Entertainment · Music · 1 day ago
Thom Yorke says Michael Stipe’s advice helped him cope with fame
Thom Yorke said he used to hide in dressing rooms when fame felt overwhelming.
R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe encouraged him to go out and focus less on whether people were watching.
Yorke said the advice worked during a night out in Stockholm.
It helped him see that avoiding the world altogether could feel worse than being recognised.
Thom Yorke said Michael Stipe helped him cope with fame by encouraging him to stop hiding away.
Stipe’s advice was: “If you don’t care, they don’t care. If you’re not looking, they’re not looking.”
Yorke said he tested the advice with Stipe at a busy club in Stockholm and nobody bothered them.
The two musicians became friends after Radiohead supported R.E.M. on its 1995 Monster tour.
Yorke also credited Stipe with advice that later became central to Radiohead’s song “How To Disappear Completely.”
- Who
- Radiohead singer Thom Yorke and R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe.
- What
- Yorke said Stipe’s advice helped him cope with fame and stop hiding away.
- When
- Yorke recalled the advice during a conversation with Harry Styles, reported on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Stipe tested the advice with Yorke at a busy club in Stockholm.
- Why
- Yorke was struggling with fame and was hiding in dressing rooms.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
If you don’t care, they don’t care. If you’re not looking, they’re not looking.
And it works.
It’s not an easy decision to make, but it’s better than the alternative.
forged a friendship through touring together and a mutual respect for each other’s work
Radiohead supported R.E.M. on its Monster tour, and Stipe began encouraging Yorke to leave the dressing room.
Radiohead released Kid A, whose song “How To Disappear Completely” used a phrase Yorke said Stipe had advised him to repeat.
Yorke and Stipe discussed their friendship and the help Stipe had given Yorke with fame in interviews with NME.
NME reported Yorke’s account of Stipe’s advice in a conversation with Harry Styles.
- Tour
- Radiohead supported R.E.M. on the 1995 Monster tour
- Test of advice
- A busy club in Stockholm
- Song
- How To Disappear Completely
- Album
- Kid A, released in 2000
- Article publication
- October 10, 2026
Sources
Related news
Rosalía Performs “Reliquia” En Pointe and “Magnolias” in the Rain on SNL
Bronchitis forces Barry Manilow to cancel Las Vegas shows
Frank Carter has man removed after dispute over women’s mosh pit in Denver
The Raconteurs Reunite onstage at Jack White’s Nashville Show
Charli XCX brings Tinashe onstage at Austin City Limits Festival
Ella Langley cancels Tulsa concert after security threat, returns to stage in Texas
Geordie Greep Cancels Five US Shows After Misconduct Allegation
Ella Langley Cancels Tulsa Concert After Security Threat Report
Journey drummer Deen Castronovo hospitalized after Tulsa concert emergency
Mike Love faces serious health challenges, John Stamos says
Alanis Morissette announces her first holiday album, due Nov. 6
