Rolling Stone Magazine

Rolling Stone named Radiohead one of the 100 greatest artists of all time.

Rolling Stone named Radiohead one of the 100 greatest artists of all time and included five Radiohead albums in its lists of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The magazine has been a key chronicler of the band's career, documenting their rise from early grunge comparisons to their status as experimental pioneers.

Last updated 2026-09-29 from the source article.

Quick Facts

Affiliation: Independent Media; External Press
Status: Active Observer

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

Rolling Stone's relationship with Radiohead spans decades, from early reviews of Pablo Honey that compared them to grunge acts like Nirvana to later acclaim for albums like OK Computer, which the magazine hailed as a landmark record. The magazine included five Radiohead albums in its lists of the 500 greatest albums of all time, and named the band one of the 100 greatest artists of all time. Radiohead were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, an honor often covered and celebrated by Rolling Stone.

Reader's Guide

Rolling Stone Magazine serves as the historian of Radiohead's cultural impact, not a participant in their creative conflicts. Its journalists and editors have covered the band from the outside, documenting key moments: the worldwide hit of 'Creep', the critical rise with The Bends in 1995, the landmark status of OK Computer in 1997, and the experimental turn of Kid A in 2000. The magazine has tracked Radiohead's self-released In Rainbows (2007), their exploration of rhythm on The King of Limbs (2011), and Jonny Greenwood's orchestral arrangements on A Moon Shaped Pool (2016). Through cover stories and album rankings, Rolling Stone has framed the band's narrative for mainstream audiences, ensuring their experimental risks are preserved in the cultural record.

Did You Know?

Rolling Stone ranked The Bends at No. 111 in its 2012 edition of the 500 greatest albums.
Rolling Stone later named Kid A the best album of the decade, despite its initial divisive reception.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Rolling Stone Magazine in relation to Radiohead?

Rolling Stone acts as an independent cultural chronicler that has documented the band's career since their emergence in the early 1990s. As a major external media outlet, it serves as a primary source for critical analysis and historical context regarding the group's evolution.

What role does Rolling Stone play in Radiohead's legacy?

The magazine functions as an observer that validates the band's artistic significance through high-profile cover stories on their major album releases. Its reviews and features help shape public perception of the band's impact on modern music culture.