Complete List Of Rage Against The Machine Band Members

Feature Photo: Scott Penner, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Rage Against the Machine was formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1991, consisting of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello, and drummer Brad Wilk. The band operated with this same four-member lineup throughout their entire existence, never having any lineup changes. They had sold over 16 million records worldwide as of 2010 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.

The band released their self-titled debut album in 1992, which peaked at number 45 on the Billboard 200 and was certified triple platinum by the RIAA. The album was ranked number 368 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time in 2003 and was later ranked number 221 in the 2020 update. Their next albums, Evil Empire (1996) and The Battle of Los Angeles (1999), both topped the Billboard 200 chart. Evil Empire was certified triple platinum, while The Battle of Los Angeles was certified double platinum and won the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance for “Guerrilla Radio” at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards. In 2000, they released the cover album Renegades, which reached number 14 on the Billboard 200, and disbanded after growing creative differences. The band won two Grammy Awards total from six nominations.

Zack de la Rocha

Zack de la Rocha was born January 12, 1970, in Long Beach, California. He joined Rage Against the Machine as the lead vocalist when the band formed in 1991 and remained with the group throughout their entire existence. De la Rocha previously played in the bands Headstance, Farside, and Inside Out before forming Rage Against the Machine. He and Tim Commerford met in the sixth grade and grew up in Orange County. His father was involved in Chicano activism, which influenced his political viewpoints that became central to the band’s identity.

De la Rocha performed on all four of Rage Against the Machine’s albums: the self-titled debut (1992), Evil Empire (1996), The Battle of Los Angeles (1999), and Renegades (2000). His signature high-pitched rapping style and furious delivery became defining characteristics of the band’s sound. He was the primary lyricist for the band, writing politically charged lyrics that addressed topics including police brutality, capitalism, and social justice. Songs like “Killing in the Name,” “Bulls on Parade,” and “Guerrilla Radio” showcased his ability to combine rapid-fire political commentary with melodic hooks.

After Rage Against the Machine disbanded in 2000, de la Rocha pursued solo projects. In July 2008, he and drummer Jon Theodore, formerly of the Mars Volta, released an EP as One Day as a Lion. He reunited with his former bandmates for their 2007 reunion performances at Coachella and continued touring with them intermittently through 2024. During their 2022 tour, de la Rocha suffered a leg injury that forced the cancellation of remaining dates.

Tom Morello

Tom Morello was born May 30, 1964, in New York, New York, and was a founding member of Rage Against the Machine in 1991. Morello’s father served as a member of the Mau Mau guerrilla organization that freed Kenya from colonial rule in the 1960s, and his mother, Mary Morello, was a schoolteacher who later founded the anticensorship organization Parents for Rock & Rap. Before moving to Los Angeles, Morello graduated from Harvard University in 1986 with a degree in social studies.

Before Rage Against the Machine, Morello played in a punk band called Lock Up, which released one album through Geffen Records in 1989 before breaking up. As Rage Against the Machine’s lead guitarist, Morello developed an innovative playing style that incorporated unconventional techniques and effects to create sounds resembling turntable scratching, helicopter blades, and other electronic elements. His use of a kill switch, whammy pedal, and feedback manipulation became signature elements of the band’s sound.

Morello performed on all four Rage Against the Machine albums and was instrumental in developing their signature fusion of heavy metal and hip-hop. His guitar work on songs like “Killing in the Name,” “Bulls on Parade,” and “Sleep Now in the Fire” combined heavy metal riffs with experimental techniques that perfectly complemented de la Rocha’s rap-influenced vocals. His solos often sounded more like DJ scratching than traditional guitar playing, which helped establish Rage Against the Machine’s unique sound that influenced countless bands in the rap-rock and nu-metal genres.

Tim Commerford

Tim Commerford, also known as Tim Bob, was born February 26, 1968, in Irvine, California, and was a founding member of Rage Against the Machine in 1991. Commerford was a longtime friend of de la Rocha, having met him in the sixth grade, and their friendship became the foundation for the band’s formation. He served as both bassist and backing vocalist throughout the band’s entire existence.

Commerford’s bass playing provided the rhythmic foundation for Rage Against the Machine’s heavy sound. His style combined elements of funk, metal, and punk, creating driving basslines that supported both Morello’s innovative guitar work and de la Rocha’s vocal delivery. He performed on all four of the band’s albums and contributed backing vocals throughout their catalog. His bass work on tracks like “Bombtrack,” “Know Your Enemy,” and “Testify” demonstrated his ability to create both melodic and percussive bass parts that anchored the band’s political anthems.

Throughout Rage Against the Machine’s career, Commerford was known for his political activism alongside his musical contributions. He participated in numerous protests and benefit concerts with the band, including their famous performance outside the Democratic National Convention in 2000. His bass playing style influenced many musicians in the alternative metal and rap-rock genres, and he remained with Rage Against the Machine through all their reunions and tours until their final disbandment in 2024.

Brad Wilk

Brad Wilk was born September 5, 1968, in Portland, Oregon, and was a founding member of Rage Against the Machine in 1991. Wilk started his career as a drummer for the band Greta in 1990 before joining with Tom Morello, Zack de la Rocha, and Tim Commerford to form Rage Against the Machine. He had previously auditioned for Lock Up, Tom Morello’s previous band, which helped establish their connection.

As Rage Against the Machine’s drummer, Wilk provided the powerful, driving rhythms that anchored the band’s intense sound. His drumming style combined elements of heavy metal, punk, and hip-hop, creating the percussive backbone for the band’s political anthems. He performed on all four studio albums during the band’s existence and was essential to their explosive live performances. His drum work on songs like “Wake Up,” “Freedom,” and “People of the Sun” showcased his ability to create both thunderous power and subtle groove that supported the band’s unique fusion of genres.

Wilk remained with Rage Against the Machine throughout their entire career, including their initial run from 1991 to 2000, their reunion tours starting in 2007, and their final tours through 2024. His drumming style became influential in the development of rap-rock and nu-metal, with many drummers citing his work with Rage Against the Machine as inspiration. He was known for his precise timing and powerful delivery, which helped make Rage Against the Machine one of the most formidable live acts in rock music.