Since their formation in 1996, British rock band Coldplay has carved out a unique place in the music industry. Known for their emotionally resonant songs and distinct sound, they’ve achieved phenomenal success and gained a massive global following. However, there’s a wealth of interesting facts about the band that many fans may not be aware of. Let’s dive into some of the most intriguing and lesser-known facts of Coldplay.
Coldplay Facts
1- Coldplay was formed in 1996 by Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland at University College London.
2- The original name of the band was “Starfish.” They adopted the name “Coldplay” from a fellow student’s band that was no longer using it.
3- Chris Martin is the band’s lead vocalist and also plays piano, rhythm guitar, and harmonica.
4- Jonny Buckland, the lead guitarist, is known for his distinct guitar style, which often features a delay pedal and slides.
5- Guy Berryman, who initially wanted to be an architect or engineer, is the band’s bassist.
6- The drummer, Will Champion, originally didn’t know how to play the drums when he joined the band. He could play guitar, bass, and tin whistle.
7- Their debut album, “Parachutes,” was released in 2000 and was a commercial success. It included their hit single “Yellow.”
8- Coldplay’s second album, “A Rush of Blood to the Head” (2002), won multiple awards and is often considered one of the best albums of the 2000s.
9- “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends” (2008) brought a change in sound for Coldplay, with a more experimental style. The title track became the band’s first number-one single in both the UK and the US.
10- The band is known for their philanthropy and activism. They’ve supported causes like fair trade, disaster relief, and fighting poverty.
11- The band’s “X&Y” album (2005) was initially rejected by their record label for not being good enough, leading the band to tweak it before its successful release.
12- The title of their song “Yellow” was inspired by a Yellow Pages phone book.
13- Despite being known for their melancholic songs, the band’s name is derived from a slang term for “sexually unattractive.”
14- Chris Martin has a condition known as tinnitus, which causes ringing in the ears.
15- Their song “Speed of Sound” was inspired by Martin’s daughter, Apple, and her reaction to hearing a new sound.
16- Their seventh studio album, “A Head Full of Dreams,” was created with the intention of it being something with which people could celebrate and escape their worries.
17- Martin once referred to the band’s music as “limestone rock” rather than “hard rock.”
18- Coldplay’s concert wristbands at live shows are known as “Xylobands.” They light up in various colors and are controlled by a central system.
19- The band collaborated with The Chainsmokers on the hit song “Something Just Like This” in 2017.
20- Their eighth studio album, “Everyday Life,” released in 2019, is a double album split into two sections: “Sunrise” and “Sunset.”
21- Coldplay has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the world’s best-selling music artists.
22- The band’s song “Viva la Vida” was a subject of controversy when Joe Satriani claimed it had similarities with his song “If I Could Fly.” The case was eventually settled out of court.
23- “A Rush of Blood to the Head” was composed in just five minutes, according to Chris Martin.
24- Coldplay performed at the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and their performance was widely acclaimed.
25- The band decided not to tour for their eighth studio album, “Everyday Life,” due to environmental concerns.
26- Coldplay has never officially split up or taken a hiatus, although they have had periods of inactivity between albums.
27- Despite being one of the biggest bands in the world, they still share 40% of their earnings with their long-time manager, Dave Holmes.
28- Rihanna is featured in the song “Princess of China” from the “Mylo Xyloto” album. It’s the band’s first duet in an album track.
29- The band launched a comic book series named “Mylo Xyloto” in July 2012, which was based on the concept for their album of the same name.
30- Coldplay has won numerous awards throughout their career, including seven Grammy Awards from 35 nominations as of 2021.
