Coldplay

Coldplay is one of the most successful rock acts of the 21st century, thanks to a radio-friendly combination of pop hooks, frontman Chris Martin's boyish charisma, and the band's willingness to adapt to changing trends. Martin and electric guitarist Jonny Buckland met in 1996 in London, England, where they formed the band with bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion. Initially signed by the indie label Fierce Panda, Coldplay quickly caught the attention of Parlophone, who issued the band's breakthrough single "Yellow" in 2000. A triple-platinum hit in the UK, "Yellow" helped propel the band's debut album, Parachutes, to the Number 1 spot in the UK. The record eventually sold more than 13 million copies worldwide, while also winning a Grammy Award for "Best Alternative Music Album" and a Brit Award for "British Album of the Year." The accolades continued with 2002's A Rush of Blood to the Head, which featured the global hit singles "Clocks" and "The Scientist." X&Y followed in 2005 and proved to be another chart-topping, award-winning record for the band, with "Speed of Sound" becoming Coldplay's first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in America. Produced by Brian Eno, the follow-up release Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends became the world's best-selling album of 2008, with the title track climbing to Number 1 in the UK as well as the US. Mylo Xyloto, a concept rock opera album, was released as Coldplay's fifth record in 2011 and went to Number 1 in the UK, US, and 17 other countries, while the single "Paradise" scored the band another chart-topping hit in the UK. Ghost Stories and A Head Full of Dreams followed in 2014 and 2015, respectively, with the latter record featuring appearances from Gwyneth Paltrow, Noel Gallagher, Beyoncé, and President Barack Obama. Following a handful of stand-alone singles, EPs, and collaborations, Coldplay returned in 2019 with a double album, Everyday Life, which became the band's eighth consecutive studio album to top the UK charts. Shortly after the record's release, Coldplay's members announced that they would not tour in support of album, choosing instead to try to reduce their carbon footprint. They did, however, remain active in the recording studio. Another concept album, Music of the Spheres, arrived in 2021, debuting at Number 1 in the UK while hitting Number 4 in the US.