In a recent, candid interview, Jonny Greenwood, the lead guitarist of Radiohead, revealed a surprising and deeply personal story about his secret romantic relationship with Jocelyn Pook, a member of the band PJ Harvey. Known for their distinctive and experimental sound, both Radiohead and PJ Harvey have often been seen as fierce musical competitors. However, the competition that was most significant for Greenwood went beyond music—into the realm of a forbidden romance.
Greenwood opened up about the affair, describing how he and Pook managed to keep their relationship a secret from their respective bands. “I love Jocelyn Pook from PJ Harvey,” Greenwood admitted. “It was a strong rivalry between us, and we had to keep it a secret. If the other band members had known we were seeing each other, it would have been a disaster.” This revelation adds a layer of intrigue to the complex relationship between two of the most influential figures in alternative music from the 1990s and 2000s.
Both Radiohead and PJ Harvey have earned their places in rock history, with PJ Harvey often being praised for her raw, emotionally charged vocals and boundary-pushing compositions. Her ability to blend intense vulnerability with fierce strength made her a standout in the alternative rock scene. Greenwood, too, is known for his experimental approach to music with Radiohead, who have consistently pushed the boundaries of modern rock with albums like OK Computer and Kid A. While the two bands shared similar experimental approaches, their musical styles were also often at odds, creating a natural rivalry in the music industry.
Greenwood described the lengths he and Pook went to in order to maintain their secret romance. “We met several times, but always in secret. We would go to motels or find secluded places when the bands weren’t together,” he shared. The secrecy and the effort to conceal their relationship created its own challenges. “It wasn’t easy to keep it from the band. The sneaking around was difficult, but it was worth it while it lasted,” he confessed.
For years, their love affair remained hidden, with both bands completely unaware of the relationship between their members. Greenwood eventually came clean to his bandmates, admitting to the romance only after he and Pook, his then-girlfriend, broke up. The decision to reveal the affair came with its own set of consequences, but Greenwood expressed that it had been an important part of his personal life.
This revelation sheds new light on the personal lives of two of the most iconic figures in modern rock music, adding a layer of emotional depth to the legacy of both Radiohead and PJ Harvey. It also emphasizes the complex and sometimes contradictory nature of relationships in the highly competitive world of music.
