Zack de la Rocha joined Run the Jewels on stage Thursday night to perform his guest spot on their track, “Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck),” marking his first public performance since Rage Against the Machine cancelled their 2023 tour last year. Watch a video of the moment below.
De la Rocha has been out of the spotlight (literally) since Rage Against the Machine wrapped their 2022 tour, during which he injured his leg during a concert in July 2022. In August 2022, photographer and de la Rocha’s friend, Glen E. Friedman, revealed that he had torn his Achilles, which de la Rocha confirmed himself a few months later, when the band announced that they would cancel their 2023 tour so he could focus on healing-up.
“Unfortunately it is a moment that requires a lot of work and healing,” de la Rocha wrote at the time. “I have a severe tear in my left Achilles tendon and only 8% of my tendon was left intact. And even that portion was severely compromised.”
Now, though, it appears that de la Rocha is on the mend. With no introduction, he stepped out onstage with Run the Jewels on Thursday night, right as his verse on “Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck)” began, surprising the crowd and elevating the energy. Watch the video below.
Meanwhile, Rage Against the Machine has yet to announce any new tour dates, but have at least been enjoying some due recognition recently. This past May, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for which they thanked “all of the passionate fans, the many talented co-conspirators we’ve worked with, and all the activists, organizers, rebels, and revolutionaries past, present, and future who have inspired our art.”
Last month, pop star Olivia Rodrigo named Rage Against the Machine as her favorite band at the moment, explaining that she’s been listening to them “over and over again on my way to and from the studio.”
As for Run The Jewels, their 10th anniversary tour is wrapping up tonight with one final performance at the Hollywood Palladium. Grab tickets here.
