Arguably one of the most influential bands of its time, Coldplay continues to awe fans across the globe with its distinctive rhythms and powerful lyrics. The band consists of vocalist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer Will Champion.
Today the members fondly look back on the band’s 1997 genesis when Martin and Buckland congregated in London’s Covent Gardens to play Beatles’ tunes. However, the jam ended with a police escort.
Despite the setback, the band performed its first gig on January 16, 1998 with the panicked, last-minute name Starfish. One month later, the members played their first concert as Coldplay. In May of the same year, they released the EP Safety. It contained a stunning three tracks.
The band’s defining moment arrived in 2000 with the hit song “Yellow,” which debuted along with their first album Parachutes. With millions of copies selling, the band progressed to A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), X&Y (2005), and finally their current album Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), the latter of which won the band three Grammies.
Today, the band has sold over 50 million albums, which include other hit tracks such as “Clocks,” “Speed of Sound,” and “Violet Hill.” The members continue to write lyrics, strum guitars, and hum tunes. While concocting their next album, they participate in and endorse charitable projects. Perhaps the members’ original homage to the legendary Beatles forecasts their own eternal celebrity.
The greatest band of ALL TIME? Sorry.