and | Img_size = 250 | Origin = London, England | Genre = Alternative rock, Post-Britpop | Years_active = 1997–present | Label = EMI, Parlophone, Capitol, Fierce Panda | URL = www.coldplay.com | Current_members = Chris MartinJonny BucklandGuy BerrymanWill Champion }} Coldplay are a British alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1997, the group comprises Chris Martin (lead vocals, keyboards, guitar), Jonny Buckland (lead guitar), Guy Berryman (bass guitar), and Will Champion (drums, backing vocals, other instruments). Coldplay's early material was compared to acts such as Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, U2, and Travis.[1] They achieved worldwide fame with the release of the single "Yellow", followed by their debut album, Parachutes (2000), which was nominated for the Mercury Prize. The band's second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), won multiple awards, including NME's Album of the Year. Their next release, X&Y (2005), received a slightly less enthusiastic yet still generally positive reception. 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.[2] Coldplay have sold over 50 million records worldwide.[3] Since the release of Parachutes, Coldplay have drawn influence from other sources, including Echo & the Bunnymen,[4] Kate Bush, George Harrison[5] and Muse[6] on A Rush of Blood to the Head, Johnny Cash and Kraftwerk for X&Y'' [7] and Blur, Arcade Fire and My Bloody Valentine on Viva la Vida.[8] 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, and the Teenage Cancer Trust.[9] ContentsHistory Formation and first years (1996–1999) ''Parachutes'' (1999–2001) ''A Rush of Blood to the Head'' (2001–04) ''Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends'' (2006–09) Fifth studio album (2009–present) Musical style Activism and commercial endorsements Discography Awards References General Notes Further reading External links History Formation and first years (1996–1999)Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland first met during their orientation week at University College London (UCL) in September 1996. The pair spent the rest of the university year planning a band, ultimately forming a group called Pectoralz.[10] Martin also had recruited his longtime school friend Phil Harvey, who was studying classics at Oxford, to be the band's manager.[11] Coldplay have since accepted Harvey as the fifth member of the group.[12] The band's lineup was completed when Will Champion joined to take up percussion duties. Champion had grown up playing piano, guitar, bass, and tin whistle; he quickly learned the drums, despite having no previous experience.[13] The band finally settled on the name "Coldplay" which was suggested by Tim Crompton, a local student who had been using the name for his group.[14] In 1998, the band released 500 copies of the Safety EP.[15] After completing their final examinations, Coldplay signed to Parlophone for a five-album contract in the spring of 1999.[16] After making their first appearance at Glastonbury, the band went into studio to record a third EP titled The Blue Room.[17] Five thousand copies were made available to the public in October,[18] and the single "Bigger Stronger", received BBC Radio 1 airplay. The recording sessions for The Blue Room were tumultuous. Martin kicked Champion out of the band but later pleaded with him to return, and because of his guilt, went on a drinking binge. Eventually, the band worked out their differences and put in place a new set of rules to keep the group intact. Inspired by bands like U2 and R.E.M., Coldplay decided that they would operate as democracy, and that profits would be shared equally. Additionally, the band determined they would fire anyone who used hard drugs.[19] ''Parachutes'' (1999–2001) In March 1999, Coldplay began work on their debut album, recorded at Rockfield Studios with producer Ken Nelson. They also played on the Carling Tour, which showcased up-and-coming acts.[20] After releasing three EPs without a hit song, Coldplay scored their first Top 40 single, "Shiver". Released in March 2000, it reached number 35 on the UK Singles Chart.[21] June 2000 was a pivotal moment in Coldplay's history: the band embarked on their first headlining tour, including a showing at the Glastonbury Festival. The band also released the breakthrough single "Yellow".[22] The song shot to number four on the UK Singles Chart and placed Coldplay in public consciousness.[23] "Yellow" and "Trouble" earned regular radio airplay in the UK and US.[24] Parachutes was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in September 2000.[25] Having found success in Europe, the band set their sights on North America,[26] and released the album Parachutes there in November 2000.[27] Although Parachutes was a slow-burning success in the United States, it eventually reached double-platinum status.[28] The album was critically well-received and earned a Best Alternative Music Album honours at the 2002 Grammy Awards.[29] ''A Rush of Blood to the Head'' (2001–04) Coldplay returned to the studio in October 2001 to begin work on their second album A Rush of Blood to the Head, once again with Ken Nelson producing. The album was released in August 2002 and spawned several popular singles, including "In My Place", "Clocks", and the ballad "The Scientist".[30] During the extended tour, Coldplay recorded a live DVD and CD, Live 2003, at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion.[31] In December 2003, readers of Rolling Stone chose Coldplay as the best artist and the best band of the year. At that time the band covered The Pretenders' 1983 song "2000 Miles" (which was made available for download on their official website). "2000 Miles" was the top selling UK download that year, with proceeds from the sales donated to Future Forests and Stop Handgun Violence campaigns.[32] A Rush of Blood to the Head won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album at the 2003 Grammy Awards.[33] At the 2004 Grammy Awards, Coldplay earned Record of the Year for "Clocks".[34] X&Y was released in June 2005 in UK and Europe.[35] This new, delayed release date had put the album back into the next fiscal year, actually causing EMI's stock to drop.[36][37] It became the best-selling album of 2005 with worldwide sales of 8.3 million.[38] The lead single, "Speed of Sound",[39] made its radio and online music store debut on 18 April and was released as a CD on 23 May 2005.[40] The album debuted at number one in 20 countries worldwide,[41] and was the third-fastest selling album in UK chart history.[42] Two other singles were released that year: "Fix You" in September and "Talk" in December. Critical reaction to X&Y'' was less enthusiastic than that of its predecessor, with New York Times critic Jon Pareles describing Coldplay as "the most insufferable band of the decade"[43] Comparisons between Coldplay and U2 became increasingly common, although critical reaction to the album was still largely positive.[44] Chris Martin later revealed that the negative remarks made him feel "liberated".[45] From June 2005 to July 2006, Coldplay went on their Twisted Logic Tour, which included festival dates like Coachella, Isle of Wight Festival, Glastonbury and the Austin City Limits Music Festival.[46] In July 2005, the band appeared at Live 8 in Hyde Park, where they played a rendition of The Verve's "Bitter Sweet Symphony" with Richard Ashcroft on vocals.[47] In September, Coldplay recorded a new version of "How You See the World" with reworked lyrics for War Child's Help!: A Day in the Life charity album.[48] In February 2006, Coldplay earned Best Album and Best Single honours at the BRIT Awards.[49] Two more singles were released during 2006, "The Hardest Part" and "What If". The sixth and final single, "White Shadows" was released in Mexico during June 2007. ''Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends'' (2006–09) In October 2006, Coldplay began work on their fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, with producer Brian Eno.[50] Taking a break from recording, the band toured Latin America in early 2007, performing in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico.[51] After recording in churches and other venues in Latin America and Spain during their tour, the band said the album would likely reflect Hispanic influence.[52] The group spent the rest of the year recording with Eno.[53] Martin described Viva la Vida as a new direction for Coldplay: a change from their past three albums, which they have referred to as a "trilogy".[54] He said the album featured less falsetto as he allowed his voice's lower register to take precedence.[55] After the first play, it was freely obtainable from Coldplay's website from 12:15 pm (GMT +0) for one week (achieving two million downloads),[56] until it became commercially available to download on 6 May.[57][58] "Violet Hill" entered the UK Top 10, US Top 40 (entering the Top 10 in the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart) and charted well in the rest of the world.[59] The title track, "Viva la Vida", was also released exclusively on iTunes. It became the band's first number one on the Billboard Hot 100,[60] and their first UK number one, based on download sales alone.[61] On 15 June 2008, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends topped the UK album chart, despite having come on the market only three days previously. In that time, it sold 302,000 copies; the BBC called it "one of the fastest-selling records in UK history".[62] By the end of June, it had set a new record for most-downloaded album ever.[63][64] In October 2008, Coldplay won two Q Awards for Best Album for Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends and Best Act in the World Today.[65] The band followed up Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends with the Prospekt's March EP, which was released on 21 November 2008. The EP features tracks from the Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends sessions and,[66][67] as well as being available on its own, was issued as a bonus disc with later editions of Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.[68] The song "Life in Technicolor II" was released as a single on 9 February 2009. Coldplay performing live outside the [[BBC Television Centre]] during their ''[[Viva la Vida Tour]]'' in 2008 In June, Coldplay began their Viva la Vida Tour with a free concert at Brixton Academy in London.[69] This was followed two days later by a 45-minute performance that was broadcast live from outside BBC Television Centre.[70] "Lost!" became the third single from the album, featuring a new version with Jay-Z. Coldplay performed the opening set on 14 March 2009 for Sound Relief at the Sydney Cricket Ground and then played a sold-out concert later that same night.[71] Sound Relief is a benefit concert for victims of the Victorian Bushfire Crisis and the Queensland Floods.[72] In 2009, Coldplay was nominated for four BRIT Awards: British Group, British Live Act, British Single ("Viva la Vida") and British Album (Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends).[73] At the 51st Grammy Awards in February 2009, Coldplay won three Grammy Awards in the categories for Song of Year for "Viva la Vida", Best Rock Album for Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, and Best Vocal Pop Performance by a Duo or Group for "Viva la Vida".[74][75] On 15 May 2009, Coldplay released a live CD, entitled LeftRightLeftRightLeft that was recorded at various shows during the tour. LeftRightLeftRightLeft was to be given away at the remaining concerts of their Viva la Vida tour. The CD is also available as a free download from their website.[76] Fifth studio album (2009–present)Following the Viva la Vida Tour, Coldplay announced another "Latin America Tour" to take place in February and March of 2010, in which they will visit countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Colombia.[77] In October 2009, Coldplay won Song of the Year for "Viva la Vida" at The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Awards in London.[78] Since April 2009, Coldplay have been recording their fifth studio album. The band reportedly are working with Brian Eno again.[79] In December 2009, it was reported that the band have been recording in a North London church.[80] Musical styleColdplay's musical style has been defined as alternative rock, being compared to Radiohead and Oasis.[81][82] The band's music has been called "meditative" and "blue romantic"; it "[reflects] on their emotions" and Martin "endlessly examine[s] his feelings".[83] In a review for A Rush of Blood to the Head, the songs were considered to contain "lush melodies and a heartbreak" and that they had a "newfound confidence."[84] The music on X&Y'' has been considered to be "ruminations on Martin's doubts, fears, hopes, and loves."[85] Coldplay acknowledge the Scottish alternative rock band, Travis, as a major influence on their earlier material.[86] Activism and commercial endorsements Make Trade Fair, abbreviated as MTF, shown on Chris Martin's piano during a concert Despite Coldplay's worldwide popularity, the band has remained protective of how their music is used in the media, refusing its use for product endorsements. In the past, Coldplay turned down multi-million dollar contracts from Gatorade, Diet Coke, and Gap, who wanted to use the songs "Yellow", "Trouble", and "Don't Panic" respectively.[87] The song "Viva la Vida" was featured in a commercial for the iTunes Store, advertising its exclusive availability of the single as a digital download on iTunes.[88] Coldplay supports Amnesty International.[89] Martin is regarded as one of the most visible celebrity advocates for fair trade, supporting Oxfam's ongoing Make Trade Fair campaign.[90] He has been on trips with Oxfam to assess conditions, has appeared in its advertising campaign, and is known for wearing a "Make Trade Fair" wristband during public appearances (including at Coldplay concerts).[91] The band were also filmed for Make Poverty History, clicking their fingers. During the early years, Coldplay became widely known in the media for claims they gave 10 percent of the band's profits to charity,[92] which they continue to do.[93] Bassist Guy Berryman said, "You can make people aware of issues. It isn't very much effort for us at all, but if it can help people, then we want to do it."[94] and Barack Obama in 2004 and 2008 respectively.[95] In June 2009, Coldplay began supporting Meat Free Monday, a food campaign started by Sir Paul McCartney which attempts to help slow climate change by having at least one meat free day a week.[96] From 17 and 31 December 2009, Coldplay auctioned a quantity of significant band memorabilia, including their first guitars, on eBay. Proceeds went to Kids Company, a charity which helps vulnerable children and young people in London.[97] A month later in January 2010, Coldplay performed a slightly modified version of "A Message", entitled "A Message 2010", at the Hope For Haiti Now telethon special, raising money for the victims of the Haitian Earthquake.[98] Discography Parachutes (2000) A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) X&Y (2005) Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008) Awards List of awards and nominations received by Coldplay References General Notes Further reading External links Official website Coldplay featured on the 8 February 2009 edition of 60 Minutes. 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