Tom Morello Performs Protest Song on Jimmy Kimmel Live

The Rock Hall‑inducted guitarist performed his new anti‑fascist track with a full band and his teenage son on Sept. 29.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 30 Sep 2026 09:22:46 GMT

Tom Morello closed ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live on Sept. 29 with a performance of his new protest song “Soldier in the Army of Love,” according to Billboard and Rolling Stone.

What happened

The guitarist, a Rock Hall inductee and former Rage Against the Machine frontman, took the stage with a full backing band, vocalists and his 16‑year‑old son Roman Morello. Roman played a solo on an electric guitar held behind his back, the instrument daubed with a call to action for homeless rights, and the duo ended the song by raising their fists. The track appears on Morello’s solo album Everyone Gets Everything They Want, released last week on Mom + Pop Music.

What the reports add

Billboard noted the performance was the show’s closing musical‑guest segment and highlighted the song’s anti‑fascist lyrics, including the line “transforming motherf—ers like Saul into Paul.”
Rolling Stone reported that Morello had originally been slated to appear during the show’s Brooklyn week with Bruce Springsteen but withdrew because of a scheduling conflict, prompting the Kimmel appearance instead.
Rolling Stone added production credits for the album – Tyler Smyth, Carl Restivo, Zakk Cervini, Dan Carey and Sam Nelson Harris – and guest appearances from Serj Tankian, Kneecap, Beartooth and Roman Morello.
The Power to the People Festival on Oct. 3 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, will feature Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Foo Fighters, Joan Baez, Public Enemy, Killer Mike, Brittany Howard, Dropkick Murphys, Jack Black, Serj Tankian, Grandson, the Neighborhood Kids, Taylor Momsen, Matt Cameron, the Linda Lindas and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, with artist Shepard Fairey performing a DJ set.

What was said

“I make anti‑racist songs for anti‑racists,” Morello said in a statement announcing Everyone Gets Everything They Want. “I make anti‑fascist songs for anti‑fascists. And I make anti‑Nazi songs for anti‑Nazis.” – Billboard

“Soldier in the Army of Love” comes off Morello’s new LP, Everyone Gets Everything They Want, which dropped last week via Mom + Pop Music. – Rolling Stone

“The Power to the People festival is about freedom, justice, equality and rock & roll,” Morello added. “It’s about the power everyday human beings have when they come together through music, art, community, and action.” – Rolling Stone

How it came about

Morello’s new album, Everyone Gets Everything They Want, is described as a collection of anti‑fascist songs. The performance follows the album’s release and precedes his Power to the People Festival scheduled for Oct. 3 at Merriweather Post Pavilion, where Springsteen and a wide‑ranging lineup are confirmed to appear. Kimmel’s Brooklyn week shows were taped at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House, and the episode also featured guests Amy Schumer and Howard Stern.

Key facts

Tom Morello performed “Soldier in the Army of Love” on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Sept. 29. (billboard.com)
The song is from his newly released solo album Everyone Gets Everything They Want. (rollingstone.com)
Morello’s son Roman played a guitar solo behind his head during the performance. (rollingstone.com)
Morello was originally scheduled to appear with Bruce Springsteen during the show’s Brooklyn week but withdrew due to a scheduling conflict. (rollingstone.com)
Morello’s Power to the People Festival is set for Oct. 3 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. (rollingstone.com)