Claim: Tom Morello was raised in Illinois.

Thomas Baptiste Morello -LRB- born May 30 , 1964 -RRB- is an American musician , singer , songwriter , actor and political activist . He is best known for his tenure with the band Rage Against the Machine and then with Audioslave . As of 2016 , Morello is a member of the supergroup Prophets of Rage . Morello was also a touring musician with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band . He is also known for his acoustic solo act called The Nightwatchman , and Street Sweeper Social Club . Morello is also the co-founder -LRB- along with Serj Tankian -RRB- of the non-profit political activist organization Axis of Justice , which airs a monthly program on Pacifica Radio station KPFK -LRB- 90.7 FM -RRB- in Los Angeles .   Born in Harlem , New York , and raised in Libertyville , Illinois , Morello became interested in music and politics while in high school . He attended Harvard University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies . After his previous band Lock Up disbanded , Morello met Zack de la Rocha , and the two founded Rage Against the Machine together . The group went on to become one of the most popular and influential rock acts of the 1990s .   He is best known for his unique and creative guitar playing style , which incorporates feedback noise , unconventional picking and tapping as well as heavy use of guitar effects . Morello is also noted for his leftist political views and activism ; his creation of his side project The Nightwatchman offered an outlet for his views while playing apolitical music with Audioslave . He was ranked number 40 in Rolling Stone magazine 's list of the `` 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time '' .