radiohead

Radiohead (left to right): Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway Background information Origin Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England Genre(s) Alternative rock

Electronica

Experimental rock Years active 1985–present Label(s) XL, TBD (2007–present)

Parlophone, Capitol (1992–2005) Website www.radiohead.com Members Thom Yorke

Jonny Greenwood

Colin Greenwood

Ed O'Brien

Phil Selway

Radiohead are an English alternative rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The band is composed of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano, beats), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboard, other instruments), Ed O'Brien (guitar, backing vocals), Colin Greenwood (bass guitar) and Phil Selway (drums, percussion).

Radiohead released their first single, "Creep," in 1992. The song was initially unsuccessful, but it became a worldwide hit several months after the release of their 1993 debut album, Pablo Honey. Radiohead's popularity rose in the United Kingdom with the release of their 1995 second album, The Bends. The band's textured guitar parts and Yorke's falsetto singing were warmly received by critics and fans. Radiohead's third album, 1997's OK Computer, propelled them to greater international fame. Featuring an expansive sound and themes of modern alienation, OK Computer has often been acclaimed as a landmark record of the 1990s.

2000's Kid A, and the following year's Amnesiac, marked a change in Radiohead's musical style. They incorporated experimental electronic music, Krautrock, post-punk and jazz influences into their songs, dividing fans and critics, but they remained popular. Hail to the Thief (2003), a mix of guitar-driven rock, electronics and lyrics inspired by headlines, was the band's final album for their major record label, EMI. Radiohead independently released their seventh album, In Rainbows (2007), originally as a digital download for which each customer could set their own price, later in stores, to critical and chart success. Radiohead have sold approximately 30 million albums as of 2008.[1][2]

Radiohead's work has appeared in a large number of listener polls and critics' lists.[3][4] For example, in 2005, Radiohead were ranked number 73 in Rolling Stone's list of "the greatest artists of all time."[5] While the band's later albums brought them a wide audience,[6] their earlier sound on The Bends and OK Computer remained influential on British rock music.

Contents [hide] 1 History 1.1 Formation and first years (1985–1991) 1.2 Pablo Honey, The Bends and early success (1992–1995) 1.3 OK Computer, fame and critical acclaim (1996–1998) 1.4 Kid A, Amnesiac and a change in sound (1999–2001) 1.5 Hail to the Thief and a hiatus (2002–2004) 1.6 In Rainbows and independent work (2005–present) 2 Style and songwriting 3 Collaborators 4 Discography 5 Awards and nominations 6 References 7 Sources 8 Further reading 9 External links //

History

Formation and first years (1985–1991) Abingdon