Coldplay

Biography: The post-Britpop/Alternative Rock band Coldplay formed sometime in 1997. The band originated in London, United Kingdom, and is world-renowned for their rock ballads and deep, cogitative lyrics. The members of Coldplay are: Chris Martin, age 34, on lead vocals, piano/keyboard, guitar. Jon Buckland, age 34, on guitar, harmonica, supporting vocals. Guy Berryman, age 33, on bass guitar, synthe, harmonica, and supporting vocals. Will Champion, age 33, on drums/percussion, piano, supporting vocals. The band members of Coldplay met in University College London (UCL) in September of 1996. Chris Martin first approached Tim Rice-Oxley of band Keane, suggesting that they form a band, but Tim refused. Chris met Coldplay bandmate Jon Buckland first, during frosh week. At the time, Chris was considering forming a boy-band that was not unlike NSYNC, and naming it Pectoralaz. By new year's day of 1998, the band was complete, with Guy Berryman on bass guitar and the multi-talented WillThe post-Britpop/Alternative Rock band Coldplay formed sometime in 1997. The band originated in London, United Kingdom, and is world-renowned for their rock ballads and deep, cogitative lyrics. The members of Coldplay are: Chris Martin, age 34, on lead vocals, piano/keyboard, guitar. Jon Buckland, age 34, on guitar, harmonica, supporting vocals. Guy Berryman, age 33, on bass guitar, synthe, harmonica, and supporting vocals. Will Champion, age 33, on drums/percussion, piano, supporting vocals. The band members of Coldplay met in University College London (UCL) in September of 1996. Chris Martin first approached Tim Rice-Oxley of band Keane, suggesting that they form a band, but Tim refused. Chris met Coldplay bandmate Jon Buckland first, during frosh week. At the time, Chris was considering forming a boy-band that was not unlike NSYNC, and naming it Pectoralaz. By new year's day of 1998, the band was complete, with Guy Berryman on bass guitar and the multi-talented Will Champion learning to play drums. This band was called Starfish. Chris and Jon wrote the songs, which were practised with Guy and Will at every given opportunity. Early on, Coldplay's music sounded similiar to musical acts Jeff Buckley, Kate Bush, Oasis, Radiohead, or Travis. Chris Martin has been personally influenced by U2, and it has been speculated that Coldplay has also been influenced by A-ha, The Beatles, Echo and the Bunnymen, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Pink Floyd, R.E.M., and The Flaming Lips. In 1998, the band was playing small gigs in clubs for local Camden promoters. Chris recruited a friend from his youth, and fellow UCL student, Phil Harvey, to be manager of the band. With Phil's aid, the band raised sufficient funds to record a demo tape, titled 'Ode to Deodarant'. This was the year that the band also released the EP "Safety", only 50 of which were available for sale to the public. In December, the band signed up with indie label Fierce Panda, after founder Simon Williams witnessed a performance. From this label, they recorded a 3-song EP titled "Brothers and Sisters", with a limited 2500 copies available. The band's popularity was slowly growing in the UK, and by the spring of 1999, Coldplay had signed with label Parlophone for a five-album contract, right after completing their University exams. Coldplay's first album was titled "Parachutes" and was released in June of 2000. The song 'Yellow' was applauded by the masses in Europe, who were clammering for an alternative to angry rap-metal songs. In 2002, Coldplay performed at the Glastonbury festival. During the recording of the third EP, "The Blue Room", Chris kicked Will out of the band. After going on a drinking binge, Chris finally coaxed Will to return to Coldplay, where the band set-up a few ground rules, that included a democracy approach to issues. Ever since 2002, Coldplay has been getting more and more socially and politically involved, in such causes as Oxfam's Make Fair Trade and Amnesty International. The band has performed for such charitable causes as Band Aid 20, Live 8, and Teenage Cancer Trust. Lead Chris Martin has been very outspoken about his opposition to the current Iraq invasion, and supported presidential candidate John Kerry. Lead singer Chris Martin married actress Gwyneth Paltrow near the end of 2003, and has since had two children with her. Recently, Jon Buckland got engaged to his girlfriend. Guy Berryman married childhood sweetheart in 2004, and she has since become pregnant. In 2003, Will Champion also married, and they had their first child in 2006. Chris and Jon both had cameo-roles in the movie 'Shaun of the Dead'. Coldplay refuse to let their surge into fame disturb their artistic integrity. Every element of Coldplay's music, production, album artwork, and videos are strictly supervised by the entire band. Coldplay is very protective of it's music, and only rarely is used for advertisements or film; The exceptions to the rule are: The movie trailer to 2003's "Peter Pan"; Once for a spot on PBS; For an upcoming Cancer Research UK campaign. Coldplay has turned down many lucrative offers to use their songs, from such companies as Gatorade ('Yellow'), Diet Coca-Cola ('Trouble'), and The Gap ('Don't Panic'). Coldplay have recieved numerous awards over the past decade, including a Grammy in 2004 of 'Record of the Year' for 'Clocks'. As of 2006, Coldplay has 15 released singles, 3 albums, and 1 live-album. Coldplay has already completed three of their five Parlophone contract albums; 2000's "Parachutes", 2002's "A Rush of Blood to the Head", 2005's "X&Y", and 2008's "Viva la Vida" or "Death and All His Friends".… Expand