Tom Morello Wiki Biography
Thomas Morello was born on 30 May 1964, in Harlem, New York City USA, of Italian, Irish and Kenyan descent. He is well known for being a guitarist for popular bands Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave. Tom is a well-established musician and songwriter, with his music accounting for most of his current net worth.
How rich is Tom Morello? Sources estimate that his net worth is at $30 million as of early 2016. Most of this has been attributed to his earnings with Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave. He’s also made music for numerous movies and has been playing solo under the name The Nightwatchman. Success in the music industry and a unique style has put him where he is now.
Tom Morello Net Worth $30 Million
Even at a young age, Tom became very interested in both music and politics. He developed a leftist perspective early, and it defined most of his future endeavors. He was educated at Libertyville High School, and attended Harvard University as a political science student. He graduated in 1986, and then moved to Los Angeles to pursue his music career. To make ends meet he worked as an exotic male stripper, then as a political secretary. His experience in politics didn’t really work well with him, and he realized he didn’t have much interest in that kind of career.
With influences from rock, rap, metal and punk bands, he formed the band Lock Up which went on to produce one album, but sales tanked, and the group soon disbanded. Eventually he met Zack De La Rocha and liked his freestyle rapping, so they formed the band Rage Against the Machine and added drummer Brad Wilk as well as Tom’s childhood friend Tim Commerford on the bass. This would be the start of Morello’s rise in net worth. The band released a self-titled debut album, which was well received and became a hit in many music circles. It was a revolutionary fusion of rock and rap which inspired many similar bands in years to come.
Tom Morello became well known for his unusual style of playing the guitar, using feedback and effects to create unique sounds that fit the band well. Rage Against the Machine went on to make three more studio albums, performing in large, crowded stadiums all around the country. After some disputes during the late 2000s, a disgruntled Zack De La Rocha decided to leave the band just before their fourth album was released.
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The remaining members of the band went on to collaborate with Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell. The new band which was originally named Civilian, became Audioslave and released a triple-platinum debut album. The second album from the band in 2005 achieved a number one Billboard status as well as platinum status. But in 2007, the band broke up due to some conflicts on Cornell’s side. The remaining members reunited with Zack de la Rocha and Rage Against the Machine was formed once again. They continued to tour and perform until 2011.
For Tom’s solo career, he is called The Nighwatchman, and his music is a great contrast to what people are used to. He played folk music, which Tom considered an extension of his political views. He went on to collaborate with many artists during his solo run, but also made appearances for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, which many believed contributed to that band’s success. He is currently part of the band Street Sweeper Social Club.
Tom Morello keeps his personal life very private. He is married to Denise Luiso and they have two children. Aside from this he’s known to be an activist, joining various groups and also playing music for them. He’s known to always customize and modify the guitars he uses, having different preferences for each one.
Full Name | Tom Morello |
Net Worth | $30 Million |
Date Of Birth | May 30, 1964 |
Place Of Birth | Harlem, New York City, New York, United States |
Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.8 m) |
Profession | Musician, Songwriter, Actor, Guitarist, Singer-songwriter, Film Score Composer |
Education | Libertyville High School, Harvard University |
Nationality | American |
Spouse | Denise Luiso (m. 2009) |
Children | Rhoads Morello, Roman Morello |
Parents | Mary Morello, Ngethe Njoroge |
Nicknames | Thomas Baptiste Morello , Thomas Morello , Rage Against the Machine , Audioslave , The Nightwatchman |
http://www.facebook.com/TomMorello | |
http://www.twitter.com/tmorello | |
https://www.instagram.com/tommorello/ | |
MySpace | http://www.myspace.com/thenightwatchman |
IMDB | http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0603780 |
Allmusic | https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tom-morello-mn0000617336 |
Albums | Rage Against The Machine (1992), Evil Empire (1996), The Battle of Los Angeles (1999), Renegades (2000), Axis of Justice (2004), One Man Revolution (2007) |
Music Groups | Rage Against the Machine ,E Street Band, Civilian, Soundgarden |
Movies | Iron Man (2008), Live at Finsbury Park (2015), Made (2001), Berkeley (2005), We Are Wisconsin (2012, documentary) |
Trademark | |
---|---|
1 | Shaven head |
2 | Ibanez Guitar |
3 | Fiery Politically charged Lyrics with an emphasis on Social Injustice |
4 | Explosive energetic Guitar Solos |
5 | Baseball Cap |
6 | Producing DJ-like “scratching” sounds with his electric guitar, as well as passionate, adventurous solos featuring interesting digital effects.. |
Quote | |
---|---|
1 | Beethoven’s (Ludwig van Beethoven] Fifth Symphony contains one of the great riffs of all time. |
2 | When you’re managing human affairs in the name of profit, it’s going to be very scarring to the environment and devastating to human rights. And the Occupy movement is now giving voice to that discontent. The discontent is always latent, but now it is represented on street corners in cities around the world. |
3 | “We are committed to continuing with our efforts to effect change in the social and political arena and look forward to creating more ground-breaking music for our fans. In other words, we’ll keep it loud, keep it funky and most definitely rock on. |
Fact | |
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1 | Once worked as an aide for Democratic senator Alan Cranston. |
2 | Graduated from Harvard University in 1986 with a BA Degree, with Honours, in Political Science. |
3 | Is a Vegetarian. |
4 | Is a long time friend and protégé of U2 frontman Bono who personally sought out RATM to open for U2 during their juggernaut Achtung Baby tour back in the early 1990s. |
5 | Is a close friend and supporter of ‘Farenheit 9/11’ film maker Michael Moore (Moore directed the RATM video ‘Sleep Now In The Fire’, nominated for a VMA in 2000). |
6 | In 2004, Morello combined activism and music as his alter ego The Nightwatchman on the ‘Tell Us The Truth’ tour which also included Billy Bragg and Steve Earle. |
7 | Tirelessly continues his political activism during Audioslave’s off time through the non-profit organisation he co-founded Axis of Justice which focuses on issues of peace, human rights, and economic justice. |
8 | Along with his former Rage bandmates, he heavily supported the “Free Mumia” movement. This called for the release and retrial of covicted Philadelphia cop killer Mumia Abu Jamal, who has been on death row since 1981. As a result of the affiliation, Rage’s music is permanently banned from one of Philadelphia’s rock stations, WMMR (although Audioslave songs are allowed). |
9 | His mother, Mary, is of Irish/Italian heritage. |
10 | His father was a civil servant. was part of the first Kenyan delegation to the United Nations in New York. |
11 | His uncle is the late Jomo Kenyatta, one of the earliest and best known African nationalist leaders who went on to become the first president of Kenya. |
12 | Was in a band called Electric Sheep with Tool guitarist Adam Jones. |
13 | Has started the rock band Audioslave with fellow Rage Against The Machine members Tim Commerford, Brad Wilk and former Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell. [2002] |
14 | His father was a guerilla in the Mau-Mau uprising that freed Kenya from British rule. |
15 | His mother, Mary, started Parents for Rock and Rap, an organization against censorship in music. |
Soundtrack
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter | 2016 | performer: “Collider” / writer: “Collider” | |
One Hit Wonderland | 2012-2015 | TV Series documentary writer – 2 episodes | |
Entourage | 2015 | performer: “King Of The Jungle” – as Tom Morrello / writer: “King Of The Jungle” – as Tom Morrello | |
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | 2015 | TV Series performer – 1 episode | |
My Mad Fat Diary | 2014 | TV Series writer – 1 episode | |
The 55th Annual Grammy Awards | 2013 | TV Special performer: “Refuse to Lose”, “No Sleep till Brooklyn” | |
Sound City | 2013 | Documentary writer: “Killing in the Name” | |
Zero Dark Thirty | 2012 | performer: “Rise Up Featuring Tom Morello” / writer: “Rise Up Featuring Tom Morello” – as Thomas Morello | |
Pauw & Witteman | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2012 writer – 1 episode, 2012 | ||
Battleship | 2012 | performer: “Super Battle” / writer: “Super Battle” | |
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2011 writer – 1 episode, 2011 | ||
P.O.V. | 2011 | TV Series documentary writer – 1 episode | |
Real Steel | 2011 | performer: “The Midas Touch”, “One Man Army” / writer: “The Midas Touch”, “One Man Army” | |
Transformers: Dark of the Moon | 2011 | performer: “Goodbye – Gate 21” | |
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front | 2011 | Documentary writer: “Sleep Now In The Fire” | |
Conan | 2010 | TV Series performer – 1 episode | |
Friday Night Lights | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2010 writer – 1 episode, 2010 | ||
Hawaii Five-0 | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2010 writer – 1 episode, 2010 | ||
The A-Team | 2010 | performer: “A-TEAM BLASTOFF SUITE” / writer: “A-TEAM BLASTOFF SUITE” | |
The Losers | 2010/I | writer: “Clap for the Killers”, “The Oath” | |
WWE Raw | TV Series writer – 3 episodes, 2010 performer – 3 episodes, 2010 | ||
Live from Studio Five | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2009 writer – 1 episode, 2009 | ||
Tropic Thunder | 2008 | writer: “The Name Of The Game”, “The Name Of The Game The Crystal Method’s Big Ass T.T. Mix” | |
Drillbit Taylor | 2008 | writer: “Name Of The Game” | |
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock | 2007 | Video Game “Tom Morello Boss Battle” / writer: “Bulls On Parade” | |
World in Conflict | 2007 | Video Game writer: “Shadow on the Sun” | |
Slacker Uprising | 2007 | Documentary performer: “No One Left” / writer: “No One Left” | |
Sicko | 2007 | Documentary performer: “I’m Alone Without You” – as The Nightwatchman / writer: “I’m Alone Without You” – as The Nightwatchman | |
Guitar Hero II | 2006 | Video Game writer: “KILLING IN THE NAME OF” – as T Morello | |
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby | 2006 | writer: “Cochise” 2002 | |
Miami Vice | 2006 | writer: “Shape of Things to Come”, “Wide Awake” | |
Coachella | 2006 | Video documentary writer: “Om Nia Merican” – as Tom Morrello | |
Threat | 2006 | performer: “Rage” / writer: “Rage” | |
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | 2004 | Video Game writer: “Killing In The Name” – as Thomas Morello | |
Collateral | 2004 | “Shadow On The Sun” / writer: “Shadow On The Sun” – as Thomas Morello | |
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story | 2004 | performer: “Face Off” / writer: “Face Off” | |
Foolproof | 2003 | writer: “Wild, Sweet & Cool” | |
Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle | 2003 | writer: “Sleep Now in the Fire” | |
The Matrix Reloaded | 2003 | writer: “Calm Like a Bomb” | |
Splinter Cell | 2002 | Video Game writer: “Name of the Game” | |
Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever | 2002 | writer: “The Name Of The Game” – as T. Morello | |
Blade II | 2002 | producer: “PHDream” / writer: “The Name of The Game” | |
S.P.U.N.G | 2002 | TV Series writer – 1 episode | |
This Is What Democracy Looks Like | 2000 | Documentary writer: “Guerrilla Radio” | |
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 | 2000 | Video Game writer: “Guerrilla Radio” | |
The Matrix | 1999 | writer: “Wake Up” | |
The Faculty | 1998 | performer: “Another Brick in the Wall, part II” | |
Spawn | 1997 | performer: “One Man Army” / writer: “One Man Army” – as T. Morello | |
Daria | 1997 | TV Series writer – 1 episode | |
Dangerous Ground | 1997 | performer: “Rapaz R.N. Dainja Chain Me to the Gear Re-mix” |
Music Department
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Pacific Rim | 2013 | musician: feature guitarist | |
Battleship | 2012 | musician: featured guitarist | |
Iron Man 2 | 2010 | musician: electric guitars | |
Iron Man | 2008 | musician: additional electric guitar | |
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby | 2006 | musician: guitar | |
xXx: State of the Union | 2005 | additional musician: guitar |
Actor
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Iron Man | 2008 | Guard | |
Berkeley | 2005 | Blue | |
Made | 2001 | Best Man | |
Star Trek: Voyager | 2000 | TV Series | Crewman Mitchell |
Star Trek: Insurrection | 1998 | Son’a Officer (uncredited) |
Writer
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Leo Moracchioli: Killing in the Name | 2016 | Short |
Composer
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Rage Against the Machine: Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium | 2003 | Video |
Thanks
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe | 2014 | TV Movie documentary thanks | |
Occupy Los Angeles | 2012 | Documentary thanks | |
Save the Farm | 2011 | Documentary short special thanks | |
Fahrenheit 9/11: A Movement in Time | 2004 | TV Movie documentary special thanks |
Self
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
The Survivor’s Guide to Prison | 2017 | Documentary post-production | Himself |
Beyond Barricades | 2016 | Documentary post-production | Himself |
Jimmy Kimmel Live! | 2007-2016 | TV Series | Himself – Musical Guest / Himself – Musical Support / Himself |
Tavis Smiley | 2008-2016 | TV Series | Himself |
Real Time with Bill Maher | 2006-2016 | TV Series | Himself / Himself – Guest |
A Director Prepares: Bobby Roth’s Masterclass | 2016 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Imagine John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert | 2015 | TV Movie | Himself – Musician |
Shadow Nation | 2015 | Documentary | |
The 2015 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony | 2015 | TV Movie | Himself |
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | 2015 | TV Series | Himself – Musical Guest |
The 2014 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony | 2014 | TV Movie | Himself (inducting Kiss) |
Who Is Vermin Supreme? An Outsider Odyssey | 2014 | Documentary | Himself |
Bruce Springsteen’s High Hopes | 2014 | Documentary short | Himself |
Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe | 2014 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
The Kennedy Center Honors | 2013 | TV Special | Himself |
Four Days in Chicago | 2013 | Documentary | Himself |
Forward | 2013/I | Documentary | Himself |
The 55th Annual Grammy Awards | 2013 | TV Special | Himself – Performer |
Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs | 2012 | TV Movie | Himself |
Let Fury Have the Hour | 2012 | Documentary | Himself |
Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell | 2012 | TV Series | Himself – Guest |
Occupy Los Angeles | 2012 | Documentary | Himself |
Democracy Now! | 2010-2012 | TV Series | Himself |
Moyers & Company | 2012 | TV Series | Himself |
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | 2012 | TV Series | Himself |
Metal Evolution | 2011-2012 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Capitalism Is the Crisis | 2011 | Documentary | Himself |
Rise Like Lions | 2011 | Documentary | Himself |
Last Call with Carson Daly | 2007-2011 | TV Series | Himself |
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | 2011 | TV Series | Himself – Musical Guest |
Talk Stoop with Cat Greenleaf | 2011 | TV Series | Himself |
That Metal Show | 2011 | TV Series | Himself – Guest |
Save the Farm | 2011 | Documentary short | Himself – Rage Against the Machine |
The Rage Factor: Rage Against the Machine Live from London | 2011 | Video | Himself |
Conan | 2010 | TV Series | Himself – Musical Support |
Ultimate Iron Man: The Making of ‘Iron Man 2’ | 2010 | Video documentary | Himself |
Sounds Like a Revolution | 2010 | Documentary | |
Breakfast | 2010 | TV Series | Himself – ‘Rage Against the Machine’ |
Rage Against the Machine: Live on the BBC | 2009 | TV Movie | Himself |
The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert | 2009 | TV Special | Himself |
PoliWood | 2009 | Documentary | Himself |
Iron Maiden: Flight 666 | 2009 | Documentary | Himself |
Late Night with Conan O’Brien | 2008 | TV Series | Himself |
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson | 2008 | TV Series | Himself |
South Central Farm: Oasis in a Concrete Desert. | 2008 | Video documentary short | Himself – Musician |
Open the Debates: Super Rally in Denver, CO 2008 | 2008 | Video | Himself |
Chevolution | 2008 | Documentary | Himself |
Public Enemy: Welcome to the Terrordome | 2007 | Documentary | Himself |
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock | 2007 | Video Game | Himself |
Escape from Suburbia: Beyond the American Dream | 2007 | Video documentary | Himself – Guitarist, Audioslave |
Slacker Uprising | 2007 | Documentary | Himself |
Air Guitar Nation | 2006 | Documentary | Los Angeles Judge |
Audioslave: Live in Cuba | 2005 | Video documentary | Himself (Guitars) (as Audioslave) |
Audioslave: [email protected] | 2005 | TV Movie | Himself (as Audioslave) |
Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey | 2005 | Documentary | Himself |
The Work of Director Mark Romanek | 2005 | Video documentary | Himself – Interviewee |
React Now: Music & Relief | 2005 | TV Movie | Himself |
Words and Music in Honor of Fahrenheit 9/11 | 2005 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
I Love the ’90s | 2004 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
I Love the ’80s Strikes Back | 2003 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
The Ultimate Song | 2002 | Video documentary | Himself (member of Rage Against the Machine) |
Rage Against the Machine: The Battle of Mexico City | 2001 | Video documentary | Himself |
Rage Against the Machine: The Battle of Los Angeles | 2001 | Video | Himself |
MTV Video Music Awards 2000 | 2000 | TV Special | Himself – Performer (as Rage Against the Machine) |
Free Tibet | 1998 | Documentary | Himself (Rage Against the Machine) |
Rage Against the Machine | 1997 | Video documentary | Himself |
The Word | 1993 | TV Series | Himself |
Archive Footage
Nominated Awards
Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Best Song | The Man with the Iron Fists (2012) |
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