Biography
Who is Zack de la Rocha?
Early life and real name
Zack de la Rocha: Zacharias Manuel de la Rocha was born in Long Beach, California, on January 12, 1970. His father, Roberto de la Rocha, was a muralist and a member of Los Four, which was the first Chicano art collective exhibited at a museum. His maternal grandfather worked as an agricultural laborer in the United States, and a great grandfather fought in the Mexican Revolution. His parents divorced when he was six years old, and he moved to Irvine with his mother, who later earned a PhD in anthropology.
Early musical projects
Zack met Tim Commerford in elementary school, and the two later played guitar in a junior high band named Juvenile Expression. Zack developed a strong interest in punk rock bands before joining the straight edge band Hard Stance in 1987. By the following year, he took over lead vocals for the group. The remaining members brought in guitarist Vic DiCara, and the band changed its name to Inside Out.
Rage Against the Machine
Following the breakup of Inside Out, Zack began freestyling at local clubs where he met guitarist Tom Morello. Morello was impressed by his lyrics and convinced him to form a new band. Morello recruited drummer Brad Wilk, while Zack brought in his former bandmate Tim Commerford to play bass. They named the group Rage Against the Machine after an unreleased Inside Out record.
Solo career and reunions
After leaving Rage Against the Machine, Zack worked on unreleased solo material with producers and artists including DJ Shadow, Questlove, El-P, and Trent Reznor. He also collaborated on tracks with artists such as Roni Size and Blackalicious. In 2003, he released a protest song titled March of Death with DJ Shadow in opposition to the impending invasion of Iraq. He later performed original material with the Son Jarocho band Son de Madera.
Birthday and age
Zack de la Rocha was born on January 12, 1970, which makes Zack 56 years old today. That birthday falls under the Capricorn sign. Zack shares the date with 40 other famous people.
Explore more
