Tom Morello

Tom Morello
Morello performing as The Nightwatchman in May 2006
Background information
Birth name	Thomas Baptiste Morello
Also known as	The Nightwatchman
Born	(1964-05-30) May 30, 1964 (age 52) Harlem, New York
Origin	Libertyville, Illinois
Genres	Alternative metal funk metal heavy metal rap metal folk
Occupation(s)	Musician singer songwriter actor political activist
Instruments	Guitar vocals harmonica mandolin bass guitar drums piano banjo
Years active	1979–present
Labels	SonyBMG, Epic, Interscope
Associated acts	Rage Against the Machine Audioslave The Nightwatchman Prophets of Rage Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Street Sweeper Social Club Linkin Park
Notable instruments
Custom "Arm the Homeless" Guitar "Soul Power" "Sendero Luminoso" Fender Telecaster "Burnt Budweiser" Gibson Les Paul "Whatever It Takes" Ibanez classical acoustic guitar Ibanez Artstar Hollowbody Gibson EDS-1275

Thomas Baptiste "Tom" Morello (born May 30, 1964) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, actor and political activist. He is best known for his tenure with the band Rage Against the Machine and then with Audioslave. As of 2016, Morello is a member of the supergroup Prophets of Rage. Morello was also a touring musician with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. He is also known for his acoustic solo act called The Nightwatchman, and Street Sweeper Social Club. Morello is also the co-founder (along with Serj Tankian) of the non-profit political activist organization Axis of Justice, which airs a monthly program on Pacifica Radio station KPFK (90.7 FM) in Los Angeles.

Born in Harlem, New York, and raised in Libertyville, Illinois, Morello became interested in music and politics while in high school. He attended Harvard University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies. After his previous band Lock Up disbanded, Morello met Zack de la Rocha, and the two founded Rage Against the Machine together. The group went on to become one of the most popular and influential rock acts of the 1990s.

He is best known for his unique and creative guitar playing style, which incorporates feedback noise, unconventional picking and tapping as well as heavy use of guitar effects. Morello is also noted for his leftist political views and activism; his creation of his side project The Nightwatchman offered an outlet for his views while playing apolitical music with Audioslave. He was ranked number 40 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".