Thom Yorke Discusses Ex-Partner’s Death on BBC Radio 4’s “Desert Island Discs”: Listen

“When the kids’ mum died, it was a very difficult period and we went through a lot,” Yorke told host Lauren Laverne

Thom Yorke made an appearance on BBC Radio 4 earlier today, going on the “Desert Island Discs” program to discuss the eight pieces of music that he’d take with him if he were to be stranded on a remote island.

The Radiohead frontman chose Scott Walker’s “It’s Raining Today,” Nina Simone‘s “Lilac Wine,” R.E.M.’s “Murmur,” Talking Heads’ “Born Under Punches,” Sidney Bechet’s “Blue Horizon,” Neil Young’s “After the Gold Rush,” and “Freeman Hardy & Willis Acid” by Aphex Twin and Squarepusher. He also chose a performance of Ravel’s “Le Jardin Feérique” by Marielle and Katia Labèque, who he says inspired him to explore writing classical music.

Yorke also spoke with host Lauren Laverne about the passing of his 23-year partner Rachel Owen, who died in 2016 from cancer. “When the kids’ mum died, it was a very difficult period and we went through a lot,” Yorke told Laverne. “It was very hard. She suffered a great deal and my ambition is to make sure that we have come out of it alright, and I hope that’s what’s happening.”

Read more at Pitchfork here and listen to it on the BBC here

Collecting vinyl records, CDs & Memorabilia by Radiohead and Thom Yorke? Explore what’s in at eil.com here

eil.com – the world’s best online store for rare, collectable and out of print Vinyl Records, CDs & Music memorabilia since 1987