Radiohead

All the members of Radiohead, one of England’s most successful bands, were educated at Abingdon. Formed in 1985 as ‘On A Friday‘, the band consists of Thom Yorke OA 1987 (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards), brothers Jonny Greenwood OA 1990 (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments) and Colin Greenwood OA 1987, (bass), Ed O’Brien OA 1986 (guitar, backing vocals) and Philip Selway OA 1985 (drums, percussion).

After signing with EMI, their debut single in 1992 became a worldwide hit. Their third album OK Computer (1997) cemented their place as an internationally known band and is regarded as one of the best all-time albums. By 2011 they had sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and have amassed 17 Top 40 singles and 12 Top 10 albums. The band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

Philip James Selway (born 1967) at Abingdon 1980-1985

Philip came to Abingdon in September 1980 when he was 13. It was during his last year at school that he joined a band called ‘On A Friday‘ named after the day of the week in which it rehearsed in the Ingham Music School. This was the year the band was formed.
After leaving Abingdon, he studied at Liverpool Polytechnic’ (now Liverpool John Moores University) and left the band for a while before rejoining.

Edward John O’Brien (born 1968) at Abingdon 1981-1986

Ed joined Abingdon’s 3rd Year as a boarder in School House in September 1981 when he was 13. Throughout his school career, the school magazine, the Abingdonian, makes several mentions of him playing rugby, cricket and hockey in school teams. During his last year he became a prefect, joined On a Friday, and took the role of Brutus in a ‘well-played and professional production’ of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. 

Thomas Edward Yorke (born 1968) at Abingdon 1980-1987

Thom joined Abingdon’s 1st Year in September 1980 when he was 11. His first mention in the Abingdonian is as the author of a report on a 1982 school trip to Hammarbank in the Lake District, which he declared was both frightening and exhausting. However, mastering Great Gable and Striding Edge left him feeling he could do anything.
A review of a school production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Tom Hollander OA 1985, made particular mention of the music.

The music, which provided a background throughout the play reflecting moods as they shifted, was excellent. It was provided by Donald Cawthorne (electric piano and synthesizer) and Thomas Yorke (bass and guitar) and seemed to be largely a matter of improvisation, providing pace and generally contributing to the atmospheric nature of the production.
The Abingdonian June 1982

The following year, 1985, he took part in the school production of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. where he played the narrator, the reviewer concluding that ‘Tom Yorke was excellent, as was his music.’

Colin Charles Greenwood (born 1969) at Abingdon 1980-1987

Colin joined Abingdon’s 1st Year in September 1980 when he was 11. He makes fewer appearances in the Abingdonian than his brother., which doesn’t necessarily mean took less part in school activities.  In 1986, his performance as the terrified Japanese soldier in The Long, the Short and the Tall was singled out for mention. During his last year at school he chaired the school Debating Society where they:

 … expressed confidence in Mrs Thatcher’s (second) government and welcomed her to a third. We decided to ‘bash the rich’, rejected capital punishment, decided there was hope, and that Christianity had relevance to the modern world, among other things. Finally, a word to the world from the society: take heed of our predictions! Way back in January 1984 we decided that the SDP had no future. Now we stand vindicated.
Abingdonian December 1987

There is no indication as to how the chairman voted.

Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood (born 1971) at Abingdon

Jonny, Colin Greenwood’s younger brother, joined the 1st Year in September 1983 when he was 11. In 1985, on joining the Middle School, he was awarded a Music Exhibition. The school magazine, the Abingdonian, makes several mentions of his performances and compositions, particularly of his use of IT in music.

… with the right hardware – keyboards and the like – surprisingly impressive performances can result. John Greenwood’s efforts in this direction have produced some stunning results. The other day he brought in his own Roland keyboard with a wide palette of sampled sounds, and using a variety of voices, produced some very exciting performances of one of his own compositions.
Abingdonian December 1988