Rage Against the Machine: Stage Fighters by Paul Stenning
Rage Against the Machine changed the shape of music with their rampant self-titled debut album in 1992. Here was a politically charged troupe who took advantage of major label backing yet spoke out on issues that few stars in the spotlight dared to - never afraid to insist their message was just as important as the music. The sales came in the millions and critical acclaim besieged them...until De La Rocha left the band in 2000. Instead of attempting to replace the inimitable orator, Morello and Co. threw a curveball and hired ex-Soundgarden throat Chris Cornell to create a new band - Audioslave. Yet, there was always the genius of Rage Against The Machine in the background and in 2007 the band reformed with De La Rocha included. Millions have waited a long time to see the spectacle unfold once again.This is the story of how a Harvard graduate and a poetic activist welded together, along with several capable cohorts, to create a bastion of youth revival and change through the medium of their striking, innovative material; a glutton of musical riches which continues to amaze and inspire today.