# Thom Yorke

> English musician and singer for Radiohead

**Wikidata**: [Q188668](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q188668)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thom_Yorke)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thom-yorke

## Summary
Thom Yorke is an English musician, singer, and composer best known as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter for the influential rock band Radiohead. Born in 1968, he is a multi-instrumentalist who also leads the projects The Smile and Atoms for Peace, contributing significantly to the genres of alternative rock, electronica, and art rock.

## Biography
- **Born**: October 7, 1968
- **Nationality**: United Kingdom (English)
- **Education**: University of Exeter
- **Known for**: Being the lead singer, guitarist, pianist, and composer for Radiohead; founding member of The Smile and Atoms for Peace; pioneering work in alternative rock and electronica.
- **Employer(s)**: Radiohead, The Smile, Atoms for Peace, XL Recordings
- **Field(s)**: Alternative rock, electronica, art rock, intelligent dance music, glitch, music composition, performance, record production

## Contributions
Thom Yorke has built a diverse musical legacy through his leadership in multiple bands and his work as a solo artist and producer.
- **Radiohead**: As a founding member (inception 1985), Yorke has served as the lead singer, guitarist, and primary composer, shaping the band's evolution from alternative rock to experimental electronica and art rock.
- **The Smile**: In 2021, he co-founded this English rock band, expanding his collaborative work with former Radiohead bandmates.
- **Atoms for Peace**: In 2009, he formed this English-American experimental rock band, exploring electronic and glitch music genres.
- **XL Recordings**: His work with Radiohead and other projects has been released through XL Recordings, a British label founded in 1989 known for its diverse roster in electronic and rock genres.
- **Genre Innovation**: He has been instrumental in popularizing subgenres such as intelligent dance music (IDM), glitch, and art rock within the mainstream, blending electronic instruments with traditional rock structures.
- **Multi-Instrumentalism**: Beyond vocals, he actively performs as a pianist and guitarist, contributing to the sonic texture of his projects.

## FAQs
**What bands is Thom Yorke currently associated with?**
Thom Yorke is a member of Radiohead, which formed in 1985, and co-founded the rock band The Smile in 2021. He also leads the experimental group Atoms for Peace, established in 2009.

**What musical genres is Thom Yorke known for?**
His work spans alternative rock, art rock, electronica, and intelligent dance music. He is also associated with the glitch genre and is recognized for his contributions to experimental rock.

**Where did Thom Yorke receive his education?**
He attended the University of Exeter, a public research university located in Exeter, United Kingdom.

**Which record label has released Thom Yorke's music?**
A significant portion of his discography, particularly with Radiohead, has been released through XL Recordings, a British label headquartered in London.

**What instruments does Thom Yorke play?**
In addition to being a lead singer, Yorke is a multi-instrumentalist who plays the guitar and the piano.

## Why They Matter
Thom Yorke has fundamentally altered the landscape of modern rock music by successfully merging organic instrumentation with complex electronic production. His work with Radiohead challenged the conventions of the alternative rock genre, pushing boundaries into art rock and electronica, which influenced a generation of artists to experiment with digital soundscapes. By founding and leading projects like Atoms for Peace and The Smile, he has continued to drive innovation in genres such as intelligent dance music and glitch. His ability to maintain artistic integrity while achieving global recognition has set a precedent for musicians navigating the tension between commercial success and experimental integrity.

## Notable For
- **Founding Radiohead**: A key figure in one of the most influential rock bands of the 1990s and 2000s, formed in 1985.
- **Genre Versatility**: Successfully operating across alternative rock, art rock, electronica, intelligent dance music, and glitch.
- **Multi-Instrumentalist Skills**: Proficiency as a singer, guitarist, and pianist.
- **Band Leadership**: Leading multiple successful projects including Radiohead, The Smile (2021), and Atoms for Peace (2009).
- **Collaboration with XL Recordings**: A long-standing association with the British label known for its eclectic roster.
- **Educational Background**: Alumni of the University of Exeter.
- **Full Name**: Thomas Edward Yorke.
- **Citizenship**: British (United Kingdom).

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Thom Yorke, born Thomas Edward Yorke on October 7, 1968, is a citizen of the United Kingdom. He pursued his higher education at the University of Exeter, a public research university located in Exeter. His early life laid the groundwork for a career that would span multiple decades and genres within the British music scene.

### Career Beginnings and Radiohead
Yorke's professional work period began in 1985 with the inception of Radiohead, an English rock band. He serves as the lead singer, guitarist, and primary composer for the group. Radiohead is recognized for its contributions to alternative rock, art rock, and electronica. The band's inception date is recorded as 1985, and it has maintained a significant presence in the music industry with a high number of sitelinks across various knowledge bases. Yorke's role involves not only performance but also the composition of music in any form, establishing him as a composer and singer-songwriter.

### Expansion into Experimental Projects
Beyond Radiohead, Yorke expanded his musical portfolio by forming Atoms for Peace in 2009. This English-American experimental rock band allowed him to explore genres such as intelligent dance music and glitch. In 2021, he founded The Smile, another English rock band, further demonstrating his commitment to rock and experimental music. These projects highlight his versatility as a multi-instrumentalist and his willingness to explore diverse sonic landscapes.

### Record Label Affiliations
A significant portion of Yorke's output has been distributed through XL Recordings, a British record label founded in 1989. XL Recordings, headquartered in London, is known for its diverse roster of artists across electronic, rock, and hip-hop genres. The label has played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary music, and Yorke's association with them underscores his status as a key figure in the phonographic industry. His work with XL Recordings includes releases that have achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success.

### Musical Roles and Instruments
Yorke is a multi-instrumentalist who plays the guitar and the piano. He is also a singer who performs for a listening audience and a composer who authors music in various forms. His occupation encompasses roles as a musician, singer, composer, singer-songwriter, and pianist. He is also recognized as a human member of the species *Homo sapiens* and a citizen of the United Kingdom.

### Technical Identifiers and Digital Presence
Thom Yorke is identified by numerous unique identifiers across various databases. His Wikidata ID is Q1414861, and he has a MusicBrainz ID of 8ed2e0b3-aa4c-4e13-bec3-dc7393ed4d6b. He is associated with the website http://www.radiohead.com/. His work period is documented as starting in 1985. He has been linked to various social media handles and digital footprints, including Twitter and Instagram accounts under the handle "thomyorke". His full name, Thomas Edward Yorke, is recorded in multiple authoritative sources.

### Influence and Legacy
Yorke's influence extends beyond his own performances to the broader music industry. His work has helped define the sound of alternative rock and has pushed the boundaries of electronic music. By collaborating with XL Recordings and leading multiple bands, he has contributed to the globalization of British music. His ability to blend genres and maintain artistic innovation has secured his status as a cornerstone of the modern music landscape. The legacy of his work is evident in the continued relevance of Radiohead and the success of his subsequent projects like The Smile and Atoms for Peace.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Montreux Jazz Festival Database
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. MusicBrainz
6. Discogs
7. Internet Broadway Database
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. BBC Things
11. [Source](http://iswcnet.cisac.org/)
12. The Guardian
13. The Movie Database
14. Genius
15. YouTube API
16. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/thom-yorke-107a4TC1Ni/appearances)
17. [Thom Yorke MBTI Personality Type: INFP](https://www.personality-database.com/profile/3193/thom-yorke-alternative-grunge-punk-new-wave-mbti-personality-type)