Radiohead

Radiohead are an English alternative rock group from Abingdon-on-Thames, United Kingdom. The band forms in 1991 and remains active. Its members are Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien and Philip Selway.

Formation and members

Radiohead begin as a band in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and later become based in Abingdon-on-Thames. The group line-up consists of Thom Yorke on vocals, guitar, piano and keyboards; Jonny Greenwood on guitar, keyboards and other instruments; Colin Greenwood on bass; Ed O’Brien on guitar and backing vocals; and Philip Selway on drums and percussion. The band signs to EMI in 1991 and later records for _Xurbia_Xendless Limited, Ticker Tape Ltd and Capitol Records.

Style and collaborations

The band is known for an experimental approach that influences the development of alternative rock. Their music spans alternative rock, ambient pop, art pop, art rock, britpop and chamber pop, and it also incorporates electronic elements. Since 1994, they frequently collaborate with producer Nigel Godrich and cover artist Stanley Donwood.

Albums and key releases

Radiohead’s debut album, Pablo Honey, appears in 1993 and includes the single “Creep,” which becomes a worldwide hit. The Bends follows in 1995 and brings them greater critical and popular success. OK Computer arrives in 1997 and is widely regarded as a landmark record for its complex production and themes of modern alienation.

Kid A is released in 2000 and marks a major stylistic change, bringing in electronic music, jazz, classical music and krautrock. Although it divides opinion at first, it is later seen as one of the best albums of its decade. Amnesiac follows in 2001 from the same recording sessions, and Hail to the Thief in 2003 is their final album for EMI, combining rock and electronic music while addressing the war on terror.

The band self-releases In Rainbows in 2007 as a pay-what-you-want download. The King of Limbs comes out in 2011 and focuses on rhythm through looping and sampling. A Moon Shaped Pool follows in 2016 and features orchestral arrangements by Jonny Greenwood.

Success and recognition

By 2011, Radiohead have sold over 30 million albums worldwide. Seven of their singles reach the UK top 10: “Creep,” “Street Spirit (Fade Out),” “Paranoid Android,” “Karma Police,” “No Surprises,” “Pyramid Song” and “There There.” “Creep” and “Nude” also reach the US Billboard Hot 100 top 40.

The band receives six Grammy Awards and four Ivor Novello Awards, and it has five Mercury Prize nominations, more than any other act. Rolling Stone names Radiohead one of the 100 greatest artists of all time and includes five of their albums in its 500 Greatest Albums of All Time lists. Radiohead are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

Solo work and side projects

Several members release solo albums, including Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Selway and O’Brien. In 2021, Yorke and Jonny Greenwood form the band the Smile.