Henry Rollins

Henry Rollins
Frank Schwichtenberg · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Henry Rollins
Birth name	Henry Lawrence Garfield
Birth date	1961-02-13
Birth place	Washington, D.C., United States
Occupation	Musician; vocalist; writer; actor; spoken-word artist; radio host; activist
Years active	1979–present

Henry Rollins Henry Rollins (born Henry Lawrence Garfield, 1961) is an American vocalist, writer, spoken-word performer, actor and activist known for his intense stage presence and prolific output. He rose to prominence in the early 1980s punk rock and hardcore scenes and later became a radio and television commentator, touring spoken-word artist, published author and occasional film actor. Rollins's career intersects with numerous bands, record labels, venues and cultural institutions across punk, alternative rock and independent media.

Early life and education

Rollins was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in a family that moved frequently, living in Bowie, Maryland, Los Angeles, Bethesda, Maryland and other suburbs. He attended schools in Maryland and California and was exposed to regional scenes including the Southern California punk milieu around venues such as The Masque and communities linked to bands like Black Flag and Germs. During his adolescence he connected with peers from scenes represented by labels such as SST Records, Epitaph Records and Dischord Records, development that shaped his engagement with DIY touring and independent publishing tied to outlets like Maximum Rocknroll and Punk Planet.

Music career

Rollins became prominent as frontman for the hardcore punk band that emerged from the Los Angeles scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s, sharing stages with acts such as Dead Kennedys, Circle Jerks, Black Flag and Minor Threat. He later formed the Rollins Band, whose lineup included musicians associated with SST Records, 2.13.61 and touring networks that connected to festivals like Lollapalooza and clubs linked to promoters from Sub Pop and Touch and Go Records. The Rollins Band recorded for labels and collaborated with producers who worked with artists such as Tom Waits, Fugazi and Soundgarden, and toured internationally alongside groups including Nirvana, Jane's Addiction and Rage Against the Machine. Rollins's musical output spans hardcore punk, post-hardcore and alternative metal, and his performances have taken place at venues like CBGB, Madison Square Garden, Hollywood Palladium and European festivals such as Wacken Open Air.

Spoken-word, writing and broadcasting

Beyond music, Rollins developed a prolific spoken-word career with tours that brought him into literary and performance spaces tied to institutions like The Public Theater, Violet Club venues, and festivals associated with South by Southwest and Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He authored books and collections published through imprints connected to independent presses, working in the same publishing ecosystem as authors who have appeared on lists from The New York Times and outlets such as Rolling Stone, Spin and Village Voice. Rollins hosted radio programs and podcasts that aired on stations in the networks of BBC Radio, KEXP, and satellite services parallel to SiriusXM, and collaborated with journalists from NPR, The Guardian and The Washington Post on commentary about touring, culture and international travel. His essays and journals intersect with reporting on locations including Iraq, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and regions visited during extensive global touring.

Acting and film work

Rollins has appeared in films and television series alongside actors and directors linked to studios such as Miramax, A24 and independent producers who work with festivals like Sundance Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival. His credits include roles in genre films and mainstream productions where he shared screen space with performers from The Sopranos, The X-Files and ensembles associated with HBO dramas and MTV productions. Rollins has also contributed voice work for animated projects and video games produced by companies in the ecosystem of Electronic Arts, Activision and independent studios, and has participated in documentary projects screened at venues including Tribeca Film Festival and South by Southwest.

Activism and public speaking

Rollins is active in advocacy and public speaking, delivering talks at institutions such as Harvard University, UCLA, California Institute of the Arts and conferences organized by groups like TED, SXSW and nonprofit coalitions associated with human rights organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. He has spoken on topics intersecting with veterans' affairs, first responders and international humanitarian issues, participating in benefit concerts and campaigns alongside artists and organizations affiliated with UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders and veteran support networks connected to USO events. Rollins has also worked with coalitions that include journalists from CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera when addressing conflict zones and refugee crises.

Personal life and interests

Rollins maintains residences and travels frequently, engaging with communities in cities such as Los Angeles, New York City, Melbourne and London. His personal interests include endurance training, long-distance road trips in vehicles similar to those promoted by automotive shows referencing Jeep and Land Rover, collecting rare books and vinyl connected to labels like Sub Pop and Factory Records, and exploring global music scenes from Brazil to Japan. He has collaborated with peers from across scenes including photographers, publishers and musicians associated with Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Thurston Moore and Anthony Kiedis.

Category:1961 births Category:American singers Category:American writers Category:American actors