Thom Yorke Biography

(Singer, Musician, Songwriter)

Birthday: October 7, 1968 (Libra)

Born In: Wellingborough

A versatile English musician, Thom Yorke is a multifaceted artist best known as the vocalist, songwriter and pianist of the rock band Radiohead. Apart from playing the piano, he is also an expert at playing the drum and the bass guitar. Considered one of the most influential singers of the contemporary era, Yorke’s debut solo album, ‘The Eraser’ received immense critical and commercial success, which catapulted him to instant stardom. As the lead singer of ‘Atoms of Peace’, he was recognised as one of the most influential figures of music and was included in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Yorke was born with a visual impairment and underwent almost five surgeries, which restored his eyesight. These ailments did not deter his spirits and soon enough, he transformed himself into a cult figure and a youth icon. His popularity and fame also brought out the environmentalist and humanitarian in him as he has spoken about various social and contemporary issues.

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Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In October

Nick Name: Tchock, Tchocky, Dr. Tchock

Also Known As: Thomas Edward Yorke

Age: 55 Years, 55 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Rachel Owen

children: Agnes Yorke, Noah Yorke

Born Country: England

Rock Singers Lyricists & Songwriters

Height: 5'5" (165 cm), 5'5" Males

Diseases & Disabilities: Depression, Visual Impairment

Ideology: Environmentalists

  • 1

    What is Thom Yorke's role in the band Radiohead?

    Thom Yorke is the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the band Radiohead.

  • 2

    What inspired Thom Yorke's solo album "The Eraser?"

    Thom Yorke's solo album "The Eraser" was inspired by his concerns about climate change and global politics.

  • 3

    How did Thom Yorke's music evolve from Radiohead to his solo work?

    Thom Yorke's music evolved from Radiohead's experimental rock sound to a more electronic and ambient style in his solo work.

  • 4

    What are some recurring themes in Thom Yorke's lyrics?

    Themes of anxiety, alienation, and environmentalism are recurring in Thom Yorke's lyrics.

  • 5

    How does Thom Yorke incorporate political messages into his music?

    Thom Yorke often incorporates political messages in his music through lyrics that address social issues such as climate change and government corruption.

Childhood & Early Life
Thom Yorke was born in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England. He started playing the guitar at the age of seven and formed his first band at the age of ten.
Born with a visual impairment, Yorke had to undergo several surgeries as a youngster and was often made fun of by his classmates, due to his surgical scars.
He attended the Abington School for Boys along with fellow guitarist, Ed O’Brien and bassist, Colin Greenwood. They later formed the band, ‘Friday’.
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Career
He was the lead singer and song writer of the band and they included Phil Selway as the drummer and Jonny as the harmonica player, keyboardist and guitarist. However, the band temporarily split, till they reunited to record a series of demo tapes.
One of these tapes, ‘Manic Hedgehog’, drew the attention of a recording company, EMI, who signed the group in 1991 for a ‘six album deal’. The following year, the band was renamed ‘Radiohead.
In 1992, EMI released the debut EP of Radiohead and "Creep", the album’s single became Radiohead's first charting hit on the Billboard countdown.
In 1995, their second album, ‘The Bends’, was released and earned them great critical acclaim and success. The album was ranked No.110 on the list of "500 Greatest Albums of All-Time" list.
They released their next album, ‘OK Computer’ in 1997, which catapulted them to international stardom. The album climbed to the No.1 position on the UK album charts, which put more pressure on the band to come up with a follow-up hit.
Their 2003 album, ‘Hail to the Thief’, reflected the apocalyptic post-9/11 world. After their contract with EMI expired, the band took a decision which allowed their fans to decide the amount they wanted to pay for the copy of the 2007 album, ‘Rainbows’.
In 2009, he worked on a parallel project with Flea, the bassist of Red Hot Chili Peppers and long-time Radiohead producer, Nigel Godrich.
Major works
‘The Eraser’, his debut solo album, was released on 10th July, 2006. The album climbed to the #3 position on the UK Albums Chart and was ranked #2 on the Billboard 200 in the United States, selling over 90,000 copies in its first week. It was nominated for both the Mercury Music Prize as well as the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 2007.
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Awards & Achievements
Rolling Stone ranked Yorke No. 66 on its list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time" and was referred to as ‘one of the most influential singers of his generation."
One of the albums of Radiohead, ‘OK Computer’ was ranked 17th in Classic Rock Magazine’s list of the ’30 greatest concept albums of all time’.
Personal Life & Legacy
Currently, he lives in Oxfordshire, near his hometown, with his long-time partner Rachel Owen, whom he met while studying at Exeter University. They have two children, Noah and Agnes.
An ardent environmentalist, he supported the Friends of the Earth's climate change campaign, "The Big Ask."
Facts About Thom Yorke

Thom Yorke has a unique dancing style that fans have dubbed the "Thom Yorke dance." It's a quirky and endearing way he moves to the music during live performances.

Yorke once participated in a charity auction where the winning bidder got to have tea and cake with him. This shows his willingness to engage with fans in a more personal and intimate setting.

Yorke is known for his environmental activism and support for sustainability. He has spoken out on issues such as climate change and has taken steps to reduce his own carbon footprint, such as touring with a minimal environmental impact.

Yorke has a passion for visual art and has collaborated with artists such as Stanley Donwood on album artwork for Radiohead. His appreciation for the visual arts adds another dimension to his creative talents.

Awards

Grammy Awards
2009 Best Alternative Music Album Winner
2002 Best Recording Package Winner
2001 Best Alternative Music Album Winner
1998 Best Alternative Music Performance Winner

See the events in life of Thom Yorke in Chronological Order

How To Cite

Article Title
- Thom Yorke Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thomas-edward-yorke-3003.php

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