Ongoing History of New Music

Ongoing History Daily: Thom Yorke’s near-death experience.

Back in 1993, Radiohead, still a new band, found themselves with an unexpected hit with “Creep.” This got them booked by MTV for one of their Beach House performances where an artist set up next to a pool. Radiohead played two songs: “Creep” and “Anyone Can Play Guitar.”

As the second song wound down, Thom Yorke jumped into the pool as the band continued to play. He then got out of the pool and tried to make his way back to the microphone. Had he touched it, the combination of him being wet and the mic being live, he would have been electrocuted.

Fortunately, an alert roadie kicked the mic stand away from Thom just as he was about to grab it. That roadie, whoever he was, could very well have saved Thom’s life.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 40274 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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