Brad Wilk was born on September 5th, 1968, in Portland, Oregon, USA, a city that would set the stage for the drummer's later musical endeavors. His childhood was marked by frequent relocations, with stops in Chicago, Illinois, and eventually, California, where he would eventually find his footing. As a young boy, Wilk was an avid music enthusiast, with a particular fondness for the works of Led Zeppelin and The Sex Pistols, among others. He was also heavily influenced by the music of James Brown and George Clinton, whose innovative styles would later shape his own approach to drumming.
Wilk's introduction to drumming came at the tender age of 13, when he received his first CB700 kit as a 14th birthday gift. He spent countless hours practicing along to his favorite records and taking lessons to hone his craft. As his passion for drumming grew, so did his ambition to make a career out of it. Wilk placed an ad in a local newspaper seeking a band that shared his vision for unique and innovative music. Little did he know that this decision would lead him to collaborate with some of the most talented and influential musicians of his generation.
Enter Tom Morello, an undiscovered guitarist with a bold vision for his own music. The two would go on to form two legendary bands: Rage Against The Machine, alongside bassist Tim Commerford and rapper Zach de la Rocha, and Audioslave, with Commerford and singer Chris Cornell. Wilk's drumming style, which blended technical precision with raw energy and passion, would become an integral part of both bands' sound.
Throughout his career, Wilk has drawn inspiration from a wide range of artists, including Black Sabbath, Leonard Cohen, MC5, Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, Gene Krupa, Art Blakey, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Wayne Shorter. His eclectic tastes have allowed him to stay true to his artistic vision while continually pushing the boundaries of his craft.
Offstage, Wilk is known for his compassionate and grounded nature, which is deeply rooted in his Buddhist faith. Tragedy struck in 1994 when his father passed away while Wilk was touring with Rage Against The Machine on the Lollapalooza ticket. This loss would have a profound impact on Wilk, teaching him the importance of valuing simplicity and living life to the fullest.
