Thom Yorke

A hero is someone who has done something great, someone who is admired by his/her brave deeds and noble qualities. My hero has inspired millions to just go for your dreams no matter what people say or do. He showed the world that even a handicap can make it all the way. Someone who was never believed in, someone who was made fun of all his life. One of the most inspiring and respected musicians of all time. Thom Yorke.

My hero, Thom Yorke, was born October 7, 1968 in Wellingborugh, Northam England. At birth his left eye was parallelized and was in permanent condition. He has gone through five eye operations before the age of six but the last of the operations was not successful therefore giving Yorke a “drooping” eye that he still suffers from today. Because of his eye problem, Yorke was humiliated and made fun of by students in schools. This caused him to suffer from each move from school to school until he and his family finally settled in Oxfordshire in 1978. This is where Yorke met future band members Ed O’Brien, Phil Selway, Colin Greenwood, and Colin’s younger brother Jonny.

Yorke received his first guitar when he was seven. Mainly inspired by guitarist Brian May of the English rock band Queen, at age 11, Yorke formed a band with his friends (Jonny, Ed, Phil, and Colin) and wrote his first song. The band was called “On A Friday” because the only days the band could rehearse were on Fridays (later known as Radiohead). Jonny and Ed provided guitar, Phil played drums, Colin played bass, and Thom provided vocals. Yorke also was the principal songwriter of the band because “nobody else would do it” he said. In 1991 the band signed a record deal with Parlophone and changed their band name to the one currently known as Radiohead. The band gained notice with their worldwide hit single “Creep”. Attendees of Radiohead's early gigs often exhibited little interest in the band's other songs and only interested in one song (Creep). Yorke described these fans as “Creep fans” not Radiohead fans. Bands like Oasis had no problem being a “one hit wonder” band. Yorke did. Yorke wanted to be known as a band that wasn’t famous for just one song. He wanted everyone to hear all his music. So he decided to not play their hit single Creep in any concert for a whole tour. A rumor spread that the band actually was “booed” for not playing the song. But later fans respected Radiohead and started to like their other songs. And now, Radiohead, as well as Thom Yorke, are very well respected today.

There are two main things that inspire me the most about Thom Yorke. The music he creates and how persistence he is. His music and lyrical writing changed me. The way I feel about the world and just changed me in general. He never gave up in writing his music. And now, he is well known for that. He is one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century and will always be remembered.

In conclusion, Thom Yorke is a hero and a great man. Going through such a tough life and getting around it is just so amazing to me! He will always be known and will never be forgotten. As long as his music plays, he will never truly die.