Coldplay

Coldplay Artistfacts

  • 1998-
    Chris MartinVocals, piano
    Jonny BucklandGuitar
    Guy BerrymanBass
    Will ChampionDrums
  • The band met while they were going to University College in London. Guy Berryman is from Scotland (he is from Kirkcaldy near Edinburgh), and the rest of the band is from England.
  • The group was originally called Pectoralz, then Starfish, before finally settling on Coldplay in 1998. They are named after a British psychology book called Child's Reflections, Cold Play.
  • A contrast to Oasis, they are known as one of the nicest bands in England.
  • Chris Martin married Gwyneth Paltrow (the actress in Sliding Doors, Shakespeare In Love) on December 5, 2003. They have a daughter named Apple and a son named Moses.

    Martin and Paltrow announced their separation in March 2014, after 10 years of marriage; Paltrow filed for divorce in April 2015.
  • Martin is in the 2004 movie Shaun Of The Dead, playing a zombie. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • Gwyneth Paltrow first agreed to go on a date with Chris Martin because they were often romantically linked in the press. "It's funny because people had started writing that we were going out and we had never even met. And then he was in Los Angeles doing a concert and an actress that he had a crush on was supposed to come to the concert. When she didn't show up, he was so annoyed that he said, 'Oh, this is for my girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow,'' she recalled to The Sun. "Then people were saying, 'What's going on?' I was like, 'I've never met this guy, I've no idea!' And because of that, because people were writing about it, we ended up meeting at a concert and there you go. So, thank you!"
  • William Willett (1856-1915), who came up with the idea of changing the clocks for British summer time, is Chris Martin's great-great grandfather. Martin explained to Melody Maker: "He used to ride his horse early in the mornings in summer and no one else would be up. He thought it was a real shame that people were missing these hours of sunlight, so he had the idea of shifting the clock forward so it stayed light longer in the evening."
  • Chris Martin has synaesthesia, a neurological condition he shares with Lorde, Pharrell and John Mayer that can make him see sounds as colors. "I don't think that's unusual for songwriters," he told The Wall Street Journal. "When I think of other people's songs or albums, often a color comes to mind. The last album we made was supposed to be more silver and blue - two tones, quiet nighttime. With this one we're trying to do our whole spectrum. The colors we're missing within the band we tried to bring in with guests and other producers."
  • PETA named Chris Martin "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" in 2005. After separating from Gwyneth Paltrow, he started eating meat again, later describing himself as a "pescatarian who eats turkey."
  • Coldplay drummer Will Champion played a musician-turned-traitor in the Game of Thrones Season 3 episode "Rains of Castamere."
  • During Coldplay's early days, Chris Martin had a flatmate named Tim Prompton, who had a band called the Patina Motive. It was Crompton who came up with Coldplay's name.
  • Coldplay made their live debut at The Laurel Tree in Camden, London, on January 16, 1998. Tickets cost £4, and 115 people showed up.
  • The front cover of Coldplay's debut album, Parachutes, features a photograph of a spinning globe as taken by Martin on a disposable camera. Martin purchased the globe from the British stationery store WHSmith for £10.
  • Chris Martin's aunt was married to the former British prime minister Winston Churchill's late grandson, The Honourable Julian Sandys.
  • Coldplay split their royalties equally among all four members. U2 and REM are among the other bands to have taken this democratic approach to their earnings.
  • The band briefly went under the name Los Unidades for their 14th EP, Global Citizen – EP 1. The EP was released ahead of Martin's appearance at Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 in Johannesburg on December 2, 2018.
  • Will Champion's mother, Sara Champion, was a pioneer in the field of archaeology and her work has had a lasting impact. She was a tireless advocate for women in archaeology and was instrumental in developing the internet as a tool for archaeological research.

    Sara Champion succumbed to cancer aged 54 in May 2000. To honor her enduring legacy, the Prehistoric Society hosts an annual Sara Champion Memorial Lecture, a testament to her groundbreaking contributions. Her funeral coincided with the day Chris Martin filmed the music video for "Yellow." The Parachutes album was dedicated to her.

Comments: 34

  • Luna Loud from Royal Woods, MichiganI just wanna say that whoever said that only Christian or Jewish people can write good music (not their exact words but that was the jist of it) is ignorant and a tool. Btw Coldplay rule!
  • Nicole from UsaI haven’t read all of the comments.
    Has anyone seen someone waste away, skin and bones?
    Liver failure.
    Substance and alcohol use?
    Yellow.
    Someone that had a chance at life; but dying.
    “All of the stars shine for you.”
    Death. Stars are dead.
  • Jill from Schuylkill County, PaYou're missing quite a few B-sides from the song list, like Crests of Waves, I Bloom Blaum, For You, Proof, Sleeping Sun, etc. One more thing. Coldplay are the best band ever and if you think otherwise you can f--k off.
  • Shadow from Depression, VaWell, Coldplay is my 2nd favorite band (1st is Linkin Park), and they used to be my favorite band of all time. Their song "Talk" is my favorite by them, it is a genius song.
    They never put that Chris Martin does piano on here.
    It's pure beauty, their sound is. They have I think 5 albums to date, here's a list
    "Parachutes", 2000
    "A Rush Of Blood To The Head", 2002
    "X&Y", 2005 (which in my opinion is their greatest album yet)
    "Viva La Vida", 2008
    "Mylo Xyloto", 2011

    For some weird reason a lot of people don't like Coldplay, saying their songs are all the same.
    Well, I say to them, F*ck you, because Coldplay is absolutely AMAZING.
  • Jess from Washington, Dc, DcColdplay are not Scottish, Guy is the only one who was born in Scotland. But anyway, I think they're great. My favorite band. Their songs are really moving and the great thing is most people can relate to the songs one way or another. It's great to hear Chris sing "Is there anybody out there who is lost and hurt and lonely too?" when I'm upset. I agree with what someone else said, they aren't masters of any of their instruments but when they get together, magical songs form.
    Viva la Vida is an astounding album coming from a band who has written 3 albums of beautiful, softer and slower piano and acoustic guitar pieces.
    Nicest band in England? I would have to agree. All 4 of them seem so much more like real people then some celebrities. I'd love to meet chris, he seems like a giant ball of enthusiasm and energy (especially at shows) hahahaha
  • Noe from Los Angeles, CaColdplay to me is a religious band. Most of their song are played in a heart and soul harmony, and the lyrics are about love in a majestically sense. I don?t know what religion they are but I?m guessing Christian or Jewish. Only person of those religion can write songs like that.
  • Danny from Des Moines, IaThese bands is not a rock.
  • Rachel from London, EnglandThe Scientist and In My Place are such good songs they both made me cry. I can see why Coldplay have been so successful.
  • Sharayah from Madera, Cai abosolutley love Coldplay In My Plac is a very touching song . i justlove how it grabs at the heart and makes you feelings come out !!!!!!!!!!!
  • Carissa from Seattle, WaOn the song Speed of Sound base line was intended to be like the song of Kate Bush's called Running Up That Hill. Chris Martin admitted on television in the summer of 2005.
  • Jeevan from Brampton, CanadaColdplay is so cool! All their songs are good. They are a really good British band.
  • Marlow from Perthclearly these guys are iinfluinced by radiohead..
    i think they sound like radiohead crossed with u2.. anyone agree?
  • Kari from Chicago, IlThis music is so touching and amazing. It can mean so many things to so many people and for me it means alot. It makes me really think about life and what its about. It's just so peaceful and I can't get enough of it.
  • Tanya from Rotterdam, NetherlandsLexie, Keane isn't Scottish I think...? But I love their music. It's totally different than Coldplay, I think. Actually it reminds me more of Tears For Fears now and then, but better. It's more smooth then Coldplay. I am surprised that I can't find Keane in the Artistfacts... Are they not that known in America yet?
  • Lexie from St. Louis, Moas for the album cover-- its so boring!! I loved the cover of "A Rush", and it went great in contrast with "Parachutes". Youd think they would have been a bit more creative. I am saving up my money to buy the album when it is cheaper and to buy the new Sigur Ros CD that comes out in September.
  • Lexie from St. Louis, MoI read in the newspaper that Chris Martin said "I just want to be able to make an album as valid as Sgt. Pepper or OK Computer". What the hell did he mean by "valid". I enjoy Coldplay's music enough that I would be sad if they didnt exist, but I wonder if he was trying to say "Since I was a kid I drempt of being a Beatle-- oh god how I want to be like them". Seriously! He is always making Beatles references... good role models I guess.
  • Tanya from Rotterdam, NetherlandsI agree, Eliza. It makes me think of U2 too every now and then. It's a great album, don't you think? Only their album covers... It's not even ugly. It's just... nothing. But it doesn't matter: it's the music that counts. I'm going to see them july 7th!
  • Eliza from Sydney, Australiamaybe i'm just crazy... but their new album X & Y seems to have some very U2-ish moments... i listen to it while i am studying because it is quiet, beautiful music, and every so often i jump and think "this IS coldplay, right?!" - i don't know if it's the vocals, or just the general sound. still, it's awesome music - 3/3 for their albums!!
  • Lexie from St. Louis, MoI agree that the Scientist tis beautiful. It made me cry. But I was wondering, lately the new "KEANE" is being compared left and right to Coldplay and "The Bends" era of Radiohead. Personally, I think when people hear a dominant piano coming from alot of Scottish guys, all they can think of is Coldplay, but I dont know enough about Keane yet to agree or disagree with it. Anyway, what do you all think of this?
  • Brendan from Terrace, CanadaNothing I say about how amazing this band would ever be enough! Their musical talents blow me away! Each song is so powerful! And yes I agree with you Alatriel; "The Scientist" is an amazingly powerful song. The piano moves in such a way that it feels like it just reaches inside you and grabs your heart. You can really feel it.. If ya havent listened to it then DO!!
  • Kate from Nepean, CanadaThey'll make you cry, they'll make you smile, they'll make you do both at the same time, takes a special breed of people to do such things.
  • May from Davao City, Otherone of the best bands there is!!!the more you get to listen to them, the more you get to love them!!!that's how powerful their songs are!!!
  • Martijn from Arnhem, NetherlandsRyan Adams has been quoted with saying this: 'F*ck you Coldplay, f*ck you for being so good!'
  • Reed from Hagerstown, Inaccording to coldplay's official site, their original name was 'starfish' and coldplay was the name of the band of a guy chris martin went to college with. he asked that guy if he could use the name and the rest is history.
  • Rod from Davao City, Otherdj's rod rodriguez,chuck mauri and iceman formed a band and called it 'hotplay.'
  • Luis from Barranquilla, South AmericaChris Martin favorite band is sigur ros, he even put one of sigur ros during is daughter birth.
  • Rachel from Waurika, OkI think Coldplay writes a lot of moving songs. No offense John but just because they dont move doesn't mean that somewhere in this world thier music isn't touching the milloins of those who listen to them. They are a very good band!
  • Rachel from C.wood, Canadait's the first band that ever made p.diddy cry
  • Ak from Reston, Vathey are incredible. i love how theyre not washed-up and cliche like everyone else.
  • Alatriel from Lothlorien, OtherColdplay is the most innovative rock band since Pearl Jam. I agree with John(even though I don't know you, John, so don't get scared) they aren't very good at their instruments(well, chris is a good pianist) but they do write very moving songs. I defy any of you to listen to "The Scientist", really listen to it, and not cry.
  • John from Boca Raton, FlWhat's weird about these guys is that they aren't neccessarily very good at their respective instrumentents, but can they write a moving song.
  • Cristina from Indianapolis, InI love Coldplay. Just hearing their music always makes me feel better. Chris has such a gorgeous voice.
  • Tom from Trowbridge, EnglandGuy's the only Scottish one! He later moved to Kent. Chris is from Devon, Will's from Southampton and Jonny's from North Wales!
  • Brum from Leeds, EnglandTheir second Album "rush of blood to the head" has been called a masterpiece by leading rock journals
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