Fabrizio Romano & Laverne
3 years ago
United Kingdom EOB, also known as Ed O'Brien, has established himself as an innovative guitarist and songwriter, recognized for his distinctive textural style. As a co-founder of Radiohead, he has contributed to pioneering albums and recently branched into a solo career with his own critically acclaimed releases.
Ed O'Brien collaborated with Fender to design a signature model guitar, the EOB Stratocaster, launched in November 2017. The guitar features a tremolo bridge and a sustainer pickup.
Edward John O’Brien, born on April 15, 1968, in Oxford, England, embarked on his musical journey early in life, playing violin and singing in a choir. While attending Abingdon School in Oxfordshire, he formed a band, ultimately named Radiohead, with schoolmates. His role within Radiohead evolved to focus on creating ambient sounds and textures using various effects, sustain units, and the EBow, complemented by his backing vocals. The band achieved early success with “Creep” from their debut album “Pablo Honey” (1993), gaining international fame with their third album, “OK Computer” (1997), which is often cited as one of the best albums of all time. O’Brien continued to develop his unique sound through subsequent Radiohead albums like “Kid A” (2000) and “In Rainbows” (2007), embracing electronic influences and an experimental approach to guitar playing.
In the 2000s, O’Brien expanded his musical collaborations, touring and recording with the 7 Worlds Collide project alongside Radiohead drummer Philip Selway. After decades dedicated to Radiohead, O’Brien ventured into a solo career, releasing his debut solo album, “Earth,” under the moniker EOB on April 17, 2020. This album incorporated elements of alternative rock, post-Britpop, and dance-rock, and featured collaborations with diverse musicians. The inspiration for “Earth” stemmed from his experiences living in Brazil and attending Carnival, which he described as a “musical eureka moment.” Following the release, O’Brien commenced a North American tour in February 2020, though the full tour was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
O’Brien’s contributions to music have been widely recognized; Rolling Stone named him among the greatest guitarists of all time in both 2010 and 2023. In 2019, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Radiohead. His second solo album, “Blue Morpho,” was released in May 2026, marking a shift to releasing music under his own name, signifying increased confidence in his songwriting. Beyond his musical endeavors, O’Brien is also recognized for his activism, advocating for artists’ rights, environmental protection, and human rights.
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