Jonny Greenwood

Jonny Greenwood

Jonny Greenwood is an English musician and score composer from Oxford, United Kingdom. He is best known as the lead guitarist in Radiohead, and has been active since 1985. His work in the band also includes piano, organ, viola, synths, glockenspiel, harmonica and the Ondes Martenot, along with other devices used to shape Radiohead’s sound.

Radiohead and related groups

Greenwood is a member of Radiohead and has also been involved with On a Friday, The Venus in Furs, The Illiterate Hands and The Smile. In Radiohead, he uses a range of instruments beyond guitar, including modular synthesizers, a Korg Kaoss Pad and a laptop for voice clips and modulation on later tracks. He also plays a Rhodes Seventy Three piano, which is a notable feature of the OK Computer period.

Instruments and sound

Greenwood is one of the best-known performers on the Ondes Martenot, an early electronic instrument with a keyboard and slide. He uses it on the film soundtrack to Bodysong and within Radiohead, especially around the Kid A and Amnesiac period, including on songs such as “Pyramid Song” and “How to Disappear Completely”.

Composition and film work

Alongside his work with Radiohead, Greenwood composes music for film and has written several classical works, some influenced by Polish composer Penderecki. He serves as the BBC’s composer-in-residence. His film scores include Bodysong, There Will Be Blood, Norwegian Wood, We Need to Talk About Kevin and The Master.

Style and labels

His work is associated with classical crossover and rock, and his music is also tagged experimental, electronic, instrumental, avant-garde and jazz. He is associated with the labels LLLP and LLP.