Coldplay was formed in London in 1996 by Chris Martin (vocalist and pianist), Jonny Buckland (guitarist), Guy Berryman (bassist), and Will Champion (drummer). The foursome first met at University College London and began playing music together from 1996 to 1998. The band was originally called ‘Pectoralz’ and then ‘Starfish’ until they became Coldplay. in 2006, Coldplay announced that their manager Phil Harvey was an official member and creative director of the band.
In 2000, Coldplay released their major label debut Parachutes which included their breakthrough single “Yellow.” The album received a Brit Award for British Album of the Year, a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album, and a Mercury Prize nomination. The band has gone on to release 9 studio albums and 6 live films and has sold 100 million albums worldwide making them the most successful band of the 21st century and one of the best-selling music acts of all time.