Mary Morello, the mother of Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, has died at 102.
Tom announced her passing on Instagram, writing, “Mary Morello is forever with the Rebels of Light & Song.” He had canceled a European solo tour in June after Mary was hospitalized so he could return home to care for her.
Mary was born in Illinois in 1923. She lived in Kenya in the early 1960s, where she met and married Ng’ethe Njoroge, Tom’s father. Tom was born in New York City in 1964. The family later moved to a Chicago suburb, where he grew up.
A lifelong activist, Mary founded Parents for Rock and Rap. The group worked to protect music and art from censorship. Her political work strongly influenced Tom and his music with Rage Against the Machine.
Mary turned 100 in 2023. Her celebration included a party where Jack Black sang Ozzy Osbourne songs. Fans and musicians alike remember her for her activism and her impact on one of rock’s most outspoken bands.
