Whatever It Takes

‘I’m both blessed and cursed to be a guitar player. I didn't choose it, it chose me. The challenge was to find a way to weave my convictions into my music in a meaningful way.’ - Tom Morello

As the co-founder of Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, and Prophets of Rage, and as a collaborator with rock legends from Bruce Springsteen to Johnny Cash, few musicians have been as groundbreaking as Tom Morello. Now, for the first time, Morello describes his remarkable life as a guitarist, songwriter, singer, and political activist in the ultimate book of his career, Whatever It Takes.

From his first guitar to the present day, Morello’s inspiring story is told entirely in his own words. His commentary accompanies hundreds of photographs, many of which are previously unpublished. From the author’s archives, handwritten notes, tour itineraries and setlists offer first-hand perspective. News clippings, concert posters and album covers provide further context. Stunning images of Morello’s heavily customised guitars complete this jam-packed memoir, and the result, like his incendiary guitar playing, is fascinating, honest, and completely unique.

Introduced by the multi-award-winning filmmaker, Michael Moore, and by Jann Wenner, the co-founder of Rolling Stone and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Whatever It Takes is the defining document of one of the greatest rock guitar players of our times.

‘He's not only a brilliant musician, but he has a deep heart and a social conscience, just like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Bono, or Jackson Browne. Tom is right up there with that gang. I think this excellent book helps prove why.’ – Jann Wenner

‘Fascists, white supremacists, centrists beware: Tom Morello is armed and dangerous, and his weapon is his music.’ – Michael Moore