Tom Morello
Few rock guitarists in the 1990s were as groundbreaking as Tom Morello, who incorporated myriad styles into his own playing, which spread across a number of bands and solo projects into the 21st century. His trademark style -- elastic slapping, atmospheric distortion, and effects that resembled turntable scratching -- was a crucial component of Rage Against the Machine's rap-metal sonic attack in the late '90s, helping launch Morello and the band to Grammy-winning, multi-platinum success. After that influential outfit took an indefinite hiatus in 2000, Morello's signature guitar could be heard in supergroups Audioslave, Prophets of Rage, and Street Sweeper Social Club. Additionally, Morello is also a vocal political activist and solo artist who performs as the Nightwatchman.
Born in Harlem 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, Illinois. As a teenager, he became infatuated with both rock music and politics, and 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 he 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. With Morellojoined by vocalist/rapper Zack de la Rocha, bassist Tim Commerford, and drummer Brad Wilk, Rage Against the Machine were 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 most confrontational) bands. But rumors of friction between de la Rocha and the rest of the members persisted (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 Ragemembers enlisted the services of former Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, forming the group Civilian, which would later be redubbed Audioslave. Together, the quartet issued a trio of Top Ten albums (Audioslave, Out of Exile, and Revelations) from 2002 to 2006 before disbanding in 2007.
In addition to his work with his primary bands, Morello has lent his playing (and in some cases, production) talents to recordings by a variety of other artists including KRS-One, the Prodigy, Wu-Tang Clan, Cypress Hill, Johnny Cash, Tool, Bruce Springsteen, Primus, and Run-D.M.C.
Few rock guitarists in the 1990s were as groundbreaking as Tom Morello, who incorporated myriad styles into his own playing, which spread across a number of bands and solo projects into the 21st century. His trademark style -- elastic slapping, atmospheric distortion, and effects that resembled turntable scratching -- was a crucial component of Rage Against the Machine's rap-metal sonic attack in the late '90s, helping launch Morello and the band to Grammy-winning, multi-platinum success. After that influential outfit took an indefinite hiatus in 2000, Morello's signature guitar could be heard in supergroups Audioslave, Prophets of Rage, and Street Sweeper Social Club. Additionally, Morello is also a vocal political activist and solo artist who performs as the Nightwatchman.
Born in Harlem 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, Illinois. As a teenager, he became infatuated with both rock music and politics, and 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 he 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. With Morellojoined by vocalist/rapper Zack de la Rocha, bassist Tim Commerford, and drummer Brad Wilk, Rage Against the Machine were 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 most confrontational) bands. But rumors of friction between de la Rocha and the rest of the members persisted (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 Ragemembers enlisted the services of former Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, forming the group Civilian, which would later be redubbed Audioslave. Together, the quartet issued a trio of Top Ten albums (Audioslave, Out of Exile, and Revelations) from 2002 to 2006 before disbanding in 2007.
In addition to his work with his primary bands, Morello has lent his playing (and in some cases, production) talents to recordings by a variety of other artists including KRS-One, the Prodigy, Wu-Tang Clan, Cypress Hill, Johnny Cash, Tool, Bruce Springsteen, Primus, and Run-D.M.C.
