Expert: Sarah Dammyer Date: 11/24/2002 Subject: born of a broken man
Question do you know what "born of a broken man" is about? i absolutely love that song and was wanting to know a little more about it...thanks
Answer Zacks father, and it is the most personal RATM song ever. Zack had never talked about his personal life before that song.
Zacks father, Beto de la Rocha, divorced from Zacks mom, Olivia, when Zack was very very young. Beto was a member of Los Four, a very influential group of four Chicano artists. Zacks father underwent a mental breakdown, and became despondent and hyper-religious, locking himself in a dark room alone, until the police finally came o take him away. I dont think he ever entered a mental institution, but he has gotten better and re-emerged.
I think the song is more about Zacks struggle with seeing his father that way, and promising himself it would never happen to him.
