On June 21, 1997, British art/experimental/alternative rock group Radiohead released its third studio album in the UK. On June 28, OK Computer debuted at #1 on the UK album chart. It would be the first of 5 #1 albums in the UK for the group. Released in the US on July 1, 1997, OK Computer hit #21 on the Billboard 200 Album chart, the group’s best US showing to that time. The breakthrough led to multiple top ten albums for Radiohead in the US in years to come.

Radiohead: Phil Selway, Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Colin Greenwood

Radiohead started work on its third album in 1996, not intending to produce a concept album, but nearly doing so serendipitously. The 12 tracks share a dark tone and theme that has been likened to a modern Dark Side of the Moon – “millennial blues.” Radiohead cites Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew as the inspiration for the album's music, and the writings of Noam Chomsky for its lyrics. The idea behind the album, and the source of its title, came from musings about what music might sound like if a computer could play guitar, i.e. “OK, Computer, show us what you’ve got.”

The recording of OK Computer was sandwiched around a tour, opening for Alanis Morissette. Radiohead self-produced the album, starting out at its converted apple shed studio in Didcot, England, and finishing in the posh surroundings of St. Catherine’s Court, a rural mansion in Bath, England, owned by actress Jane Seymour. Every recording session began with the band jamming out Steely Dan’s “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” and segueing into the intended track.

Five singles were released from the album, and three charted in the UK Top Ten: “Paranoid Android” - #3, “No Surprises” - #4, and “Karma Police” - #8. “Exit Music (For A Film)” was commissioned by the filmmaker of Romeo + Juliet (Leonardo Dicaprio/Claire Danes) and is heard over the end credits (but is not on the soundtrack at Radiohead’s request).

OK Computer was critically acclaimed when released, and has maintained its stature to date. It won the 1998 Grammy for Best Alternative Album. It is ranked as Rolling Stone’s #162 of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.