Legendary rock band reveals they’re retiring from touring saying ‘we’ll never play live again’
THEY were one of the most ferocious live bands to crack the mainstream in the 90s.
With their politically-charged lyrics and huge riffs, Rage Against the Machine quickly stood out from the alt-rock crowd.
But three decades after their breakthrough self-titled debut album was released, the band has revealed it will never play live again.
In a shocking statement, drummer Brad Wilk wrote: “I want to let you know that RATM (Tim, Zack, Tom and I) will not be touring or playing live again.
“I’m sorry for those of you who have been waiting for this to happen. I really wish it was.”
The band last played in August 2022 at Madison Square Garden, New York – a month after frontman Zack de la Rocha injured his leg on stage in Chicago.
The anterior cruciate ligament tear forced Zack to fulfil remaining tour dates while seated, a far cry from his usual energetic presence.
Months later, the band’s bassist Tim Commerford revealed he was living with prostate cancer and had had his prostate removed before the band’s final tour.
Rage’s future remained up in the air throughout last year, with guitarist Tom Morello saying in March: “If there are Rage shows, if there are not Rage shows, you’ll hear from the band.
“I do not know. When there is news, it will come from a collective statement from the band. There is no news.”
Classic rock super-fan Tom was the only member of the band to attend its induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later in the year.
The notoriously anti-establishment group had differing views on the honour, with Morello saying in his acceptance speech: “I am deeply grateful for the musical chemistry I’ve had the good fortune to share with Brad Wilk, Tim Commerford, and Zack de la Rocha.
“Like most bands, we have differing perspectives on a lot of things, including being inducted into the Rock Hall. My perspective is that tonight is a great opportunity to celebrate the music and the mission of the band—to celebrate the fifth member of the band, which is Rage Against the Machine’s incredible fans.
“The only reason we are here and the best way to celebrate this music is for you to carry on that mission and that message.”
The band released three commercially successful albums in the 90s, before going on hiatus after the 2000 release of cover album Renegades.
They have regrouped intermittently since then, with their first comeback tour, featuring a slew of UK festival dates, coming in the late noughties, though no new music followed.
Famously in 2009, the band’s classic expletive-laden track Killing In The Name broke The X Factor’s four year stranglehold on the Christmas number one position following a fan-led petition.