some blokes...
| Chapter 1: Radiohead are a 5 piece band, and still haven't split
up. All the band members are original members, which can only be a good thing.
Radiohead began life in Oxford. They went through many names, (including the famous
'On A Friday'), and eventually settled on the name Radiohead, apparently the title of a
Talking Heads song, and a poor attempt to get radio airplay, (cos the word 'radio' is in
Radiohead, it attracts or something). Every record company wanted them, but they
eventually signed to parlophone on 2nd March 1992.
Chapter 2:
Their first release was the Drill E.P. It's
very rare.
But it was Creep that did it. It went to #1.
In Israel. Nevertheless, eventually the song charted around the world, and Radiohead
became big.
Radiohead were denounced as a one-hit wonder.
They hated it.
They almost broke up. They almost fell apart. But they didn't. |
|
Chapter 3
Radiohead came back with the stunning album
The Bends. Critics everywhere loved it. Other bands loved it. Some of the public liked it
too. Radiohead now had a classic album up their sleeves.
In late 1995, Radiohead recorded Lucky for
the charity album 'Help-War Child' for Bosnia. It was the lead single. Radio 1 didn't like
it. It barely made the top 40. This must be a first: A charity single doing badly.
From then on, Radiohead began touring. And
touring. And touring. And suddenly...
Chapter 4:
In May '97 Radiohead released a new single,
Paranoid Android. It was just a glimpse of what radiohead had in store for all. The single
became their highest charting single in the UK, peaking at #3
In June '97 Radiohead released their stunning
third album 'OK Computer', which recieved praise from all critics, and shot straight to
the number one spot, stayed there for 2 weeks, and then spent bloody ages in the top ten
of the uk chart. In the US, it did poorly, although it hit an all time high of #29.
Radiohead headlined at Glasto '97. Although a
crap gig, everyone said it was the best thing at Glasto for a long time. How scary.
Radiohead began touring again. and touring.
and suddenly, they stopped. now they're on holiday.
Coming soon: Chapter 5, and who can predict
what happens? Perhaps radiohead will release their 4 album which sells by the bucketload,
and they become the greatest band ever! (Or maybe not)
ok, that was crap. i know. but go to the articles
page, there's some nice band histories in there somewhere.
UK Chart history: (Life hasn't always been sweet for
Radiohead. In fact, their chart history is actually pretty pathetic. Have a look for
yourself. Um. So we're still looking for that #1 single i see...)
Drill (May 1992): Peaked at #101
Creep (first release, September 1992):
Peaked at #78
Anyone Can Play Guitar (February 1993):
Peaked at #32
Pablo Honey (March 1993): Peaked at #25
Pop Is Dead (May 1993): Peaked at #42
Creep (re-release, September 1993):
Peaked at #7
My Iron Lung (October 1994): Peaked at
#24
High & Dry (March 1995): Peaked at
#17
The Bends (March 1995): Peaked at #4
Fake Plastic Trees (June 1995): Peaked
at #20
Just (September 1995): Peaked at #19
Lucky (from Help EP, November 1995):
Peaked at #51
Street Spirit (fade out) (February
1996): Peaked at #5
Paranoid Android (May 1997): Peaked at
#3
OK Computer (June 1997): Peaked at #1
Karma Police (September 1997): Peaked
at #8
No Surprises (January 1998): Peaked at
#4
Radiohead are:
Thom Yorke:
Vocals, guitar, piano.
Jonny Greenwood: Lead guitar, piano, organ, and other instruments.
Ed O'Brien:
Rhythm guitar, vocals.
Colin Greenwood: Bass.
Phil Selway:
Drums.
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