Rage Against The Machine bassist Tim Commerford has spoken out again about his prostate cancer. Despite the difficult diagnosis, the RATM member feels “stronger than ever” today.
“I feel better physically than many people my age”
In a conversation with “TotalRock”, Commerford spoke openly about the difficult first time after the diagnosis in 2022 and the physical and emotional challenges he had to overcome. “It took me a few years to even be able to talk about cancer without getting emotional and crying,” he explained. After the shocking test results, he initially felt “broken”. Nevertheless, he feels “stronger than ever” today and would also look forward to the positive turn his life has taken. “I am 56 years old, but I feel better physically than many my age,” said the RATM founding member.
Strong recommendation to all men
The musician emphasized how crucial it is to pay attention to the first signs of the disease. “That’s exactly what I didn’t do,” admitted the Californian. In the event of an elevated PSA value, he appealed to all men to seek professional help immediately. The PSA value is determined through a blood test. It serves as an important marker for the early detection of prostate cancer and is usually carried out on men aged 45 and over. In his own case, he only found out that the tumor had already grown through a routine screening from his health insurance company. “If I had gone to the doctor sooner, they could have found the cancer in the capsule and I would have been better off,” Commerford said, looking back. His prostate had been removed as part of the treatment.
Rage Against The Machine’s Future: Uncertain
Tim Commerford has been a member of Rage Against The Machine since their formation in 1991. They released three albums together, but then separated temporarily in 2000. In the years that followed, the band repeatedly got together for reunion gigs. Most recently in 2022 for the “Public Service Announcement” tour, during which frontman Zach de la Rocha seriously injured his Achilles tendon.
Commerford has been cautious in the past about the future of the combo. At the beginning of the year, drummer Brad Wilk suggested that the 90s crossover band had broken up. Commerford recently toured the UK and Europe with his side project 7D7D and described the project as a “perceived revolution” that helped him rediscover his passion for music – cancer or not.