Thom Yorke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thom Yorke
|
|
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
Yorke in 2018
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Thomas Edward Yorke |
| Also known as |
|
| Born | 7 October 1968 Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England |
| Origin | Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England |
| Genres |
|
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | XL |
| Signature | |
 |
|
Thomas Edward Yorke (born 7 October 1968) is an English musician. He is best known as the lead singer and main songwriter for the rock band Radiohead. Thom Yorke plays guitar, bass, keyboards, and other instruments. He is famous for his high singing voice, called a falsetto. Rolling Stone magazine has called him one of the most important singers of his time.
Yorke started Radiohead with his school friends in Oxfordshire. They became well-known with their first hit song, "Creep". Radiohead has sold over 30 million albums. Early on, Yorke was inspired by bands like the Pixies and R.E.M.. With Radiohead's fourth album, Kid A (2000), Yorke began exploring electronic music. He has often worked with producer Nigel Godrich and artist Stanley Donwood.
Thom Yorke also creates electronic music on his own. His first solo album, The Eraser, came out in 2006. To play these songs live, he formed a band called Atoms for Peace. This band included Nigel Godrich and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. They released an album, Amok, in 2013. Yorke's other solo albums are Tomorrow's Modern Boxes (2014) and Anima (2019).
In 2021, Yorke started a new band called the Smile. He formed it with Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood and drummer Tom Skinner. The Smile has released three albums. Yorke has also worked with many other artists and composed music for movies and plays. This includes the films Suspiria (2018) and Confidenza (2024).
Yorke supports causes like protecting the environment, fair trade, and peace. His songs often include themes about society and politics. He has been open about his views on the music industry. In 2019, he was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Radiohead.
Template:TOC limit=3
Contents
Early Life and School
Thom Yorke was born on 7 October 1968 in Wellingborough, England. He was born with a problem in his left eye. He had five eye operations by age six. Yorke said the last surgery was "botched," leaving him with a drooping eyelid. He decided not to have more surgery. He felt it made him unique and was something to be proud of.
His family moved often because his father was a nuclear physicist. They lived in Lundin Links, Scotland, until Yorke was seven. They settled in Oxfordshire in 1978. Yorke knew he wanted to be a rock star after seeing Queen guitarist Brian May on TV when he was eight. He got his first guitar as a child. By age 11, he was in his first band and wrote his first song.
Yorke went to Abingdon School, a private school for boys. He felt different from other students. He found comfort in music and art classes. He wrote music for a school play. He also took classical guitar lessons with his future bandmate Colin Greenwood. His teachers saw him as a deep thinker and experimenter.
Starting a Band: On a Friday
In 1985, Yorke formed a band called On a Friday with Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, and Philip Selway. Colin's younger brother, Jonny, joined later. They named the band On a Friday because that was the only day they could practice. Yorke became the main songwriter for the group.
After school, Yorke took a year off to try to become a musician. He had different jobs and made a demo tape. He was in a serious car accident that later inspired some of his song lyrics. On a Friday was offered a record deal, but the band members decided to go to university first. Yorke studied English and art at the University of Exeter. While there, he met Stanley Donwood, who would become Radiohead's album artist, and his future wife, Rachel Owen.
On a Friday started playing together again in 1991 after most members finished their degrees.
Music Career
Becoming Radiohead and "Creep"
In 1991, On a Friday signed with EMI and changed their name to Radiohead. They became famous with their first single, "Creep", from their 1993 album, Pablo Honey. Yorke later grew tired of "Creep" because it was so popular. He felt it was no longer "their song."
Yorke found it hard to deal with Radiohead's early success. He became very focused and sometimes difficult. He later apologized to his bandmates for his behavior during that time.
The Bends and OK Computer
Recording Radiohead's second album, The Bends (1995), was challenging. The band felt pressure to follow up "Creep." Yorke especially struggled. The Bends was engineered by Nigel Godrich, who became a long-time collaborator with Yorke. The album was praised and helped Radiohead gain more fans worldwide. It influenced many other bands.
Radiohead's third album, OK Computer (1997), was also very successful. It made Radiohead one of the top rock bands of the 1990s. Yorke again found the attention difficult. He felt overwhelmed by the fame.
Around this time, Yorke sang on other artists' songs. He worked with Sparklehorse and Drugstore. He also sang on the Unkle track "Rabbit in Your Headlights" with DJ Shadow. This song showed his move towards experimental electronic music. For the 1998 film Velvet Goldmine, Yorke and Jonny Greenwood formed a band called the Venus in Furs to cover songs.
Exploring Electronic Music: Kid A and Amnesiac
After the OK Computer tour, Yorke felt unable to write new music. He moved to Cornwall to recover. During this time, he listened mostly to electronic music artists like Aphex Twin. He found this music very emotional, even without human voices.
Radiohead used Yorke's electronic influences on their next albums, Kid A (2000) and Amnesiac (2001). They used synthesizers, drum machines, and samplers. These albums were different from their earlier work but were very successful. Kid A was named the best album of the decade by Rolling Stone.
In 2000, Yorke sang on songs for PJ Harvey and Björk. In 2002, he performed at the Bridge School Benefit, a charity concert. Radiohead released their sixth album, Hail to the Thief, in 2003. It mixed rock and electronic music. Yorke wrote many of its lyrics about world events and becoming a father.
Solo Work and In Rainbows
Yorke recorded his first solo album, The Eraser, in 2004. It was made using computers and electronic sounds. He wanted to try working alone. He made it clear that Radiohead was not breaking up. The Eraser was released in 2006 and was nominated for a Mercury Prize and a Grammy Award.
In 2007, Radiohead released their seventh album, In Rainbows. They offered it as a pay-what-you-want download. This was a big deal in the music world. Yorke said it showed Radiohead's belief in the value of music.
Atoms for Peace and Collaborations
In 2009, Yorke formed a new band, Atoms for Peace. This band helped him perform songs from The Eraser live. The band included Nigel Godrich, Flea, drummer Joey Waronker, and percussionist Mauro Refosco. Yorke enjoyed playing with new musicians.
Atoms for Peace released their album, Amok, in February 2013. They then toured Europe, the US, and Japan. Yorke also contributed music to the 2010 documentary When the Dragon Swallowed the Sun. In 2011, Radiohead released their eighth album, The King of Limbs. Its music video for "Lotus Flower", showing Yorke's unique dancing, became very popular online.
Tomorrow's Modern Boxes and A Moon Shaped Pool
Yorke released his second solo album, Tomorrow's Modern Boxes, in September 2014. He released it through BitTorrent, a way to share files online. It was downloaded over a million times in its first six days. Yorke and Godrich hoped this would give artists more control over their music.
In 2015, Yorke created a soundtrack called Subterranea for a Radiohead art show in Australia. He also composed music for a play called Old Times in New York City.
Radiohead released their ninth album, A Moon Shaped Pool, in May 2016. Many felt its lyrics were about Yorke's separation from his partner, Rachel Owen. Yorke also sang on "Beautiful People" from Mark Pritchard's 2016 album.
Film Scores and Anima
Yorke composed his first movie soundtrack for the 2018 horror film Suspiria. It was released in October 2018. The soundtrack featured an orchestra and choir, and Yorke's son, Noah, played drums. The song "Suspirium" was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Yorke's third solo album, Anima, was released in June 2019. It became his first number-one album on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart. It was also nominated for three Grammy Awards. A short film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson accompanied the album.
For the 2019 film Motherless Brooklyn, Yorke wrote "Daily Battles." In April 2020, Yorke performed a new song, "Plasticine Figures," from his home. He also worked with artists like Four Tet and Burial again.
The Smile and Recent Projects
In May 2021, Yorke started a new band called the Smile with Jonny Greenwood and jazz drummer Tom Skinner. They made their surprise debut at Glastonbury Festival. Critics said the Smile sounded like a more experimental version of Radiohead.
In October 2021, Yorke and Stanley Donwood created an art exhibition for Radiohead's Kid A album. They also contributed to a free digital experience called Kid A Mnesia Exhibition for PlayStation 5 and computers.
The Smile released their first album, A Light for Attracting Attention, in May 2022. They then began a European tour. Yorke also wrote two songs for the TV show Peaky Blinders. He helped produce Sus Dog (2023), an album by Clark.
In 2024, the Smile released two more albums, Wall of Eyes and Cutouts. Yorke composed the music for the 2024 film Confidenza. He also produced a song for his wife, Dajana Roncione, for an Italian film. In October 2024, Yorke began a solo tour called "Everything."
Yorke reworked Radiohead's Hail to the Thief album for a stage play of Hamlet that opened in April 2025. He also collaborated with Mark Pritchard on an album called Tall Tales, released in May 2025. An exhibition of Yorke and Donwood's Radiohead artwork is planned for August 2025.
Artistry
Thom Yorke usually writes the first ideas for Radiohead songs. Then, Jonny Greenwood and the other band members add their parts. Yorke's solo music is mostly electronic. It is often described as "beat-driven" and thoughtful.
Yorke has worked with producer Nigel Godrich on most of his projects. He says Godrich helps him improve his music. Yorke believes that being creative means always trying new things and learning. He compares the creative process to surfing, where you wait patiently for the right wave.
Instruments and Vocals
Yorke plays many instruments, including guitar, piano, bass, and drums. He also uses electronic instruments like synthesizers and drum machines. He enjoys writing songs at the piano.
Yorke does not read sheet music. He says it is not the best way to express rhythms. He has a very wide singing range and is known for his falsetto voice. His voice is often described as "sweet," "haunting," and "instrument-like." He sometimes uses software to change his voice, making it sound unique.
In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked Yorke as one of the most influential singers of his generation. They said his voice influenced bands like Muse and Coldplay.
Lyrics and Themes
Yorke's early lyrics were very personal. Later, he started to experiment by cutting up words and phrases and putting them together randomly. He sometimes chooses words for their sound rather than their meaning. A study in 2021 found that Yorke uses a large vocabulary in his songs.
Yorke often uses common phrases and expressions in his lyrics. He wants to show how people try to make sense of words and images every day. His lyrics often reflect his concerns about politics and the environment. For example, the 2003 Radiohead album Hail to the Thief had lyrics about world events and politics. His 2006 song "Harrowdown Hill" was about a British weapons expert.
Many of Yorke's lyrics express feelings of worry or unease. He has said that he wants his songs to open up ideas rather than close them.
Dance and Influences
Yorke often dances during his performances. He started dancing more after Radiohead released Kid A, as many songs did not require him to play guitar. His dancing is described as "erratic" and unique.
As a child, Yorke loved artists like Queen, R.E.M., Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Bob Dylan. He was greatly influenced by Neil Young, who taught him to be honest in his singing. He also credits Jeff Buckley for giving him the confidence to use his falsetto voice.
Yorke has said that Pixies, Björk, and PJ Harvey "changed his life." He also said Radiohead was inspired by R.E.M. He admired how the Beastie Boys worked independently and their activism. Starting with Kid A, Radiohead was influenced by electronic artists like Aphex Twin.
Artwork
Since 1994, Yorke has created artwork for Radiohead and his other projects with Stanley Donwood. They met as art students. Donwood says Yorke likes to "mess things up" in their art, creating a fun competition. Yorke is sometimes credited for artwork under names like the White Chocolate Farm or Tchock.
Activism and Views
Music Industry Views
Yorke has often spoken about the music industry. He felt that the early fame of Radiohead was too focused on image. He also became wary of music journalists after some negative articles.
Yorke has supported new ways to release music. After Radiohead's contract with EMI ended in 2003, he questioned why bands needed big record companies. Radiohead's 2007 album In Rainbows was released as a "pay-what-you-want" download. Yorke felt this removed barriers between artists and fans.
In 2013, Yorke and Nigel Godrich criticized music streaming services like Spotify. They removed their music from Spotify for a time. Yorke felt that new artists were not paid enough by these services. He encouraged artists to connect directly with their fans. Their music was later added back to Spotify in 2017.
Environmental Causes
Yorke became very concerned about climate change around 2000. He said he was "terrified" after having children. In 2003, he became a spokesperson for the environmental group Friends of the Earth. He knew he would be criticized but felt it was important.
In 2006, Yorke and Jonny Greenwood performed at a concert to support a new law on climate change in Britain. Radiohead also studied how to reduce their carbon footprint on tour. They chose venues with public transport, used low-energy lights, and encouraged reusable plastics.
Yorke has continued to support environmental causes. In 2009, he attended climate change talks in Copenhagen. In 2011, he joined the Rainbow Warrior III, a ship used by Greenpeace to monitor environmental damage. He performed at a climate change conference in Paris in 2015.
Other Causes
In 1999, Yorke supported the Jubilee 2000 movement, which called for canceling the debt of poorer countries. He believes that wealthy countries should be more fair in trade.
The music video for Radiohead's 2007 song "All I Need" was made with MTV EXIT. This project raises awareness about human trafficking and modern slavery. Yorke sees this as an important issue.
In 2011, Yorke played a secret DJ set for Occupy activists. He has also spoken out against certain government policies. He opposed Brexit and joined a march for a second referendum in 2019. In 2024, he signed a statement against using copyrighted work to train AI without permission.
Yorke is a vegetarian. He has spoken about animal rights, saying people should be aware of the suffering involved in food production.
Personal Life
Thom Yorke was in a relationship with artist and lecturer Rachel Owen for 23 years. They met at university. They married in May 2003 and had a son, Noah (born 2001), and a daughter, Agnes (born 2004).
Yorke and Owen separated in August 2015. Rachel Owen sadly passed away from cancer in December 2016. In September 2020, Yorke married Italian actress Dajana Roncione in Sicily. They live in Oxford.
Yorke's son, Noah, played drums on two songs for his father's 2018 Suspiria album. Noah has also released his own music. Yorke's younger brother, Andy, is also a singer.
Yorke practices meditation and has explored Buddhism. He has dealt with anxiety and finds exercise, yoga, and reading helpful. He also took up surfing, which he says taught him patience in his creative work. In 2023, an extinct stingray species was named Dasyomyliobatis thomyorkei in his honor.
Solo Discography
Studio Albums
- The Eraser (2006)
- Tomorrow's Modern Boxes (2014)
- Anima (2019)
Collaborative Albums
- Tall Tales (2025; with Mark Pritchard)
Film Soundtracks
- When the Dragon Swallowed the Sun (2010; additional music only)
- The UK Gold (2013; with Robert Del Naja)
- Why Can't We Get Along (2018; Rag & Bone short film)
- Time of Day (2018; Rag & Bone short film)
- Suspiria (2018)
- Confidenza (2024)
Albums Produced
- Suspiria (2018)
- Sus Dog by Clark (2023; executive produced)
See also
In Spanish: Thom Yorke para niños
- List of Old Abingdonians
- List of British Grammy winners and nominees
