KC’s first Rage Against The Machine show since 1997 won’t happen because of frontman Zack De La Rocha’s severe knee injury.

Rage’s summer 2022 tour had barely gotten underway before Zack hurt his knee and had to complete that leg of dates while sitting down. I hoped KC would see a full-strength Rage this coming spring when the band finally made good on dates that went on sale before the pandemic. Alas, Zack’s torn ACL injury sounds so severe that he may very well be focused on rehabbing enough to walk normally, much less hit the road with his band. Here’s his statement via Rage’s twitter:

It’s been almost three months since Chicago and I still look down at my leg in disbelief. Two years of waiting through the pandemic hoping we would have an opening to be a band again and continue the work we started 30 some odd years ago. Rehearsing, training, reconciling, working our way back to form. Then one-and-a-half shows into it and my tendon tears. Felt like a sick joke the universe played on me. As I write this I remind myself it’s just bad circumstance. Just a fucked up moment.

Unfortunately it is a moment that requires a lot of work and healing. I have a severe tear in my left achilles tendon and only 8 percent of my tendon was left intact. And even that was severely compromised. It’s not simply a question of being able to perform again, but extends to basic functionality going forward. That’s why I’ve made the painful and difficult decision to cancel the remaining shows on our 2023 North American leg.

I hate cancelling shows. I hate disappointing our fans. You have all waited so patiently to see us and that is never lost on me. I never take that for granted. For you I have the ultimate gratitude and respect.

To my brothers Tim, Brad, and Tom; to El P, Killer Mike, Trackstar and the whole RTJ crew; to everyone on our production team: techs, cooks, drivers, assistants, security squad, to anyone and everyone who made the shows thus far possible, all my love and respect. I hope to see you very soon.
– Zack de la Rocha.

Within the next 30 days, Ticketmaster or AXS should automatically refund credit card purchases. If you bought your tickets with cash, you’ll need to contact your ticket outlet directly.

This is obviously incredibly disappointing news for Rage and their fans. All our best wishes to Zack and his recovery!