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On a Friday forms
In 1985, Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, and Phil Selway, friends at Abingdon School in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England, formed a rock band called "On A Friday." They were so named because Fridays were the only day they could all rehearse together.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead -
Period: to
Formation to 9th Studio Album
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Meeting Radiohead's artist
In the late 80s, most of the members of On a Friday were off at University. It's at the University of Exeter where Thom Yorke met Stanley Donwood, who would become the creator of all of Radiohead's album art. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead -
Becoming Radiohead
By 1991, On a Friday had amassed a local following and were regularly playing gigs around Oxford. They began to draw the interest of record producers and labels, and that same year signed a six-album deal with with EMI. At the behest of the label, On a Friday changed the name of their band to "Radiohead," after the song by American rock Band, Talking Heads. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead -
Debut album and the success of "Creep"
Radiohead's debut album, "Pablo Honey," was released in February 1993. Single "Creep," released at the end of 1992, started to gain popularity, first being played on local radio stations and eventually it hit #2 on the US Modern Rock chart, thrusting Radiohead into the limelight. Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead -
"The Bends" and growing recognition
1995 saw the release of Radiohead's second album, "The Bends." Although it received critical acclaim in the UK, reviews elsewhere were mixed and Radiohead had a hard time advancing their success outside of their home country. "The Bends" reached #4 on the British album chart, and is now considered one of Radiohead's best albums among fans and critics. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bends -
The sixth member
In 1994, Radiohead worked with producer Nigel Godrich on two songs from an EP released that year and again in 1995 on "The Bends." In 1997, Radiohead again worked with him again when Godrich produced "OK COmputer." Godrich has produced every Radiohead album since then, and is often called the "sixth member of Radiohead." Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Godrich -
"OK Computer"
On June 16, 1997, Radiohead released their third album, called "OK Computer." The album featured an evolution of Radiohead's music, integrating new sounds that prompted Rolling Stone to call the album a "stunning art-rock tour de force." OK Computer received widespread critical acclaim, and is considered now to be one of the best albums ever made. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead -
A new direction
In 2000, Radiohead released their fourth album, "Kid A." Featuring minimal instrumentation with an electronic bent, "Kid A" debut at #1 around the world while at the same time dividing some fans with its new sound. Today it is also hailed as a landmark album and one of Radiohead's best. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead -
Remembering "Amnesiac"
Less than a year after "Kid A," Radiohead released their fifth album, called "Amnesiac." It was recorded in the same sessions as "Kid A," but released as a standalone album. Although it enjoys less overall acclaim than many of Radiohead's other albums, it is beloved by many fans. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead -
True Love Waits
In November 2001, Radiohead released their only live album to date. "I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings" features performances from "Kid A" and "Amnesiac" and is known for a recording of a fan-favorite, live-only (at the time) song called "True Love Waits." Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead -
"Hail to the Thief"
In 2003, Radiohead released "Hail to the Thief." their 6th studio album. It contains a disjointed collection of songs with more of a return to their earlier style of rock. Written partly in response to the George W. Bush's War on Terror, "Hail to the Thief" is at times both dreamy and ominously uneasy. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead -
Pay what you want
In 2007, Radiohead released their seventh studio album, called "In Rainbows." Radiohead announced ten days before its release that the album was coming available. A link was posted through which to order the album, and Radiohead urged fans to pay for it what they wanted - even if it meant paying nothing. The release of "In Rainbows" made headlines around the world and sparked new conversations about the future of record labels and music business. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead -
"The King of Limbs"
Radiohead relased "The King of Limbs" February, 2011. Their 8th studio album, it initially divided fans, but now enjoys acclaim in Radiohead's canon. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead -
LP 9
Radiohead released their ninth and latest album on May 8, 2016. "A Moon Shaped Pool" came out after the release of two surprise singles. Fans received a long-awaited gift on this album, a proper, studio recording of the longtime fan favorite "True Love Waits." Critically acclaimed, "A Moon Shaped Pool" sits at the top of a distinguished line of albums, heralding what's to come for Radiohead in the future. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead -
Looking ahead
Radiohead continues to record music, tour, and delight fans around the world. Members of the band have branched off into solo releases, movie soundtracks, and composing. Fans wait eagerly for news from the band, particularly for inklings of a new album.
