David Byrne remembered the exact moment he fell in love with Radiohead at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Friday.
For me Kid A, was my conversion moment, Byrne told the crowd at Barclays Center. The record joined together electronics with song forms that blew me away. Id never heard anything like it. There are elements and influences of Can and Miles Davis electric period, but this was very different.
Kid Aturns 20 next year. Before being inducted into the Rock Hall, Radioheads Ed OBrien and Philip Selway talked to Rolling Stone about their induction and their first U.S. Number One album.
How did it feel to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Ed: You realize what a big thing it is over here. When we were nominated, I got so many emails from friends and family saying, Well done! You realize the cultural impact. Coming here its like we said out there, its a big fucking deal. I wish the others they would have enjoyed it I think.
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What was their thinking about it?
Phil: They actually had other shows all booked. They couldnt make it. But yes, I think they wouldve been blown away by this evening as well.
What did Thom say when you talked to him about it?
Ed: The last time in January when we were all together he was pleased that Philip and I were able to go because he wasnt able to go. Not just him, but everybody felt like it was a big deal. And even if three people couldnt be there, at least two of us could go. Like Philip says, he gets it.
Whats next for you guys?
Were taking a break from the band. Weve been doing touring. Weve all got other projects that we want to get on with. Were talking at the moment about what excites [us]. Thats always the spark that gets things moving along with us, particularly after 30 years.
What is it like to see your influence?
Ed: I think its really hard to even fathom that. When were not in Radiohead, we just live normal lives, normal middle-class lives with our family. Im always blown away yesterday walking along the street in New York, someone goes, Hey Ed, how are you doing? Its very difficult to tell how we influenced people and its not necessarily something I feel comfortable dwelling upon. We do what we do. Weve always done what we do. And were very lucky. If we influence other people, thats incredible.
I just finished a book about EMI, Selling the Pig, and were mentioned a lot in it. Were mentioned when we left EMI how much of a big blow it is, and I had no idea that we mattered that much to them. That probably sounds really naive. But there werent people going, Youre so important. We were just one of the bands on their roster. Sometimes we dont realize. And I think thats a good place to be.
Next year is the 20th anniversary of Kid A how does that feel?
Ed: My favorite anecdote from that period was doing an interview on the phone with Billboard, and it had gone Number One, and the guy was like, This is the fucking weirdest Number One weve ever had in America. Were like, thats great.
Phil: It was interesting with the OK Computer release that we did. Having a chance to go back in, go through that entire archive and realize how much work was generated at that point. I think theres a similar thing around Kid A as well. Weve not listened back to the outtakes and the other things we were working. I know theres a wealth of stuff there.
Whenever you make a record theres a time when you are collectively, individually, emotionally, physically sometimes you leave these things open. With Ok Computer, we closed that door. Kid A was a difficult album to make. Itll be interesting. Opening that one will be interesting. Itll all come flooding back. It wasnt the happiest of times. But I think the music was pretty good.