Who is Thom Yorke and what is he famous for?

Chapter 1 - Thom Yorke

Thom Yorke is an english songwriter and the lead singer of the band Radiohead. He was born on the 7th of October 1968 in Wellingborough. Thom Yorke started playing on guitar when he was seven, mainly because of the famous guitarist from Queen, Brian May. When Thom was eleven he wrote his first song and joined his first band. He later attended a public school (Abingdon) where he met his future band members Colin- and Jonny GreenWood (brothers), Phil Selway and Ed O'Brien. When Thom had finished school, he decided to postpone going to university for a whole year and focus on working. During that time, he met a woman named Rachel Owen whom he later began dating. A while later, he formed the band Radiohead with his members.

 

Chapter 2 - Radiohead

Radiohead is an english rockband which was formed in 1985. The bandbembers are Thom Yorke (lead vocalist), Johnny Greenwood (lead guitar), Colin Greenwood(bass) , Ed O‘ Brien (guitar) and Phil Selway (drums). All of them met at a private school. Radiohead has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide today and the numbers are still counting. They were ranked in 73^rd place in The Rolling Stone’s list of “Greatest Artists of all Time”. Ed O’Brien and Jonny Greenwood were included in the Rolling Stone’s greatest guitarist while Thom Yorke went to their list of greatest singers.  Among their earliest influence was Queen. Then there were also R.E.M , The Pixies , The Smiths, and also Sonic Youth.  Then there were also influences of bands from the 1960’s such as The Beatles and The beach Boys. After a while they sometimes  changed their style from their usual(rock) to something different like adding electronic sounds or using methods from hiphop. The band often used different instruments in their albums. Sometimes Thom Yoke would use keyboards instead of guitar, or Jonny Edwood would use Martenot and other instruments instead of his guitar. They often do this to show their talents, that they can use different methoods. It is often said that Thom Yorke steals the scene so they do this to balance it out.

 

Chapter 3 - Albums  

                                                                                                                                                                                

Their first debut album was released in 1992. The name  of the debut album was Drill. A while later, they made a single which contained a song that is widely recognised:  “Creep”. At  first, the song was rather unsuccessful but then, a couple of months later they released their first commercial album in 1993, Pablo Honey, which included this song and it became a worldwide hit. After a while, listeners from around the world started to notice them. In 1995 they released their second album The Bends which received triple platinum sales in the UK and a single platinum in Canada. Their third album was OK Computer which is one of their most famous albums. Radiohead achieved  their first Grammy award from that album.  Then they made five other albums in order: Kid A(2000), Amnesiac(2001), Hail to the Thief(2003), In Rainbows(2007) and their newest album, King of the Limbs(2011).

 

Chapter 4 - Facts

When Thom Yorke was born, his left eye was closed because doctors told his parents that his eye was paralyzed and that it was untreatable. Still, the parents didn’t stop trying to help him, so they went to an eye specialist. The eye specialist told them to use muscle graft on the eye. Before Thom Yorke was six he had gone through five eye operations. But the last surgery botched his eye so he now has a drooping eyelid.

Thom Yorke has bad relationships with the media. He is often reported to be rather rude.

Jonny Greenwood, the lead guitarist, is the younger brother of Colin Greenwood, the bassist. They joined the band at the same time.

Philip Selway, the drummer,lost his mother when he was on tour to Amsterdam. The band decided to postpone going to Argentina so that Philip could go back to his family. A while later, they returned to Amsterdam to finish what they started.

Ed O’ Brien made soundtracks for drama series which was on BBC. The name of the series was Eureka Street.

Ed O’ Brien is often voted as one of the greatest guitarists of modern era.

 

Chapter 5 – Interview

I interviewed my little brother Louis Gíslason. He is 18 years old and is also in Borgarholtsskóli. He recently started to listen to the band. He really hasn’t listened a lot of it but he likes most of the songs he has listened to from them so far. He has finished two albums which are The Bends and OK Computer. Of the two, he likes The Bends more. I agree with my brother that the Bends was one of their best albums. There are some of his favorite songs in the album and “Just” is one of them. It is a really famous song, probably one of the most famous one in the band. He hasn’t really listened to any other albums so he can’t say much about it, sadly. But he thinks Thom Yorke is an incredible singer and gives him credit for his talents. 

 

Chapter 6 – Conclusion

We find out that the Band is really successful in the music industry, and that Thom Yorke is a highly praised singer. And that the band is respected for their talents. They are still playing at the moment and alive, and they will probably do so for a while. They have strong bonds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 7 - Vocabulary

 

Achieved - to recieve something

Influece - huge impact on something

Postpone - to put off something untill later

Specialist - an expert in something, has knowledge or skills for certain things

Methood - getting some end with accuracy and efficiency

Contained - to have within

Botching - To ruin something by clumsiness

Successful - getting a good position 

Drooping - something that hangs downward (not that) 

Industry - service that is tied with economy