RADIOHEAD

Radiohead, an english rock band formed in 1985, consists of 5 members:

1. Thom yorke- lead vocalist, guitarist
2. Jonny Greenwood- lead guitarist, keyboardist
3. Colin Greenwood- bassist
4. Ed O’Brien- backing vocals, effect units
5. Philip Selway- drummer

In this e-book we’ll discuss Radiohead’s career in the years  1991- 2000.

Their first single to succeed internationally- the iconic “creep”, released in 1992, marked the beginning of an amazing career for Radiohead

Formation and first years:

The members met while attending Abingdon School and formed a band called “on a Friday”. After forming in 1985, they started performing at their school and booked local small gigs in Oxford, London. Record labels and producers started showing their interest. Eventually, they signed a 6 albums contract with EMI in 1991 and changed their name to Radiohead.

FIRST ALBUM: Pablo Honey – 1993:

Pablo Honey, their debut album, recorded quickly in an Oxford studio in 1992, with the song “creep”, they immediately started getting attention and formed a small fan base.

“Creep” had been played frequently on Israeli radio, and in March 1993, after the song became a hit, Radiohead hosted their first overseas concert in Tel Aviv.

Despite the international recognition, their debut album received a lot of negative criticism stating it was un-original.

SECOND ALBUM: The Bends – 1995:

The album was driven by dense riffs and ethereal atmospheres from the guitarists, with greater use of keyboards than their debut.

It received many positive reviews for its songwriting and performances.

The singles “Fake Plastic Trees”, “High and Dry”, “Just”, and “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” became successful internationally.  “Street Spirit” placed Radiohead in the top five for the first time. “High and Dry” became a modest hit, but Radiohead’s growing fanbase was insufficient to repeat the worldwide success of “Creep”. The Bends peaked at No. 88 on the US album charts.

THIRD ALBUM: OK Computer- 1997:

OK Computer allowed the band to experiment with song structures and incorporating ambient, avant-garde and electronic influences, prompting Rolling Stone to call the album a “stunning art-rock tour de force”.

The album’s lyrics were inspired by observing the “speed” of the world in the 1990s, as Thom Yorke said in his interviews.

OK Computer was Radiohead’s first number-one UK chart debut, peaked at number 21 in the US charts, and brought them commercial success internationally.

With hits such as “Paranoid Android”, “Karma Police” and “no surprises”, the album earned Radiohead their first Grammy Awards recognition, winning Best Alternative Album and a nomination for Album of the Year.

FOURTH ALBUM: Kid A- 2000:

Kid A featured a minimalist and textured style with more diverse instrumentation, such as programmed electronic beats, strings, and jazz horns.

It debuted at number one in many countries, including the US and the UK.

With hits such as “idioteque”, “the national anthem” and “everything in its right place”, Kid A received a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album and a nomination for Album of the Year in early 2001.

Later on Radiohead released a few more successful albums such as: Amnesiac (2001), Hail To The Thief (2003), In Rainbows (2007), The King Of The Limbs (2011), A Moon Shaped Pool (2016).

With their touching lyrics and unique sound, Radiohead shaped and influenced the 90’s rock and music industry.

In my opinion, Radiohead is one of the best bands to ever exist, till this day, creating countless masterpieces and iconic, timeless singles and albums.

Radiohead continues to be creative and innovative, since the 20 century, and continued to do so all the way to the 21.