Tim Commerford: His Emotional Health Battle, New Band 7D7D, And 5 Shocking Facts You Didn't Know

In late 2024 and early 2025, the legendary bassist Tim Commerford has been at the forefront of rock news, not just for his revolutionary musical contributions but for a deeply personal and ongoing health battle. The founding member of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave has shared emotional updates on his journey with prostate cancer, revealing the profound impact it has had on his life and career, while simultaneously launching a powerful new musical project, 7D7D. This article provides the most current and comprehensive look into the life, career, and enduring fight of one of rock's most influential bassists, focusing on his latest projects and his courageous health transparency. His commitment to his art remains unbroken, evidenced by the debut of his new band, 7D7D, which dropped its first single, "Capitalism," in a clear return to the politically charged themes that defined his early work. This duality—the fight for health and the fight for creative expression—is the core of Commerford's current narrative, making him a figure of both vulnerability and unwavering artistic power in the current music landscape.

The Complete Tim Commerford Biography and Profile

Timothy Robert Commerford, affectionately known by various monikers including Timmy C., Simmering T, and Tim Bob, is an American musician universally recognized for his unique, aggressive, and funk-infused bass playing. Born on February 26, 1968, in Irvine, California, Commerford’s musical journey began to take shape in his youth, leading to a friendship that would change the course of rock history. * Full Name: Timothy Robert Commerford * Born: February 26, 1968 * Age (as of December 2025): 57 * Birthplace: Irvine, California, U.S. * Primary Instrument: Bass Guitar (also backing vocals) * Iconic Bands: Rage Against the Machine (Founding Member), Audioslave (Founding Member), Prophets of Rage * Current Projects (2024-2025): 7D7D (New Band), Wakrat * Notable Nicknames: Timmy C., Simmering T, Tim Bob, Y.tim.K * Health Status: Continues to manage a prostate cancer diagnosis (revealed in 2022). * Signature Gear: Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Bass (with an updated 2025 artist series model). Commerford’s career is defined by his association with guitarist Tom Morello, whom he met in elementary school. This relationship eventually led to the formation of Rage Against the Machine in 1991, alongside Zack de la Rocha and Brad Wilk. Following RATM’s hiatus, the instrumental core of the band—Commerford, Morello, and Wilk—joined forces with the late Chris Cornell to create the supergroup Audioslave, achieving massive commercial success.

The Emotional and Ongoing Health Battle Update

The most significant and personal news concerning Tim Commerford in the last two years revolves around his prostate cancer diagnosis, which he first revealed in late 2022. In recent interviews, Commerford has provided candid and "emotional" updates, confirming that his battle with the disease is an ongoing part of his life. He has spoken openly about the "emotional" toll the diagnosis and subsequent treatment have taken, emphasizing the mental and psychological challenges alongside the physical ones. His transparency has been a powerful force, bringing awareness to men's health issues, particularly prostate cancer, and demonstrating the vulnerability that exists even within the world of rock icons. The diagnosis was a major factor in the cancellation of Rage Against the Machine’s highly anticipated 2023 tour dates, as Commerford required surgery and recovery time. Despite this immense personal challenge, his commitment to music remains, with his creative energy now channeled into his newest endeavor, 7D7D. This new band serves as a testament to his resilience, showing that even in the face of a serious health crisis, the drive to create and express himself through music is paramount.

7D7D: The New Project Carrying the Torch of Rage

While the status of Rage Against the Machine's reunion remains uncertain, Tim Commerford has wasted no time in launching a new, politically charged musical collective called 7D7D. This project marks a fresh chapter in his career, allowing him to continue exploring the progressive, hard-hitting themes that have always been central to his work. The band made its debut with the single "Capitalism," a title that immediately signals a return to the socio-political commentary that was the hallmark of RATM. The music of 7D7D is described as a blend of progressive and electronic rock elements, showcasing Commerford's versatility beyond the funk-metal sound he is most famous for. The launch of 7D7D in late 2024 and early 2025 highlights a crucial pattern in Commerford’s career: a constant need for new creative outlets. Following the initial RATM split, he formed Audioslave. After Audioslave, he explored experimental music with Future User and raw punk with Wakrat. 7D7D is the latest evolution, proving that Commerford is a perpetual musical innovator who uses his art as a vehicle for his convictions.

5 Shocking Facts and Essential Entities About Tim Commerford

Beyond the music and the health updates, Tim Commerford’s life is filled with fascinating details and essential entities that define his legacy and topical authority within the rock world: 1. The VMA Incident: In 2000, Commerford infamously climbed the scaffolding on the set of the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) after Rage Against the Machine lost the Best Rock Video award to Limp Bizkit. The incident, which led to his arrest, was a visceral protest against the commercialization of music and remains one of the most shocking moments in VMA history. 2. The StingRay Bass Icon: Commerford is intimately associated with the Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay bass. His playing style, which utilizes heavy effects and aggressive techniques, has made the StingRay a staple in modern rock. In a significant 2025 update, Ernie Ball Music Man announced a refresh of his artist series StingRay, offering new finishes and a full-scale design, cementing his status as a gear icon. 3. A Vegan and Fitness Fanatic: Commerford is a dedicated vegan and a passionate fitness enthusiast. His commitment to a healthy lifestyle and intense physical training is a core part of his public persona, which made his cancer diagnosis particularly striking to fans. He is known for his love of mountain biking and other extreme sports. 4. The Prophets of Rage Supergroup: After the second RATM hiatus, Commerford, Morello, and Wilk teamed up with rappers Chuck D (Public Enemy) and B-Real (Cypress Hill) to form the supergroup Prophets of Rage. The project aimed to continue the legacy of politically charged music, blending the instrumental power of RATM with the vocal fire of hip-hop legends. 5. The Future User Experiment: Before 7D7D, Commerford delved into a highly experimental progressive/electronic project called Future User. The band was known for its unconventional sound and controversial music videos, showcasing Commerford's desire to constantly push musical boundaries beyond the constraints of his famous bands.