Thom Yorke

The enigmatic frontman for the U.K. rock group Radiohead, Thom Yorke set the bar by which much of 21st century alternative music was measured through a series of highly acclaimed and popular albums with his group, including Kid A (2000), Hail to the Thief (2003) and In Rainbows (2007). A reclusive figure in his personal life, Yorke opened his soul into his music, which bridged the gap between traditional rock-n-roll and electronic music with intricate, often politically inspired songs. The freshness of the band's sound, driven largely by Yorke's lyrics and soaring vocals made Radiohead one of the biggest rock acts of the late-1990s, due in large part to releasing two of the most beloved rock albums of all time: The Bends (1995) and OK Computer. Yorke himself appeared to shy away from the media attention generated by his band, focusing instead on his work both as a solo artist and with his group. His commitment to producing memorable music and the intensity with which he delivered it made Thom Yorke one of the most noted figures in 21st century popular music.