Coldplay, a renowned British rock band, was formed in London in 1997. The lineup includes Chris Martin as the vocalist and pianist, Jonny Buckland as the lead guitarist, Guy Berryman as the bassist, Will Champion as the drummer and percussionist, and Phil Harvey as their manager. Celebrated for their live performances, Coldplay has significantly influenced popular culture with their music, advocacy, and numerous achievements.
The band members initially met at University College London, where they first called themselves Big Fat Noises, then Starfish, before finally adopting the name Coldplay. They released their first EP, "Safety," independently in 1998 and subsequently signed with Parlophone in 1999, leading to the release of their debut album, "Parachutes," in 2000. The album featured the hit single "Yellow," which propelled them to fame, earning a Brit Award for British Album of the Year and a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album. Their second album, "A Rush of Blood to the Head" (2002), also received similar accolades. "X&Y" (2005), considered by the band as the final part of a trilogy, was nominated for Best Rock Album, followed by "Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends" (2008), which won the award. Both albums topped charts in over 30 countries, with "Viva la Vida" becoming the first British act's single to simultaneously lead the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart in the 21st century.
Coldplay continued to diversify their musical style with subsequent albums such as "Mylo Xyloto" (2011), "Ghost Stories" (2014), "A Head Full of Dreams" (2015), "Everyday Life" (2019), and "Music of the Spheres" (2021), incorporating elements of electronica, R&B, ambient, disco, funk, gospel, blues, and progressive rock. The band is also known for their philanthropic efforts, donating 10% of their profits to charity and supporting various humanitarian causes. In 2018, they released a career-spanning film directed by Mat Whitecross to mark their 20th anniversary.
With over 100 million albums sold globally, Coldplay ranks among the best-selling music acts of all time. Fuse lists them as the sixth-most awarded group in history, holding the record for the most Brit Award wins by a band. They have three albums among the 50 best-selling in the UK and hold the record for the most number-one albums without missing the top spot (nine). Their song "My Universe" was the first by a British group to debut at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, Coldplay has two of the 15 highest-grossing tours ever. The British Phonographic Industry regards them as one of the most influential and pioneering artists globally. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame features their album "A Rush of Blood to the Head" in the 200 Definitive Albums list and the song "Yellow" in the Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll exhibit. In 2023, Time recognized Coldplay as among the leading figures in climate action. Despite their widespread popularity and numerous accolades, the band remains a polarizing presence in the music world.