|
Few rock guitarists in the 1990s were as groundbreaking as Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello, who incorporated a myriad
of different styles into his own playing. Born in New York City on May 30, 1964, Morello was raised by his mother (who, decades
later, would help create the anti-censorship organization, Parents for Rock & Rap) in Libertyville, IL. As a teenager,
Morello became infatuated with both rock music and politics, as he was almost entirely self-taught on guitar (in fact, he
learned the most about the instrument while practicing up to eight hours a day during a stint at Harvard University, where
Morello majored in political science). Upon graduation, Morello relocated to the Los Angeles area, where he decided to try
and make a career out of music (making ends meet by working for a spell as a California senator's secretary). By the late
'80s, Morello was a member of L.A. rockers Lock Up, who inked a deal with Geffen and issued a lone album, 1989's Something
Bitchin' This Way Comes. When the album sank without a trace upon release, the group broke up.
But Morello already had plans for his next project, which would be more thought-provoking and politically minded (taking
a cue from such respected artists as the Clash and Public Enemy) and harder edged musically. Joined by vocalist/rapper Zack
de la Rocha, bassist Tim Commerford, and drummer Brad Wilk, Rage Against the Machine was born in 1991. Over the course of
a four-album career — 1992's self-titled release (an album which many point to as the trailblazer for the heavy
metal/rap style, inspiring countless other bands in its wake), 1996's Evil Empire, 1999's The Battle of Los Angeles, and 2000's
all-covers Renegades — Rage Against the Machine became one of rock's leading (and confrontational) bands. But rumors
of friction between de la Rocha and the rest of the members continued to persist (stemming from the fact that the frontman
wanted to issue a solo album), and shortly before the release of the fourth album, de la Rocha left the band. Undeterred,
Morello and the rest of the Rage members enlisted the services of former Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, forming the group
Civilian which would later be re-dubbed Audioslave.
In addition to his work with Rage and Audioslave, Morello has lent his playing (and in some cases, production) talents
to recordings by a variety of other artists, including Bone Thugs N' Harmony, the Crystal Method, Perry Farrell, Primus, Puff
Daddy/Jimmy Page, and RUN DMC, as well as collaborating with enigmatic Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley on a cover version
of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)" for the soundtrack of the 1998 film The Faculty.
|
 |
|
