Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine had some unfortunate news for his fans.
The American singer and guitarist announced on Instagram that due to his mother returning to the hospital, Morello has decided to head home and look after her. His mother, Mary, is 102 years old and is also an activist like her son.
“My dear mom, Mary Morello, is back in the hospital and I’m headed home to help look after her,” the musician said in a statement. “Rocking the UK & Europe with you all this summer has been incredible, and I cant wait to be back with you and continue this movement that we started.”
View this post on Instagram
Morello was scheduled to perform at multiple European music festivals this upcoming weekend, including Oslo’s Tons of Rock Festival in Norway and the BBK Music Legends Festival in Spain. He was also supposed to have solo shows in Paris and London next Monday and Tuesday, respectively. Refunds for these concerts will now be issued at the point of purchase.
The sudden cancellation comes two days after Morello announced on Instagram that he had locked in new dates for these shows, which were originally postponed because he had to step away from the road due to a family emergency involving Mary Morello.
Despite the sad news, fans sent Morello and his mom tons of love on social media. According to many comments, Mary Morello was a high school history teacher and seemed to make an impact on many of her students.
“Family first. Mary Morello is a national treasure. Give her a hug and a kiss from all your fans,” a fan commented.
“Mary was my father’s favorite teacher at Libertyville HS. I play him Rage while he tells me stories about her and how much she talked about you,” another user commented. “We wish her a speedy recovery.”
“❤️ your mom taught my mom history,” another fan explained. “She said she was a great teacher and influence. Sending you all our love, peace and gratitude for the guidance and inspiration that has been passed down.”
Fellow rock band Slash also joined the conversation, writing, “You’re the fn best. 🤘🏼.”
“Oh no. Mary Morello is one of my favorite people in the world,” rapper Boots Riley also wrote.
“Mary, we are all thinking of you! You are the mama so many of us wish we had,” a fan commented.
Born in New York City and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Morello became interested in politics and music in high school. He attended Harvard University and graduated with a degree in social studies. His mom was also an activist and a founder of the anti-censorship group Parents for Rock and Rap in 1987. Before that, Mary was involved in the Civil Rights Movement and the NAACP, and was a social studies and U.S. history teacher at Libertyville High School.
The 62-year-old musician has publicly praised his mother and her activism efforts multiple times, writing that she was “still the most radical and most popular member of the Morello family” on her 96th birthday in 2019.
Morello is best known for his tenures with Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, as well as being a member of the supergroup Prophets of Rage and touring with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. He is also loud and proud about his socialist political views, and began his solo project, The Nightwatchman, for those ideas in 2003.
