Thom Yorke recalls Michael Stipe's advice on handling fame
Thom Yorke spoke about his long friendship with Michael Stipe during a Rolling Stone conversation with Harry Styles. He remembered Stipe pulling him out of his dressing room during Radiohead's 1995 tour with R.E.M. and offering the advice that if he did not care, others would not either. Yorke said the trick worked when they tested it at a busy Stockholm club.
Yorke and Stipe met when Radiohead opened for R.E.M. on the 1995 Monster tour. Their bond deepened as they toured together and admired each other’s work; Stipe later called Yorke a contemporary he consults about music-industry choices, though he rejected the label of mentor.
Stipe’s guidance also shaped Radiohead’s music: a phrase he suggested during Yorke’s post-OK Computer stress—“I’m not here, this isn’t happening”—became the refrain of “How To Disappear Completely” on Kid A. Yorke later guested with R.E.M. on “E-Bow The Letter” several times, including in 1998 and 2004.
This story may resonate with performers and public figures navigating visibility, suggesting that calm indifference can reduce unwanted attention. Fans and media might reflect on boundaries around celebrities, while mental-health discussions could benefit from Yorke’s openness about fame’s pressures. The anecdote may also strengthen appreciation for cross-generational mentorship in music, showing how advice can shape art and coping strategies.