Parachutes, A Head Full of Dreams, Music of the Spheres, and more — the success of Coldplay’s albums is undeniable, and yet not many know who the members of Coldplay really are. From frontman Chris Martin to the rest of the band, get to know Coldplay’s members a little closer ahead of their Bangkok concert this February.
Coldplay’s debut album contains hits that will forever stay with us, with the lyrics of Yellow are being referenced to again and again more than 20 years later. Viva la Vida will always be a song we can sing along to. Something Just Like This took over the radio waves for weeks.
Those creations have their creators. Let’s get to know the band members of Coldplay who made these memories possible.
Who are the members of Coldplay?
Chris Martin
Chris Martin is the lead vocalist of Coldplay, and also a had hand (literally) in piano and rhythm guitar. He attended University College London where he graduated with an Ancient World Studies degree with first-class honours in Greek and Latin, and met with every other Coldplay member with the exception of Phil Harvey.
Apart from making music and touring with his band, he has also contributed to a number of artists’ discographies. He wrote Gravity for English rock band Embrace, See It in a Boy’s Eyes for Jamelia, and co-wrote Homesick for Dua Lipa. He also collaborated with Nelly Furtado, Jay-Z, and Avicii for their albums.
In his private life, Chris has been in relationships with Gwyneth Paltrow, Annabelle Wallis, and most recently, Dakota Johnson.
Jonny Buckland
Jonathan Buckland is the lead guitarist of Coldplay. He met Chris Martin during orientation week when he attended University College London, to which Chris said that he is “the bloke who turned out to be the best guitarist” and that meeting him felt like falling in love. His voice can be heard as backup vocals in various songs, most prominently in Don’t Panic in the album Parachutes.
He has also made many appearances outside of Coldplay, playing the guitar in the songs Sliding and Arthur by English musician Ian McCulloch, making a cameo in Shaun of the Dead along with Chris Martin, recording the song Beach Chair for Jay-Z, and becoming an investor for Noble Rot Wine Bar located in Lamb’s Conduit, London.
Guy Berryman
Guy Berryman is the bassist of Coldplay, crediting his musical influences to James Brown, Kool & The Gang, and the Funk Brothers. He’s the third member to join the band, as they recorded a number of demos even without a drummer. In 2008, Guy formed Apparatjik, a multi-national supergroup with Magne Furuholmen (a-ha), Jonas Bjerre (Mew), and Martin Terefe.
He then founded The Road Rat, a quarterly magazine that celebrates the people of the automobile industry, as well as Applied Art Forms, a fashion brand that draws inspiration from military clothing.
Will Champion
William Champion is the drummer of Coldplay, and normally produces backup vocals during live performances. He stated his inspirations include Bob Dylan, Nick Cave, and traditional Irish folk music. The last Coldplay member to join the band, the story goes that the rest of the members were at his house because he had a drummer roommate with a drum kit, but the friend was a no-show so he said “he would like to give it a go.” The rest is history.
Along with Guy Berryman, he guested on a-ha’s Magne Furuholmen’s debut album, and appeared on Jodie Whittaker’s cover of Yellow for the Children in Need album in 2019. He also made a cameo in Game of Thrones as one of the musicians in the Red Wedding.
Phil Harvey
Phil Harvey is Coldplay’s band manager, and has been listed as an official band member in each album’s liner notes since A Rush of Blood to the Head. But after the recording session for said album, he left the band for a brief period due to exhaustion, citing the 2001 Brit Awards as his lowest point. He then came back four years later to assume his duties as creative director. During his hiatus, he completed a psychology degree at the University of Melbourne.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– How many members are there in Coldplay?
Five in total, including Coldplay’s band manager Phil Harvey.
– Who is Coldplay’s lead singer?
Chris Martin is the lead vocalist, who formed the band along with Buckland, Berryman, and Champion during his time in University College London.
– Why is Coldplay so popular?
Coldplay is acclaimed for their energetic live performances, where you’ll feel the immersive concert experience, amazing visuals, and captivating stage presence.
– Who is the guitarist in Coldplay?
Jonny Buckland is the lead guitarist of Coldplay, and the first person to meet Chris Martin at his university orientation.
Vichayuth Chantan
Digital Writer, Drinks and Dining
Writer by day and skinny legend by night, Vichayuth focuses on the hospitality industry of Thailand. You'll often find him at a bar finding new friends, discovering new drinks, and silently judging you from across the room.
