Coldplay, which comprises members Jonny Buckland (guitar), Guy Berryman (bass), and Will Champion (drummer), in addition to Chris Martin, was officially formed in 1998, but didn’t earn worldwide acclaim until their 2000 release of their major hit single, "Yellow." This hit single was quickly followed by their debut album Parachutes, which became a instant hit in the U.K. Although Parachutes was received more slowly in North America and other parts of the world, it was considered an overall successful album nonetheless.

Before Parachutes, and before Coldplay was Coldplay, the band (with just Martin and Buckland) was known as Pectoralz with a style reminiscent of N Sync, and then was known as Starfish before it became Coldplay after the band lineup was complete. Their first official release was a quickly recorded EP in 1999 called Brothers & Sisters, after which they released the EP The Blue Room, featuring the single "Bigger Stronger"—although it didn’t actually become a hit.

2000’s Parachutes, which debuted at #1 on the U.K. Albums Chart and included other singles such as "Trouble" and "Everything’s Not Lost," was followed by A Rush of Blood to the Head, which was just as—if not more—successful than the debut album, including such smash hits as "Clocks," "The Scientist," "Warning Sign," and "In My Place." Coldplay’s massively popular tours around the world really helped to boost the band’s success. The band was also named best artist/band of the year by Rolling Stone magazine (2003) and soon began accumulating Grammy Awards. Coldplay’s most recent album, X&Y, was released in 2005, and received international acclaim for the singles "Fix You," "Speed of Sound," "Talk," and "The Hardest Part."

Throughout the years, Coldplay’s sound and musical stylings have been compared to the likes of U2, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, George Harrison, Travis, Johnny Cash, Echo and the Bunnymen, and Kraftwerk. Even so, Coldplay is still known for its unique style, piano-driven sounds, and vocals.

Coldplay is also renowned for its active support of a number of charities, as well as political and social groups, organizations, and causes, including Amnesty International, Oxfam’s Made Trade Fair campaign, Teenage Cancer Trust, Live 8, and Band Aid 20. The band members are also known for refusing million-dollar contracts for product endorsements.

Coldplay’s fourth studio album, on which they began working in late 2006, is slated for release sometime in 2007, and although there have been reports that the exact release date is set for September 3, this has not been confirmed by Coldplay or its associates. The album will reportedly be produced by Brian Eno, and Timbaland is allegedly set to collaborate with the band as well.

YUDDY