Zack de la Rocha's Injury MORE Compelling Than Other Vocalists' Issues, Says Tom Morello

Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello praised his bandmate, Zack de la Rocha, even after the vocalist got injured.

The band has been showing an uncertain future after it was forced to postpone its tours after de la Rocha sustained his injury. Still, the vocalist performed in a number of shows while sitting before the band canceled the remaining dates to allow him to recover.

Zack de la Rocha Performed Better Than Other Frontmen, Per Tom Morello

In an interview with The Rolling Stone, Morello took his time to share his thoughts when he learned about his bandmate's injury and how it hurt "pretty badly." He also suffered a ruptured Achilles, but de la Rocha reportedly showed commendable determination despite his health issue.

"I was in rehearsals on crutches. I recognized the gait. But Zack toughed it out that night. And for the next 17 shows, he was more compelling as a frontman sitting on a box in the middle of the stage than 99 percent of the frontmen in the history of all time," Morello said.

The Rage Against the Machine guitarist said the incident was unexpected. However, seeing how the vocalist soldiered on left him impressed. He declared that no one ever told them the show felt different, even after de la Rocha sustained his injury.

The vocalist himself told the crowd in one of his last performances that he injured his leg while performing the band's rendition of "Bullet In The Head." Rolling Stone noted that it seemingly happened when the singer jumped up and down while singing the climax of the hit track.

It was not the first time he injured himself during their concert, though. In August 1997, he sustained an ankle injury when he jumped onto a speaker while performing "Bombtrack" at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, show.

But aside from Morello, de la Rocha also earned a photographer's approval.

Zack de la Rocha Praised for His Dedication

In 2022, photographer Glen E. Friedman shared a heartfelt Instagram post in which he penned how grateful everyone was to see him perform again at Madison Square Garden despite injuring himself.

"Even having to sit during the performance, Zack De La Rocha showed the world what they had been missing in all the years he had been away from this incredible group of musicians," Friedman continued.

As of press time, it remains unknown when he will perform again.

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