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Coldplay

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Coldplay is a British rock band from London. The singer and pianist Chris Martin and the guitarist Jonny Buckland met in 1996 in their first week at University College London and wrote their first songs in early 1997. The bassist Guy Berryman joined, and in January 1998 Will Champion took over the drums, actually by chance, because the drummer they were looking for did not turn up. Their friend Phil Harvey paid for the first EP and became their manager.

Music and breakthrough

In 1999 the band signed to Parlophone. The debut album Parachutes from 2000 contained the breakthrough single Yellow. After that came A Rush of Blood to the Head, with Clocks and The Scientist, and X&Y, with Fix You. On Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends from 2008 the band worked with the producer Brian Eno, and the title track became a worldwide hit. Later albums such as Mylo Xyloto, Ghost Stories and Music of the Spheres took electronics, R&B, ambient and disco into the sound.

Influence

The sound of Coldplay revolves around the piano and Martin's high, soft voice, echoing guitars and big choruses that a whole hall can sing along to. In this way it is softer and more sensitive than much rock of the 1990s. In the beginning the band was compared with Radiohead and U2. Coldplay grew into one of the best-selling bands ever and is known for enormous concerts. At the same time they are controversial: too sugary for some, the biggest band of their time for others.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Yellow by Coldplay. Notice how the song begins with only guitar and Chris Martin's soft voice, and how the band then swells without ever really getting loud.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: Artists