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Tom Morello

Tom Morello
Morello performing as The Nightwatchman in May 2006
Morello performing as The Nightwatchman in May 2006
Background information
Birth nameThomas Baptist Morello
Also known asThe Nightwatchman
Born (1964-05-30) May 30, 1964 (age 59)
New York City, U.S.
OriginLibertyville, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • political activist
Instrument(s)
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Years active1979–present
Labels
Member of
Formerly of

Thomas Baptist Morello (born May 30, 1964) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and political activist. He is best known for his tenure with the rock bands Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave. Between 2016 and 2019, Morello was a member of the supergroup Prophets of Rage. Morello was also a touring musician with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.[4] Under the moniker the Nightwatchman, Morello released his solo work. Together with Boots Riley, he formed Street Sweeper Social Club. Morello co-founded Axis of Justice, which airs a monthly program on Pacifica Radio station KPFK (90.7 FM) in Los Angeles.

Born in Harlem, New York, and raised in Libertyville, Illinois, Morello became interested in music and politics while in high school. He attended Harvard University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Committee on Degrees in Social Studies. After his previous band Lock Up disbanded, Morello met Zack de la Rocha. The two founded Rage Against the Machine, going on to become one of the more popular and influential rock acts of the 1990s.

He is best known for his unique and creative guitar playing style, which incorporates feedback noise, unconventional picking, and tapping, as well as heavy use of guitar effects. Morello is known for his socialist political views and activism; creating the Nightwatchman offered an outlet for his views while playing apolitical music with Audioslave. He was ranked number 18 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of greatest guitarists of all time.[5] As a member of Rage Against the Machine, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.

  1. ^ Prato, Greg. "Tom Morello biography". AllMusic. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  2. ^ Harvilla, Rob (May 30, 2019). "Tom Morello, the Last Rap-Rock God Standing". The Ringer. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d Sun, Kevin (May 25, 2011). "Tom Morello – Musician". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  4. ^ "Exclusive: Tom Morello on Touring and Recording with Bruce Springsteen". Ultimate Classic Rock. January 10, 2014.
  5. ^ "The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Rolling Stone. October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.