Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien, whose gentle presence often balances out the intensity of Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, has always radiated warmth and introspection. However, behind that calm image, O’Brien has faced one of the darkest chapters of his life.
Ed O’Brien fights with depression
In a new interview with The Times, O’Brien spoke candidly about falling into a deep depression following Radiohead’s last tour. “I was effectively over Radiohead,” he admitted.
“It wasn’t great on the last round. I enjoyed the gigs but hated the rest. We felt disconnected, f***ing spent. It happens. This has been our whole life — what else is there?”
He went on to describe hitting rock bottom in 2021, a “very long dark night of the soul.” Yet, from that darkness came clarity.
“One of the things that was lovely coming out of it was realising how much I love these guys,” he said, referring to his bandmates.
O’Brien’s honesty underscores an age-old truth in rock music. No amount of success, fame, or artistic achievement can insulate someone from depression.
The Radiohead legend’s path, however, took a different turn. During the pandemic, while much of the world was isolated, he turned to Instagram Live sessions — intimate, rambling, and often quietly emotional broadcasts where he spoke about music, mindfulness, and hope.
For many fans, they became a source of comfort in an uncertain time. As one viewer put it, “Just seeing him talk was like a light in the middle of lockdown.”
That connection is perhaps what defines O’Brien’s endurance. He didn’t retreat behind fame or hide behind the myth of the tortured artist. He opened up, and in doing so, helped others feel less alone.
Kurt Cobain’s tragic story of depression leading to suicide remains one of the most haunting stories in rock history. Even Thom Yorke has spoken about his own struggles with alienation and anxiety.
Rockstars struggling with mental health
Chester Bennington, the late frontman of Linkin Park, was one of the most prominent voices to embody that struggle. Behind his powerful screams, the man battled lifelong trauma, addiction, and depression. Despite worldwide fame and adoration, Bennington’s internal battle proved insurmountable. His passing in 2017 left the rock world devastated.
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day has also been open about his own spiral into depression and substance abuse. In 2012, after an onstage breakdown during the iHeartRadio Festival, Armstrong entered rehab, later explaining that he’d been overwhelmed by burnout and anxiety.
From Cobain to Chester Bennington, from Yorke to Billie Joe Armstrong, the list of artists battling depression is long and sobering. But O’Brien’s story is an inspiring one, showing that with the proper support, you can persevere through your darkest times. Hopefully any Radiohead fans struggling can look to Ed as a source of inspiration.
