At last night’s Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, Tom Morello stood as the sole representative from RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
Pioneering rapper and the frontman of BODY COUNT, Ice-T, had the honor of inducting Tom Morello, along with the other members of the band, Zack De La Rocha, Tim Commerford, and Brad Wilk, into the prestigious Rock Hall. During the induction, Ice-T fondly recollected how RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE had opened for his own act during the band’s early days.
“Right out of the gate, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE was not a game,” Ice-T said. “In their their career, they did things that impress cats like me. You can’t impress me with normal stuff. You got to impress me with stuff like suing the U.S. State Department for using their music in Guantanamo Bay for torture. Who does that? RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE does that. Or how about 1993, pulling up at Lollapalooza butt naked with duct tape, protesting against the PRMC [Parents Music Resource Center]? Who does that? RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE does that. I respect the hell out of this band.
“If you want to go down in history, you have to make something or break something,” Ice-Tcontinued. “RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE broke every rule in the book just so they could let you know that they were in the building.”
In his acceptance speech, Morello said: “I am deeply grateful for the musical chemistry I’ve had the good fortune to share with Brad Wilk, Tim Commerford and Zach De La Rocha. Like most bands, we have differing perspectives on a lot of things, including about being inducted into the Rock Hall.
“The reason we are here and the best way to celebrate this music is for you to carry on that mission and that message. The lesson I’ve learned from RAGE fans is that music can change the world daily.”
Tom continued: “The job we set out to do is not over. Now you’re the ones that must testify. If you’ve got a boss, join a union. If you’re a student, start underground paper. If you’re an anarchist, throw a brick. If you’re a soldier or a cop, follow your conscience not your orders. If you’re bummed out that you didn’t get to see RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, then form your own band, and let’s hear what you have to say.
“When protest music is done right,” Morello added, “you can hear a new world emerging in the songs.”
“The reason we are here and the best way to celebrate this music is for you to carry on that mission and that message. The lesson I’ve learned from RAGE fans is that music can change the world daily.”
The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame class of 2023 features a stellar lineup that includes Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, and THE SPINNERS. Additionally, Chaka Khan, Al Kooper, and Bernie Taupin were honored with the Musical Excellence Award, while DJ Kool Herc and Link Wray received the Musical Influence Award, and Don Cornelius was posthumously recognized with the Ahmet Ertegun Award.