Coldplay

Artist Image: Coldplay
Attribution

Biography

Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a drummer, backing vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist, completing the line-up. Manager Phil Harvey is often considered an unofficial fifth member. The band renamed themselves "Coldplay" in 1998, before recording and releasing three EPs; Safety in 1998, Brothers & Sisters as a single in 1999 and The Blue Room in the same year. The latter was their first release on a major label, after signing to Parlophone. They achieved worldwide fame with the release of the single "Yellow" in 2000, followed by their debut album released in the same year, Parachutes, which was nominated for the Mercury Prize. The band's second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), was released to critical acclaim and won multiple awards, including NME's Album of the Year, and has been widely considered the best of the Nelson-produced Coldplay albums. Their next release, X&Y, the best-selling album worldwide in 2005, was met with mostly positive reviews upon its release, though some critics felt that it was inferior to its predecessor. The band's fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), was produced by Brian Eno and released again to largely favourable reviews, earning several Grammy nominations and wins at the 51st Grammy Awards. On 24 October 2011, they released their fifth studio album, Mylo Xyloto, which was met with mixed to positive reviews, and was the UK's best-selling rock album of 2011. The band has won a number of music awards throughout their career, including seven Brit Awards winning Best British Group three times, four MTV Video Music Awards, and seven Grammy Awards from twenty nominations. As one of the world's best-selling music artists, Coldplay have sold over 55 million records worldwide. In December 2009, Rolling Stone readers voted the group the fourth best artist of the 2000s. Coldplay have been an active supporter of various social and political causes, such as Oxfam's Make Trade Fair campaign and Amnesty International. The group have also performed at various charity projects such as Band Aid 20, Live 8, Sound Relief, Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief, The Secret Policeman's Ball, and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed 1996
Number of Albums 94
Record Label Parlophone
Website
Wikipedia Coldplay on Wikipedia
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Trivia

Where did Coldplay's singerpianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer Will Champion meet?

University College London

...ckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion, met at University College London and came together from 1996 to 1998. During these two years, ...
Who is often referred to as the fifth member by the band?

Phil Harvey

...rfish and, finally, to Coldplay. Creative director and former manager Phil Harvey is often referred to as the fifth member by the band. They recorded ...
When did the band release two EPs?

Safety in 1998 and The Blue Room in 1999

...ember by the band. They recorded and released two EPs: Safety in 1998 and The Blue Room in 1999 . The latter was their first release on a major record ...
In what year did Coldplay release The Blue Room?

1999

... They recorded and released two EPs: Safety in 1998 and The Blue Room in 1999 . The latter was their first release on a major record label, after signi...
In what year did Coldplay release Safety?

1998

... fifth member by the band. They recorded and released two EPs: Safety in 1998 and The Blue Room in 1999. The latter was their first release on a major...
What was the name of the band's second album?

A Rush of Blood to the Head

...was nominated for the Mercury Prize. The band's second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), was released to critical acclaim and won many awards...
A Rush of Blood to the Head was released in what year?

2002

...the Mercury Prize. The band's second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head ( 2002 ), was released to critical acclaim and won many awards, including NME's ...
X&Y was the bestselling album worldwide?

2005

...of the Year. Their next release, X&Y, the bestselling album worldwide in 2005 , received mostly positive reviews, though some critics felt it was infer...
What was the bestselling album worldwide in 2005?

X&Y

...d won many awards, including NME's Album of the Year. Their next release, X&Y , the bestselling album worldwide in 2005, received mostly positive revie...
What album was the bestselling worldwide album in 2008?

Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

...nferior to its predecessor. Their fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), the bestselling album worldwide of 2008, was ...
When was Coldplay's first majorlabel release?

summer of 2000

...of Britishbred sensation Coldplay's first majorlabel release in the summer of 2000 , music journalists have written that the band doesn't quite fit in ...
Who described the hordes of thuggish, blustering numetal bands as Identikit juniorleague punk outfits?

Tom Sinclair

...hem apart from bubblegum pop stars, aggressive rap artists, and what Tom Sinclair of Entertainment Weekly described as the hordes of thuggish, bluster...
Coldplay has sold millions of records, earned numerous major awards, and garnered praise from music critics all over what?

world

...erous major awards, and garnering praise from music critics all over the world . In an article in Maclean's magazine, Coldplay guitarist Jon Buckland e...
Coldplay lend their music to commercials selling cars, sneakers, or what else?

computer software

...han lending their music to commercials selling cars or sneakers or computer software . In spite ofor perhaps because ofthe ways in which they differ fr...
What is the most important thing in music for Coldplay?

connecting to listeners on an emotional level

...zine, Coldplay guitarist Jon Buckland explained that connecting to listeners on an emotional level is the most important thing in music for us. We're ...
What did we want to be a reaction against?

soulless rubbish

...fting without being pompous.... We wanted to be a reaction against soulless rubbish . The birth of a sensation The members of Coldplay met and became f...
Who did Martin meet at University College London?

Will Champion, Guy Berryman and Jonny Buckland

...He attended University College London, where he met Will Champion, Guy Berryman and Jonny Buckland , who would become his bandmates. With Martin as lea...
What was Coldplay's debut album called?

Parachutes

...as lead singer, rhythm guitarist and pianist, Coldplay's debut album, Parachutes , topped the charts in the U.K. and won a Grammy Award. Martin is also...
When was Martin born?

Exeter, Devon, England

...n was born Christopher Anthony John Martin on March 2, 1977, in Exeter, Devon, England , the eldest of five children to a teacher and an accountant. Af...
What degree did Martin receive at University College in London?

Ancient World Studies

...niversity College in London, where he graduated with a degree in Ancient World Studies . During the college's orientation week in 1996, he met guitaris...
When did Coldplay release their debut album, Parachutes?

2000

...nd Will Champion on the drums. Coldplay Albums and Songs 'Parachutes' In 2000 , the band, now known as Coldplay, released their debut album, Parachutes...
What is the name of the free encyclopedia?

Simple English Wikipedia

...From Simple English Wikipedia , the free encyclopedia Jump to navigation Jump to search This article needs to be updated. Coldplay is an English rock b...
In what year did Coldplay form?

1996

...eeds to be updated. Coldplay is an English rock band formed in London in 1996 . Coldplay became famous around the world with their 2000 song Yellow. Th...
Coldplay formed in what city?

London

...article needs to be updated. Coldplay is an English rock band formed in London in 1996. Coldplay became famous around the world with their 2000 song Y...
How many records have Coldplay sold worldwide?

over 90 million

...ay is one of the most successful bands of the 21st century, selling over 90 million records worldwide. Will Champion joined as a drummer and backing v...
Who joined Coldplay as a drummer?

Will Champion

...ands of the 21st century, selling over 90 million records worldwide. Will Champion joined as a drummer and backing vocalist who plays various instrume...
Coldplay is a British Rock band consisting of who?

Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion

...1996) are a British Rock band, consisting of Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion , best known for their songs 'Viva La Vada', ...
What are Coldplay's best known songs?

'Viva La Vada', 'Paradise' and 'Fix You'.

...Berryman and Will Champion, best known for their songs 'Viva La Vada', 'Paradise' and 'Fix You'. Together, the pair formed a group called 'Pectoralz',...
How many copies of Coldplay's first EP were available for sale?

50

...y. Career: In 1998, they released their first EP, entitled 'Safety'. Only 50 copies became available for sale, as the other 450 were distributed among...
What was the name of the first EP Coldplay released?

Safety

...and; Coldplay. Career: In 1998, they released their first EP, entitled ' Safety '. Only 50 copies became available for sale, as the other 450 were distr...
Coldplay signed with what new label in 1999?

Parlophone

...s their first single. Also in 1999, the band signed with a new label, Parlophone , and made an appearance at Glastonbury Festival. Between November 199...
When did Coldplay release their ninth set?

2021

... freshfaced rock group with big aspirations and an even bigger sound. In 2021 , they issued their ninth set, Music of the Spheres. Bandmembers Chris Ma...
What was the name of Coldplay's ninth album?

Music of the Spheres

... and an even bigger sound. In 2021, they issued their ninth set, Music of the Spheres . Bandmembers Chris Martin (vocalspiano), Jonny Buckland (guitar)...
Who played the guitar for Coldplay?

Jonny Buckland

... set, Music of the Spheres. Bandmembers Chris Martin (vocalspiano), Jonny Buckland (guitar), Will Champion (drums), and Guy Berryman (bass) were all b...
What instrument did Chris Martin play as a child?

piano

...n into musical households. Martin, the eldest of five, began playing the piano as a young child and later took solace in the work of Tom Waits. Buckla...
Who did Buckland grew up with the heavy guitar sounds of?

Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix

..., on the other hand, grew up with the heavy guitar sounds of Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix . Scotland native Berryman preferred funk to indie rock, the...
How many pressings did the Safety EP have?

500

...rst gig at a Manchester festival for unsigned bands. The release only saw 500 pressings, as did the subsequent Brothers & Sisters EP. Nevertheless, it...
Coldplay signed a U.K. deal with what company in 1999?

Parlophone Records

... EP. Nevertheless, it was enough to win the band a U.K. deal with Parlophone Records in April 1999, and the fivetrack Blue Room EP arrived that fall. ...
How many tracks did the Blue Room EP contain?

five

... win the band a U.K. deal with Parlophone Records in April 1999, and the five track Blue Room EP arrived that fall. With nods from the media, Coldplay ...
Which song marked the first time a British group went number one in both the United Kingdom and United States in the 21st century?

Viva la Vida

...lbum and their first Album of the Year nomination, while title track Viva la Vida marked the first time a British group went numberone in both the Uni...
What are some of the new musical styles added to the band's original repertoire?

electronica, ambient, pop, R&B, funk, classical, jazz fusion, and progressive rock

...'s original repertoire, including electronica, ambient, pop, R&B, funk, classical, jazz fusion, and progressive rock . They have also been noted for da...
What was Will Champion's birth date?

July 31, 1978

.... April 12, 1978, Kirkcaldy, Scotland) on bass and Will Champion (b. July 31, 1978 , Southampton, England), a guitarist who later switched to drums. Co...
When was Will Champion born?

Southampton, England

...irkcaldy, Scotland) on bass and Will Champion (b. July 31, 1978, Southampton, England ), a guitarist who later switched to drums. Coldplay penetrated t...
How many more Grammy Awards did the group win?

two

... knowledge of all things rock and roll. The latter album earned the group two more Grammy Awards, and singles such as Clocks helped drive the bands to...
What single helped drive the band's total album sales over the 20 million mark?

Clocks

...tter album earned the group two more Grammy Awards, and singles such as Clocks helped drive the bands total album sales over the 20 million mark. Mean...
Who was Martin married to in 2003?

Gwyneth Paltrow

...illion mark. Meanwhile, Martins 200316 marriage to American actress Gwyneth Paltrow earned him celebrity status independent of his musical achievement...
What was the name of Coldplay's 2011 album?

Mylo Xyloto

...chievements. Working again with Eno, Coldplay returned with the sleek Mylo Xyloto (2011), which notably featured a duet between Martin and pop singer ...
Which singer did a duet with in 2011 with Martin?

Rihanna

...oto (2011), which notably featured a duet between Martin and pop singer Rihanna . Later releases included the subdued Ghost Stories (2014), which yield...
Ghost Stories was released in what year?

2014

...d pop singer Rihanna. Later releases included the subdued Ghost Stories ( 2014 ), which yielded the hit singles Magic and A Sky Full of Stars; the upbea...
What are the two most precise adjectives to be addressed to Coldplay?

genuine and pure

...overtures of using their songs in commercial ads. Hence, the words genuine and pure are probably the two most precise adjectives to be addressed to th...
What is the theme of Coldplay's music?

welltrodden love

...they have created melancholic music arrangements with the theme of welltrodden love , yet there is still an earnest optimism within, which most English...
Who is the band's frontman?

Chris Martin

...t passionate, moving, melodic, uplifting and sad record of all time, Chris Martin , the band's frontman, explained. The origin of the band began when M...