ditched school and drove four hours to see them in concert... We were kids moshing with football players twice our size and held our ground... Bless them...

[nelsonrc]

Their story tells less like a tragedy and more like a brave rise of voices calling for justice.

[kimwelch]

I drove 2 hours 7 days after giving birth to my daughter in 2007 to see them!!! Best concert of my life, hands down.

[pysaucedo]

“There is no form of  protest against racism that is acceptable to racists” - Bernice King

[pierrematapo]

Tradegy?!
Their music is relevant and timeless/era less!
More like a prodigal success 🎼🎶🎧🎵😎💯

[thomasvittetoe]

Damn we could use a band like this right now

[chaosoutoforder]

Their first album is more relevant than ever these days

[tonyduncan]

I'm a Welsh fan. I had no idea of the nationality of the performers, and didn't need to know. Their ART is fantastic, and I mean REALLY GREAT.

[pysaucedo]

A lot of what they speak on is still reflected today sadly. I'm just glad we have them ❤

[maninthemiddleground]

Bass Guitarist Commerford got a degree “BA Social Studies” in short “BASS” 😅

Apologies ... I noted I morello initially in this comment corrected this now.

[InsomniacRocker]

I used to play along with Battle for Los Angeles on guitar when I was a young teenager... used to imagine myself playing RATM songs with a band on the roof of my house blasting out over the neighborhood! haha good times. One of the first albums I ever owned, which was a big deal back then (I sound old).

[tommoore]

This story isn't very tragic...more like powerful and inspiring! RATM 4eva ✊🏼

[rulerX]

Its a shame... i wish they would get together now because we need them. Everybody forgot what they already knew