Coldplay is a British Alternative Rock band, which was created in 1996 in London, England. The group is comprised of Chris Martin (lead vocals), Jonny Buckland (lead guitarist), Guy Berryman (bass guitar) and Will Champion (drums, various percussion instruments and backup vocals).

While attending the University College London in 1996, classmates Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland decided to form a band and began to recruit members. By 1997 Guy Berryman and Will Champion had joined and completed the alternative rock quartet called Coldplay. The group started recording for the first time in 1998 and by the end of the year they had signed with a small independent label called Fierce Panda. After completing final examinations in 1999, Coldplay signed a five album contract with major record label Parlophone. The record company is most recognized for signing the Beatles, and it was a major success for Coldplay.

They began recording their debut album Parachutes, and while releasing EP’s and gaining some recognition through the airplay they received on local radio stations. In March of 2000 Coldplay finally hit the top 40 singles at number 35 with a release called “Shiver”. Because of this song, they received their first airplay on the popular music television channel MTV. In June of 2000 Coldplay released their second single “Yellow” and gained instant success across the UK. After considerable success in Britain and parts of Europe, Coldplay decided to release their album Parachutes in North America in November of 2000. The band and their debut album were received well in North America, especially so in Canada. Although America did not take to the band quickly, by 2002 Coldplay was awarded Best Alternative Music Album at the Grammy Awards.

Coldplay returned to the studios to record their second album A Rush of Blood to the Head in October 2001. The album was released in August of 2002 and contained what would become immensely popular singles, “In My Place”, “Clocks” and “The Scientist”. Many of these songs also became part of the soundtracks of popular television shows as well as major films such as Peter Pan. The band toured extensively and visited five continents between 2002 and 2003 and even recorded a live CD album and DVD while performing at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion in 2003.  Coldplay won the Best Alternative Music Album award at the 2003 Grammy Awards, and then won Best Album at the 2004 Grammy Awards.

During 2004 Coldplay took a step out of the limelight and toured lightly, while simultaneously working on their upcoming album X&Y. The quartet’s third CD X&Y was released in 2005 and became 2005’s bestselling album. This particular CD was anxiously anticipated by fans worldwide since several years had passed since the release of their second album. Despite the record sales upon the release, there were many mixed reviews, one of the most notable by New York Times critic Jon Pareles who described Coldplay as “the most insufferable band of the decade”. Coldplay continued to release singles from their album without much enthusiasm from fans.

Coldplay returned to the studios yet again to record their fourth studio album, with some attempt to reclaim the fame that they had lost on their previous CD X&Y.  Singles from the album titled Viva la Vida, or Death and All of His Friends were first released beginning in late April of 2008. Once the CD was released it achieved immense success. Coldplay has been touring since the release of Viva la Vida or Death and All of His Friends, and there is even a rumor of the band recording yet another album to be released in late 2009 or at the beginning of 2010.

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