Legendary Calif. rock band says they won’t ever play live again

Rage Against the Machine is calling it quits again. The legendary band formed in Los Angeles in 1991 and became world-renowned for its anarchic stage presence, radical lyricism and rhythmic fusion of hardcore, funk and hip-hop. Now they may have just broken up for good. 

“I know a lot of people are waiting for us to announce new tour dates for all the canceled RATM shows,” drummer Brad Wilk wrote in an Instagram post Wednesday, referring to a reunion tour that was pushed back due to the pandemic and delayed further when vocalist Zack de la Rocha tore his Achilles tendon during a gig in Chicago last year. The band tried to keep the momentum of the tour going with de la Rocha sitting during shows, but by the time they reached New York three months later, the severity of the injury led them to cancel all of the remaining dates.

“I don’t want to string people or myself along any further,” Wilk continued in his Wednesday post. “I want to let you know that RATM (Tim [Commerford], Zack, Tom [Morello] 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…” 

RATM established its roots when Morello, at the time a Harvard graduate with a degree in social studies, landed on the West Coast and put out a want ad for “a socialist frontman who likes Black Sabbath and Public Enemy.” A year later, he met de la Rocha while he was freestyling at a club and convinced him to start a band. Together, they joined forces with Wilk, who had been highly active in the Los Angeles punk scene, and Commerford, de la Rocha’s childhood friend and previous bandmate. 

Their debut record, the self-titled “Rage Against the Machine,” was released in 1992 and featured now iconic singles such as “Killing in the Name” and “Bombtrack.” It was a critical and commercial hit, and they went on to perform at Lollapalooza in 1993. Their second and third albums, “Evil Empire” and “The Battle of Los Angeles,” both topped the U.S. charts, but the band dissolved over creative differences in 2000.

They reunited at Coachella in 2007 and toured through 2019, but parted ways again until plans for the comeback tour emerged. The announcement of RATM’s split follows the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last November. Notably, Morello was the only member of the band present for the ceremony.

“Oh Brad. I am crushed to hear this,” Shirley Manson, vocalist of the ’90s rock band Garbage, replied in a comment to Wilk’s post. “I hope you are all ok. Sending you much love and gratitude for the incredible music.”