Rock legend Tom Morello has announced the death of his mother, Mary Morello, who has passed away at the age of 102.
Videos by Wide Open Country
The Rage Against the Machine guitarist shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram, posting a photograph of his mother alongside another image showing him holding her hand.
"Mary Morello is forever with the Rebels of Light & Song. (1923-2026)," the caption read.
Last month, Morello canceled the UK and European leg of his tour to return home after Mary was admitted to hospital.
Tom Morello Pays Tribute to His Mother
Following the announcement, tributes poured in from across the music world.
Hollywood actor and Tenacious D frontman Jack Black wrote, "Love you Tom...sorry for your loss."
Rock legends Metallica also shared their condolences, commenting, "Much love to you and your family, Tom."
"We will all miss Mary dearly. She was an inspiration," added System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian.
Mary was admired not only as Tom Morello's mother but also for her lifelong activism and involvement in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s.
Born in Marseilles, Illinois, in 1923, she spent her early years teaching English. She travelled extensively, teaching in Germany, Peru, and Japan.
In the early 1960s, she moved to Kenya, where she married Kenyan independence activist Ngethe Njoroge. The couple then relocated to Harlem, New York, in 1964.
Lifelong Activist Inspired Her Son
Tom Morello was born in 1964, and his parents divorced the following year.
Mary later raised her son in Libertyville, Illinois, where she taught social studies and U.S. history at Libertyville High School.
After 22 years in education, she left teaching in 1987 to found Parents for Rock and Rap, an anti-censorship organization. She continued her advocacy for social justice and other causes.
As her health declined in recent weeks, Morello cut short his European tour to be by her side.
"Dear friends, fans and comrades, my dear mom, Mary Morello is back in the hospital and I'm headed home to help look after her," he wrote on social media.
"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. With much love, unity and power."
Throughout his career, Morello frequently credited his mother with shaping his political beliefs. As well as inspiring his lifelong commitment to activism through music.
