Tom Morello Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Tom Morello has joined the chorus of stars defending Meg White, calling her “one of the greatest drummers in the history of rock n roll”.The White Stripes drummer has been at the centre of a debate in recent days after journalist Lachlan Markay called her “terrible” and suggested the band would have fared better “with a half decent drummer”.Numerous musicians and fans rushed to White’s defence online, with the Rage Against The Machine guitarist now joining them. “I hear there’s some controversy on this matter lately so let me set fools straight: #MegWhite is one of the greatest drummers in the history of rock n roll,” Morello wrote on Instagram.“It’s not even a debate.

Foo Fighters have paid tribute to their late drummer Taylor Hawkins on what would have been his 51st birthday.Hawkins was found dead in a hotel room in Bogota, Colombia in March 2022 while Foo Fighters were on tour in the country.The band lead the tributes to Hawkins, tweeting a black-and-white photo of him accompanied by the caption: “Miss you so much.”Miss you so much. pic.twitter.com/rpyYyf93O3— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) February 17, 2023In Hawkins’obituary, NME wrote: “Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello, and many others, praised Taylor’s “spirit” in their tributes, and that’s how he’ll be most remembered – as the epitome not just of Foo Fighters’ celebratory attitude to rock’n’roll but the exhilaration of musical fandom too.

APPOINTMENTSSony Music UK has hired DJ and producer Anton Powers as Head Of A&R at Ministry Of Sound Records. “I’m a huge fan of what Ministry Of Sound has done over the years and it’s an honour to come in as Head of A&R, be working with the amazing team and getting stuck in on lots of exciting projects”, he says.————————————————–RELEASESNoel Gallagher and those High Flying Birds of his are going to release a new album called ‘Council Skies’ on 2 Jun. “It’s going back to the beginning”, says Gallagher of the record.

APPOINTMENTSUniversal Music’s Republic Records in the US has promoted Beau Benton to SVP Media & Operations. “It’s been such a pleasure working with Beau every day for the last ten years”, says EVP Media & Artist Relations, Joseph Carozza. “As a colleague and as a friend, I’ve had a front row seat to his media expertise, his love and commitment to artists and the team, and his infectious energy”.Artist management firm UROK has hired Tayla Dhyll as Head Of Audience and Sophie Lane as Senior Artist Manager.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Joe Manganiello, the actor who moonlights as a “Dungeons & Dragons” official ambassador, will direct a documentary about the popular tabletop fantasy game with Kyle Newman. The film, backed by Hasbro and eOne, is billed as “the definitive documentary feature about the world’s greatest roleplaying game” and is timed to the 50th anniversary of “Dungeons & Dragons” in 2024. In addition to co-directing the untitled film, Manganiello will serve as a producer with his brother Nick Manganiello, Anthony Savini and Cecily Tyler. Tara Long and Geno McDermott are executive producing for eOne alongside leading “Dungeons & Dragons” scholar Jon Peterson, Adam F. Goldberg and Newman.

Slipknot guitarist Jim Root has criticised the “backwards” message of Rage Against The Machine‘s classic protest song ‘Killing In The Name’.The explicit, politically-charged single was released back in 1992, and features on RATM’s self-titled debut album. It was written about the abuses of power and issues within US society.Back in 2020, guitarist Tom Morello said that the track’s “Fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me” chant remains a “universal sentiment” despite its simplicity.

Rage Against The Machine on their current North American reunion tour.As Stereogum notes, posts on social media indicate that the US restaurateur and TV presenter was in attendance at Rage’s recent gigs in Cleveland (July 27), Pittsburg (29) and Raleigh (31).A clip of Fieri holding a drink and a cigar in the crowd at the Pittsburg show has since gone viral online. He was also pictured with support act Run The Jewels at the Cleveland date before appearing on the big screen in Raleigh during ‘Killing In The Name’.Fieri has been documenting his experience on Twitter.

Tom Morello has praised the guitar playing of a 10-year-old boy called Ludovick Tshiswaka after watching him play.The Rage Against The Machine guitarist took to Twitter to praise the youngster, who is a Brazilian-Congolese musician and producer whose cover videos on Instagram and YouTube help to showcase his skills.Morello said of the clips that they were “some of the best guitar playing” he’s heard recently.Morello said: “Well that’s some of the best guitar playing I’ve witnessed in quite some time,” he said, quote-tweeting a clip of Tshiswaka  playing some jazz over a backing track.Well that’s some of the best guitar playing I’ve witnessed in quite some time https://t.co/Fy41xp7Csh— Tom Morello (@tmorello) July 29, 2022Morello has previously shown his support for ten-year-old drumming sensation Nandi Bushell who jammed with him and his son Roman.Last year, Nandi shared a video of her playing drums alongside the pair. In the clip, Morello and his son can be seen playing guitar.“Jamming with legendary #guitarist @tommorello (from @rageagainstthemachine / #audioslave) and his #incredible son, Roman,” wrote Nandi on Instagram.“We have written an #Epic song together (not the one you hear in our sweet improvisational jam).

Rage Against The Machine played ‘Born Of A Broken Man’ for the first time in 14 years at their show in Cleveland, Ohio earlier this week – check out the footage below.The band were performing at the city’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse arena on Wednesday night (July 27) as part of their current ‘Public Service Announcement’ North American tour with Run The Jewels.Towards the end of their 18-track set, Rage dusted off ‘Born Of A Broken Man’ from their third studio album ‘The Battle Of Los Angeles’ (1999). It marked the track’s first live outing since 2008, per Setlist.FM.You can watch a fan-shot video of the performance here:Elsewhere in the show, RATM once again teamed up with their tour mates Run The Jewels to play a joint rendition of ‘Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck)’.

Rage Against The Machine are currently on tour across North America, their much-delayed first dates in over a decade. This past weekend they played in Toronto, Canada in what turned out to be a more lively show than perhaps they anticipated.

Tom Morello was inadvertently tacked by a security guard during Rage Against The Machine‘s show in Toronto last night (July 23) after a crowd member stormed the stage.The band were performing at the Scotiabank Arena in the Ontario capital as part of their ‘Public Service Announcement’ North American tour, which began on July 9. Prior to this current run of gigs, Rage hadn’t played live since 2011.As fan-shot footage shows, one fan managed to make it up on stage via a set of steps during closing track ‘Killing In The Name’.

Bruce Springsteen is a grandfather!

Instagram to gush over their new “Jersey Girl,” posting a photo of Lily Harper Springsteen, the daughter of their youngest son, Sam.She shared a black-and-white shot of the newborn’s carriage with Sam, a Jersey City firefighter, and his fiancee smiling behind it.A second photo showed the new bundle of joy wearing pink teddy-bear shaped mittens and a pink hat, still donning her hospital bracelet.

Chris Cornell by Soundgarden, Rage Against The Machine and the late frontman’s wife Vicky Cornell to mark the fifth anniversary of his death.Cornell took his own life on May 18, 2017. He was 52-years-old.Soundgarden penned a moving post to their late singer on their Instagram page on Tuesday (May 17).“Chris, five years we have missed you, you have love, you have peace, you have eternity. Love and peace for all of Soundgarden’s brothers and sisters,” the band wrote.A post shared by soundgarden (@soundgarden)His widow Vicky also posted a pair of tributes on Cornell’s official Instagram page.“Five years ago tonight, Chris would take the stage for the last time,” she wrote in the first.

Billie Eilish, Bon Iver, Arcade Fire and Brian Eno supporting the cause.Music Declares Emergency (MDE), a group dedicated to guiding the music industry’s response to the global climate and ecological emergency, has launched its US initiative with support from artists who are passionate about the climate crisis.As well as those above, other names pledging their support included The 1975, Major Lazer, The Pretenders, Annie Lennox, Tom Morello, Tom Odell and more. The official MDE US homepage can be found here.Initially started in the UK in 2019, MDE is now also operational in France, Germany, Switzerland, Chile and Canada. It’s gathered over 6000 signatures from across the music industry supporting a declaration that calls for an immediate governmental response to do more to combat climate change.A statement said: “Now, more than ever is the time for the United States to loudly and proactively join the rally to curb and reverse greenhouse gas emissions.“The climate crisis is the greatest challenge of our time, and the power of music should take its place at the forefront of this important movement to create a safer, fairer, more sustainable world.

Grammys host Trevor Noah kicked off a video tribute to recently-deceased Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins with the following words:

Taylor Hawkins has been honoured with a drum circle tribute in his hometown of Laguna Beach – you can see footage below.The Foo Fighters drummer died last month (March 25) at the age of 50. The band announced the news in a statement on social media; no cause of death was given.“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of Taylor Hawkins,” the statement read.

Rush members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have paid tribute to their “musical brother” Taylor Hawkins in a new post.The Foo Fighters drummer died on Friday night (March 25) at the age of 50. The band announced the news in a statement on social media; no cause of death was given.“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of Taylor Hawkins,” the statement read.

Perry Farrell has posted a moving video tribute to Taylor Hawkins, in which he calls the Foo Fighters drummer his “best friend”.The Foo Fighters drummer died on Friday night (March 25) at the age of 50. The band announced the news in a statement on social media; no cause of death was given.“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of Taylor Hawkins,” the statement read. “His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.

Tommy Lee has reflected on talking to Taylor Hawkins shortly before the drummer’s death last week.The Foo Fighters drummer died on Friday night (March 25) at the age of 50. The band announced the news in a statement on social media; no cause of death was given.“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of Taylor Hawkins,” the statement read.

Slash took time during his gig in Orlando, Florida this weekend to pay tribute to his “really close friend” Taylor Hawkins.On Friday night (March 25), Foo Fighters issued a statement confirming that the 50-year-old drummer had died in Bogotá, Colombia. A cause of death was not given.

Elton John dedicated a performance of his 1974 song ‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’ to Taylor Hawkins last night (March 26) at a show in Iowa – watch below.The Foo Fighters drummer died on Friday night (March 25) at the age of 50. The band announced the news in a statement on social media; no cause of death was given.“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of Taylor Hawkins,” the statement read.

Liam Gallagher dedicated a performance of Oasis‘ ‘Live Forever’ to Taylor Hawkins tonight (March 26) at his Teenage Cancer Trust show in London.The Foo Fighters drummer died yesterday (March 25) at the age of 50. The band announced the news in a statement on social media; no cause of death was given.“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of Taylor Hawkins,” the statement read.

Ozzy Osbourne and Ringo Starr have led tributes to “incredible talent” Taylor Hawkins, who has died aged 50. The Foo Fighters drummer’s death was announced on Friday (25 March) by the band, who are currently touring South America. “The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” a statement shared on Twitter read.

Michele Amabile Angermiller The musical community — including rock royals Ozzy Osbourne, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, the band Smashing Pumpkins and Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS — is mourning the death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.Shortly after news broke that Hawkins died in Bogota, Colombia hours before the band was due to take the stage, tributes started pouring in on social media. A beloved fixture in Los Angeles, where he lived, along with the greater touring world, many shared memories and photos of Hawkins behind the kit along with heartfelt words of grief.“@TaylorHawkins was truly a great person and an amazing musician. My heart, my love and my condolences go out to his wife, his children, his family, his band and his fans,” wrote Osbourne on Twitter.

Tom Morello has covered Tom Waits‘ 1999 track ‘Come On Up To The House’ – listen below.The Rage Against The Machine guitarist recorded a rendition of the song – the original of which appears on Waits’ 13th studio album, ‘Mule Variations’ – for the latest instalment in the Spotify Singles series.Morello enlisted X Ambassadors frontman Sam Harris to sing on the cover. Harris previously worked with the RATM star on the latter’s most recent solo album, ‘The Atlas Underground Flood’, which came out last December.The new Spotify Singles release also features a fresh take on the aforementioned record’s Ben Harper-featuring track, ‘Raising Hell’.

Metal Lords – an upcoming film from Games of Thrones co-creator D. B.

MC5 have announced their first album in over 50 years and a series of US tour dates.The band took to Instagram earlier today (March 9) to post a video, which you can view below, featuring old footage of the punk veterans and a snippet of the album’s title track ‘Heavy Lifting’. The song also features Rage Against The Machine‘s Tom Morello.MC5 have reformed with original member Wayne Kramer, Pollo Elastica’s Brad Brooks, Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction), Vicki Randle (Mavis Staples) and guitarist Stevie Salas.The new LP, which is due to drop later this year, will be the band’s first proper studio effort since 1971’s ‘High Time’ and sees Kramer collaborating with Morello, Kesha, Jill Sobule, Tim McIlrath, and Alejandro Escovedo.The band will also hit the road for a US tour in May, dates for which you can view below.A post shared by MC5 (@mc5alive)Tickets for the shows will go on sale this Friday (March 11) and further information is available via Kramer’s Facebook page here.Meanwhile, MC5 were recently nominated for this year’s Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame alongside Eminem, Kate Bush, Beck, Eurythmics, Duran Duran, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Rage Against The Machine, A Tribe Called Quest, Carly Simon, Judas Priest, Fela Kuti, New York Dolls, Dionne Warwick, DEVO and Pat Benatar.It is the Detroit rockers’ sixth nomination over the years ahead of the final shortlist in May.A body of more than 1,000 artists, industry members and historians will help decide which five acts out of the 17 will progress into the final round of induction consideration.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorOn the heels of legendary punk progenitors the MC5’s nomination to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the group’s guitarist and co-founder Wayne Kramer has released two new songs and announced The Heavy Lifting Tour in May, all as a “reanimation” of the pioneering group, dubbed We Are All MC5.The tour begins with a special hometown show, celebrating the birthday of Detroit’s El Club, before moving on to the East Coast (Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Brooklyn) and West Coast (Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego). Joining Kramer in the touring band will be singer Brad Brooks, drummer Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction), bassist Vicki Randle (Mavis Staples), and guitarist Stevie Salas (David Bowie). “Nonstop touring, especially the last decade, I’ve come to understand that the music of the MC5 is as necessary as ever,” Kramer said.

Nandi Bushell has shared a guitar cover of Jimi Hendrix‘s 1967 track ‘Little Wing’ – you can watch it below.The 11-year-old child prodigy’s take on the song, which you can view below, follows her recent covers of Rush’s ‘Tom Sawyer’, Billie Eilish‘s ‘Happier Than Ever’, Tool’s ‘Forty Six & 2’, ‘Gimme Shelter’ by The Rolling Stones, ‘Numb’ by Linkin Park, ‘Duality’ by Slipknot, and a rollicking cover of Ed Sheeran and Bring Me The Horizon‘s new collaboration, ‘Bad Habits“Peace, Love and Respect! This is #littlewing by #jimihendrix, one of my favourite #hendrix tunes,” Bushell wrote on Twitter, sharing a clip of her cover. “I have spent this week relaxing, off school, and jamming my #fender #guitar To all #peace #love and #respect.”You can check out Bushell’s cover of ‘Little Wings’ below:Peace, Love and Respect! This is #littlewing by #jimihendrix, one of my favourite #hendrix tunes.

Nandi Bushell, Julien Baker and more have teamed up with an Afghan charity on a new single, ‘God Help Us All.’ Listen to it below.The musicians have teamed up with The Miraculous Love Kids, a non-profit organisation that teaches music to young Afghan girls, to cover Morello’s Nightwatchmen song.The organisation was recently forced to stop its programme after the Taliban took over government control in Afghanistan six months ago. The song aims to raise awareness of the plight of girls in the country since the Taliban’s re-emergence.The founder and director of Miraculous Love Kids, Lanny Cordola said: “It has been a hellish past six months trying to evacuate and relocate the girls and their families.“Tom Morello’s soul hymn perfectly encapsulates this feeling,” he continued.

Rage Against The Machine have shared their new tour itinerary, with half of their dates now set to take place in early 2023.The band, who first announced their second reunion back in 2019, were set to begin their ‘Public Service Announcement’ tour in March 2020. Ongoing complications surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, however, has forced the tour to be rescheduled several times over – the most recent of which came in January, where half the tour was postponed from April to July and the other half was postponed indefinitely.Now, the band have confirmed that the North American tour will take place across two legs.

Lily Moayeri On Jan. 27, in the thick of the Joe Rogan-Spotify rumble — which precipitated Neil Young’s exit from the streaming service — SiriusXM gleefully announced that its dedicated Young channel was returning.

Tom Morello has said that he was recently mistaken for a cast member from US reality show Jersey Shore.The series in question ran for six seasons on MTV between 2009 and 2019. It documented the lives of eight housemates who shared a holiday home in the Seaside Heights borough in New Jersey (seasons two and four relocated to Florida and Italy respectively).Taking to Twitter on Wednesday (January 19), the Rage Against The Machine guitarist wrote: “I was hiking today when one of those ‘Hollywood Tours Of The Stars Homes’ vans pulled up.”He continued: “The driver says on the bullhorn ‘Hey I recognize you from somewhere! Are you one of those Jersey Shore guys??’ I reply, ‘Absolutely.’ And everyone in the van took a photo.'”You can see the tweet below.

Kathleen Hanna and Tom Morello are among a number of musicians protesting new Amazon palm scanners at music venues.The technology, recently implemented “as a form of “convenient” ticketless entry” at a number of US venues including the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, is “an example of biometric data collection, and could turn Red Rocks into the site of ICE raids, police violence, and false arrests,” the letter states.On a new website called Amazon Doesn’t Rock, the likes of DIIV,

Tom Morello has announced details of a new album – ‘The Atlas Underground Flood’ will come out next month and features collaborations with IDLES, Manchester Orchestra and more.The “sister” record to last month’s ‘The Atlas Underground Fire’ (itself a sequel to 2018’s ‘The Atlas Underground’) will come out on December 3 via Mom + Pop.The album is being previewed today (November 17) by three new songs.