- Gerard Way witnessed the World Trade Center towers collapse on Sept. 11, 2001, inspiring him to pursue a career in music with My Chemical Romance.
- My Chemical Romance became one of the most influential rock bands of the 2000s, blending emo and alternative rock to capture post-9/11 angst.
- After disbanding in 2013, My Chemical Romance reunited in 2019 and is celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album “The Black Parade” with a tour in 2026.
Long before Gerard Way was the frontman of My Chemical Romance, he was a comic book illustrator trying to figure out what came next. Then, on Sept. 11, 2001, Way witnessed the World Trade Center towers collapse in New York, an experience that made him rethink the direction of his life. He turned to music, and what began as a response to one of the darkest days in American history would eventually become My Chemical Romance, one of the most influential rock bands of the 2000s.
In interviews since Sept. 11, 2001, Gerard Way has described the impact of seeing the World Trade Center collapse as “surreal.” The New Jersey-born comic book illustrator took inspiration from the profundity of the day’s events to change the direction of his life. Citing a feeling that he didn’t want to continue doing what he was doing, Way was inspired to do something he found more meaningful with his life.
Gerard Way Turned His Experience Into Music
The then-24-year-old channeled the experience into music, writing “Skylines and Turnstiles” as a response to the attacks. He quickly formed My Chemical Romance with drummer Matt Pelissier. Ray Toro, his brother Mikey Way and later Frank Iero joined the group. The newly formed band recorded its debut album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, in 2002.
My Chemical Romance Defined the 2000s
My Chemical Romance went on to become one of the era’s defining bands, combining emo and alternative rock while perfectly capturing the post-9/11 angst that dominated pop culture.
Their 2004 album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge produced songs including “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” and “Helena,” while 2006’s The Black Parade transformed them from alternative-rock darlings into a mainstream phenomenon. “Welcome to the Black Parade” became the band’s defining song and cemented their legacy with a generation of fans.
My Chemical Romance Is Still Making Music
My Chemical Romance split in 2013 but reunited in 2019. In 2026, they’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Black Parade with their Long Live the Black Paradetour.
Twenty-five years after witnessing the World Trade Center collapse, Gerard Way’s decision to pursue a more meaningful path helped give rise to one of the defining rock bands of a generation. My Chemical Romance turned the emotions of a pivotal moment in American history into music that continues to resonate with fans decades later.
This story was originally published byParadeon Sep 11, 2026, where it first appeared in theEntertainmentsection. Add Parade as aPreferred
