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{{Short description|English drummer (born 1978)}}{{Good article}}{{Use British English|date=November 2023}}{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}

factoids

| birth_place = Southampton, Hampshire, England| alma_mater = University College London

• Musician
• songwriter

{edih}| years_active = 1998–presentMarianna Dark|2003}}| children = 3| mother = Sara ChampionList of awards and nominations received by Coldplay>Full list| module =

factoids
embed	yes| origin = London, England

pop

{edih}

• Drums
• percussion
• vocals
• keyboards
• piano
• guitar

{edih}

• Fierce Panda
• Parlophone
• Nettwerk
• Capitol
• Atlantic

{edih}| current_member_of = Coldplay}}| signature = Will Champion signature.png| signature_size = 52px}}William Champion (born 31 July 1978) is an English musician and songwriter. He is best known as the drummer and percussionist of the rock band Coldplay. Raised in Southampton, he learned to play numerous instruments during his youth, being influenced by Nick Cave, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and traditional Irish folk music. His energetic drumming style is largely focused on the essential elements of the songs and he occasionally takes lead vocal duties on live performances.Champion has a 2:1 degree in anthropology from University College London, where he completed Coldplay's line-up with Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland and Guy Berryman. The band signed with Parlophone in 1999 and found global fame with the release of Parachutes (2000) and following records. He has won seven Grammy Awards and nine Brit Awards as part of Coldplay. Having sold more than 100 million albums worldwide as of 2021,{{efn|The term "records" is for album and single sales combined.WEB, 30 March 2021, What's The Difference Between A Record And An Album? 5 Things To Know,weblink live,weblink 15 December 2021, 15 December 2021, The Sound of Vinyl, Coldplay, however, sold 100 million copies in albums alone, while Parlophone have not disclosed the amount of records.WEB, 6 October 2021, Coldplay Re-Ups with Warner Music Group for Long-Term Deal Via Parlophone,weblink live,weblink 8 January 2022, 6 October 2021, Variety, }} they are the most successful group of the 21st century.WEB, 13 August 2022, Coldplay, Wembley Stadium, Review: Chris Martin's Infectious Joy Is Impossible To Resist,weblink live,weblink 13 August 2022, 13 August 2022, The Telegraph,

Early life

William Champion was born on 31 July 1978 in Southampton, Hampshire, England,WEB, 2023, Latest Coldplay News,weblink dead,weblink 27 February 2023, 27 February 2023, Capital FM, Press the "View More" button on the "Facts" column, being the second child of archaeology lecturers Timothy and Sara Champion.WEB, 23 June 2016, Chris Martin: Coldplay are Saying the Opposite of Walls and Brexit,weblink live,weblink 31 January 2022, 30 May 2021, The Guardian, He was raised in the Highfield suburb of the town, close to the University of Southampton, where his parents worked. His studies began at Portswood Primary School, later continuing at Cantell School and Peter Symonds College.WEB, 1 August 2022, Coldplay: Drummer Will Champion's Quiet Life in Southampton Before Linking Up with Chris Martin,weblink live,weblink 23 April 2023, 23 April 2023, HampshireLive, He used to play cricket for Chandler's Ford CC alongside his older brother and both of them attended the Highfield Church.WEB, 25 February 2015, Hampshire's Will Champion's Ever Blossoming Success With Coldplay,weblink live,weblink 1 February 2022, 31 January 2022, Daily Echo, After being asked about his upbringing, he said that music was "constantly on the stereo at home", which included "anything from Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Nick Cave to traditional Irish folk".AV MEDIA, Will Champion Coldplay {{!, Rare Interview {{!}} The Lost Tapes|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J45x3o7sdsU&list=PLG4FWKZXOJeDQLL3wa5Y5P4LoUo8mfn_e|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517195922weblink|archive-date=17 May 2021|access-date=4 January 2022|via=YouTube}} He also took part in a group called Fat Hamster.WEB, 20 December 2011, Hampshire's Understated Rockstar – Coldplay's Will Champion,weblink dead,weblink 27 February 2023, 30 May 2021, Daily Echo, His upbringing influenced him to start lessons on multiple instruments, including violin and piano from the age of eight, guitar at 12, and eventually bass and tin whistle. However, Champion did not always enjoy the classes, since he could not read music and the songs were played from memory instead: "I watched my teacher's hand on the piano, memorized it, and ended up doing it myself".{{harv|Wild|Croft|2018|p=138}} Despite performing drums at school and using a neighbour's kit, he was not interested in the instrument either.WEB, Will Champion: Just Right for Coldplay,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20181206172631weblink">weblink 6 December 2018, 12 January 2022, Drum!, 21 February 2012, He did a work experience at Nuffield Theatre's box office and backstage when he was 14 years old.WEB, 29 November 2017, Coldplay Star Inspires Students Striving for a Career in Music,weblink live,weblink 1 February 2022, 1 February 2022, University of Southampton, Champion's education continued in University College London, where he attained a 2:1 degree in anthropology and met Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland and Guy Berryman, eventually forming Coldplay.WEB, 19 October 2002, Gentlemen Players,weblink live,weblink 4 June 2022, 4 June 2022, The Telegraph, He worked as a doorman at a bar ran by Ricky Gervais while studying.AV MEDIA, 18 November 2015, Ricky Gervais is Chris Martin's Naughty Cousin {{!, Rove & Sam |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t40e3fmodY |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828220101weblink |archive-date=28 August 2023 |access-date=28 August 2023 |via=YouTube}} Years later, he said that his experience in other instruments helped with coordination and offered a different perspective on drumming, being an important part of his style: "Knowing the difference between the major and minor key is very important too, and I was lucky to learn all that before I was playing drums. That has more to do with the feel of a song [and what's right for it] instead of knowing how to play powerfully for a second".

Career

Coldplay

File:Will Champion, 2011 (2).jpg|thumb|alt=A bald, bearded man wearing a black shirt plays the drums|Champion playing the drums at Fuji Rock FestivalFuji Rock FestivalChampion was the last performing member to join the band in 1998.{{efn|Overall, the fifth and final member was manager and creative director Phil Harvey.WEB, 26 February 2018, They Played a Tiny Café... There Were Four People in the Audience,weblink live,weblink 22 November 2021, 7 January 2022, Music Business Worldwide, }} He explained that Martin, Buckland and Berryman came to his house because a roommate had a drum kit and was a good drummer, but he had not turned up, "so I just said I would give it a go". They recorded the session and he was eventually invited to the ensemble in spite of not having substantial prior experience. In 1999, he was temporarily sacked from the group by Martin over heated discussions regarding his abilities as a drummer: "Three days later, the rest of us were feeling miserable, [...] we asked him to come back. They made me have lots of vodka and cranberry juice in remembrance of what a nasty piece of work I was being".{{harv|Wild|Croft|2018|pp=42–45}}

• WEB, 23 June 2021, Coldplay's Will Champion Reflects On Getting Kicked Out of the Band,weblink live,weblink 1 February 2022, 1 February 2022, Uproxx, The incident became an inspiration for "Trouble", which was written as an apology to him.WEB, 12 July 2020, 20 Things You Didn't Know About Coldplay's Parachutes Album,weblink live,weblink 13 July 2020, 6 February 2022, Radio X,

In Coldplay, Champion is often regarded as the rationality of the band, with Martin saying "When I think of him, I think of something heavy and granite-like. Like the base of a statue. Without that, the thing topples". While answering questions from fans, other members added that he "does have a very sensible head on his shoulders and when it comes to making decisions he is really good at putting valid points across and keeping everyone focused. He frequently has the casting vote and his decision can sometimes override the consensus".WEB, 20 November 2008, Dear Oracle, why does the band refer to Will as the frightening one?,weblink dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100927175208weblink">weblink 27 September 2010, 1 February 2022, Coldplay Official Website, They often praise his multi-instrumentalism as well, describing him as a "human jukebox".WEB, 24 March 2009, About the Coldplay Drummer,weblink dead,weblink 23 March 2023, 23 March 2023, Zimbio, Although Buckland and Berryman have taken part in backing vocals, Champion has remained the most prominent, as shown during the Viva la Vida Tour (2008–10), when he performed "Death Will Never Conquer". His version of the song was included on LeftRightLeftRightLeft (2009).WEB, 1 June 2009, Coldplay – LeftRightLeftRightLeft,weblink live,weblink 3 January 2022, 5 April 2022, Pitchfork, Lead vocals are also heard on "The Goldrush", released as a B-side of "Life in Technicolor II".WEB, 30 January 2009, B-Side of the Week: Coldplay's Goldrush,weblink live,weblink 1 February 2022, 1 February 2022, Digital Spy, Additionally, the drummer played an acoustic rendition of "In My Place" featured on Live in Buenos Aires (2018).WEB, 31 July 2023, Coldplay-Drummer Will Champion Grijpt de Hoofdrol Bij Live-Versie In My Place, Coldplay Drummer Will Champion Takes the Lead Role in the Live Version of In My Place,weblink live,weblink 31 July 2023, 16 December 2023, NPO Radio 2, nl,

Other projects

Champion guested on a-ha keyboardist Magne Furuholmen's debut album, Past Perfect Future Tense (2004), along with Berryman.WEB, 7 May 2004, Coldplay Contribute To a-ha Member's Solo Album,weblink dead,weblink" title="archive.today/20220212152330weblink">weblink 12 February 2022, 12 February 2022, Listen To Norway, In 2011, the drummer was part of a video for the Beat for Peace campaign, which "called on global leaders to take urgent diplomatic action" and "prevent all out conflict returning to Sudan".WEB, 7 March 2011, New Beat for Peace Film – Sudan 365: The Beat Continues,weblink dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110728071400weblink">weblink 28 July 2011, 4 April 2023, Sudan 365, He also made a guest appearance as one of the Red Wedding musicians in the "Rains of Castamere" episode from Game of Thrones, which aired on 2 June 2013.WEB, 17 June 2017, Ed Sheeran To Coldplay: Every Band Who Has Starred in Game of Thrones,weblink live,weblink 1 February 2022, 21 May 2021, BBC Radio 1, In the following year, he contributed to Brian Eno and Karl Hyde's collaborative album, Someday World (2014).WEB, 5 May 2014, Brian Eno / Karl Hyde: Someday World Album Review,weblink live,weblink 1 February 2022, 1 February 2022, Pitchfork, Champion is known to support food and wine magazine Noble Rot as well, becoming an investor in their namesake restaurants.WEB, 11 November 2015, From Pages to Pouring: Noble Rot Magazine Team Launch Bloomsbury Wine Bar,weblink live,weblink 28 March 2023, 28 March 2023, Evening Standard, In 2017, he visited the University of Southampton to talk with music students about composing, studio recording, live performances and managing stardom. Along with Buckland, the drummer assisted Jodie Whittaker in her cover of "Yellow" for BBC's Children in Need album in 2019.WEB, 22 October 2019, Yorkshire's Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker Records Coldplay Song Yellow for Children in Need Album,weblink live,weblink 3 April 2023, 22 June 2022, The Yorkshire Post, Moreover, he has guested on DrumathonLIVE, a charity event focused on raising money for children's mental health.WEB, 6 May 2021, Suffolk Man Behind Global Charity Event Featuring Coldplay and Kasabian,weblink live,weblink 31 May 2022, 31 May 2022, Ipswich Star,

• WEB, 16 May 2022, Coldplay, The Cure and More To Take Part in DrumathonLIVE 2022,weblink live,weblink 31 May 2022, 31 May 2022, NME, In 2023, he received an honorary degree as Doctor of Music from the University of Southampton.WEB, 23 January 2023, Coldplay Drummer Will Champion Awarded Southampton Honorary Doctorate,weblink live,weblink 23 January 2023, 23 January 2023, BBC News,

Musical style

Equipment

Champion's first drum kit was a Yamaha 9000.WEB, 25 August 2016, Will Champion on World Domination with Coldplay, New Kits and The Art of Waiting,weblink live,weblink 1 February 2022, 21 May 2021, Music Radar, 3–5, The company has provided him a variety of custom maple sets over the years. Since the Head Full of Dreams Tour (2016–17), his equipment includes a 22"x16" bass drum, a 13"x9" rack tom, a 16"x15" floor tom, various snare drums, and Zildjian cymbals (20" K Heavy ride; 18" A Custom Medium crashes; and 14" K Custom Dark hi-hats). Most performances are fulfilled using Remo's Ambassador Coated drumheads, Pro-Mark's 5A hickory wood drumsticks, and a Roc-N-Soc drum throne. He also owns three electronic pads and a cajón.WEB, 6 July 2022, Ohohooo: Coldplay Gastiert in Frankfurt, Ohohooo: Coldplay Is Making a Guest Appearance in Frankfurt,weblink live,weblink 15 August 2022, 6 April 2024, Frankfurter Rundschau, de, Noted for an energetic drumming style,WEB, 13 April 2022, Coldplay: The Best Song On Each Studio Album,weblink live,weblink 6 December 2023, 5 April 2024, WhatCulture, 5, Champion mentioned he did not have confidence to play loud or heavy at first, something which became part of his technique: "That's my trademark – wait" and "steal the limelight at the end".

Influences

When questioned about the Coldplay songs he thinks are his technical or "feel-wise" best, Champion declared he was proud of the ones in which everything was boiled down to the essentials, citing "Viva la Vida" as an example: "It's just a kick drum, a bell and a little bit of timpani here and there, but it's so simple [...] We tried so many different things with that, four-beats, rock beats, everything – but nothing worked. It was a case of you've got to strip absolutely everything away to its very, very bare minimum. There are so many intricacies on the violins, the melodies and everything, I just felt it have to be simple with no frills, just support the song". In 2006, his references entailed Arcade Fire, Klaxons, and hip hop music.WEB, 14 March 2006, Interview with Coldplay Drummer Will Champion,weblink live,weblink 12 January 2024, 12 January 2024, The Rhythm Studio, His favourite drummers include Ginger Baker, John Bonham and Dave Grohl, eventually receiving compliments from the latter in return.MAGAZINE, 25 August 2005, Coldplay's Quiet Storm,weblink live,weblink 4 February 2022, 3 February 2022, Rolling Stone,

Personal life

According to The Times, Champion has an estimated wealth of £113 million as of May 2022.WEB, 20 May 2022, The 40 Richest Musicians In The UK,weblink live,weblink 20 May 2022, 30 May 2022, The Times, He is a longtime supporter of Southampton F.C. and has owned a season ticket for many years.WEB, 20 December 2011, Coldplay Drummer Will Champion Remembers His Southampton Roots,weblink live,weblink 31 January 2022, 21 May 2021, Daily Echo, His parents, Tim and Sara, used to DJ as Champion Tunes at local pubs, the latter died from cancer in 2000. Her funeral was arranged for the same day Coldplay had to shoot the music video for "Yellow", hence why only Martin appeared on it.{{harv|Roach|2003|p=41}} Their debut album, Parachutes, was dedicated to her.WEB, 3 June 2023, 20 Things You Didn't Know About Coldplay's Parachutes Album,weblink live,weblink 27 August 2023, 27 August 2023, Radio X, In 2003, he married teacher Marianna Dark, becoming the first band member to wed.WEB, 6 December 2015, Coldplay Drummer's Journey from Hampshire Primary School to the Superbowl,weblink live,weblink 31 January 2022, 30 May 2021, Daily Echo,

• WEB, 22 November 2019, Everyday Life Booklet,weblink live,weblink 21 December 2021, 3 January 2022, Warner Music Group UK, 22, They have three children and live in London's Hampstead area.NEWS, 1 June 2008, We're About to Be Fed to the Lions, The Guardian,weblink live, 18 March 2009,weblink 1 February 2022,
• WEB, 5 November 2020, Coldplay Star Goes Green As He Swaps His Volkswagen Polo For New Electric Model,weblink live,weblink 1 February 2022, 21 May 2021, Ham & High,

When questioned about fame, Champion said he loves that after playing stadiums around the world, he can "disappear" back to his children (who are studying Suzuki method violin) and wife (who sings in Brian Eno's private choir). This "skill" was a theme of a sketch by British comedian Nish Kumar in Live at the Apollo.AV MEDIA, 31 October 2019, Nish Kumar Wants To Be The Drummer From Coldplay {{!, Live at the Apollo {{!}} BBC Comedy Greats |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsmuV7wLCl8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815173505weblink |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=15 August 2022 |via=YouTube}} The drummer also commented that his favourite non-musical activity is cooking,WEB, 28 November 2019, Coldplay in Session,weblink live,weblink 12 February 2023, 12 February 2023, BBC Radio 2,

• TWEET, 1200148046983651328, coldplayxtra, Coldplay members on their personal hobbies when they're not doing music, ColdplayXtra, 28 November 2019, 29 March 2023,weblink 29 March 2023, live, and he often dances with Dark at their house. Her backing vocals were included in the title track of Everyday Life (2019), becoming Champion's favourite piece of music from the album.AV MEDIA, 17 January 2020, Everyday Life,weblink live,weblink 23 April 2023, 23 April 2023, YouTube,
• AV MEDIA, 21 November 2019, 12:14 to 14:20, Everyday Life Q&A from Jordan,weblink live,weblink 27 September 2021, 5 January 2022, YouTube, During the Music of the Spheres World Tour (2022–24), he made drawings for the cities visited on his drums.WEB, 18 May 2023, Will Champion, dos Coldplay, Desenhou um Pastel de Nata na Bateria: É Maravilhoso Estar de Volta a Portugal, Will Champion, from Coldplay, Drew a Pastel de Nata on the Drums: It's Wonderful to Be Back in Portugal,weblink live,weblink 19 May 2023, 24 May 2023, Expresso, pt,
• WEB, 1 June 2023, Coldplay Dedicate Song to Woman Who Came to Their First Manchester Gig in 1998,weblink live,weblink 28 August 2023, 28 August 2023, ITV,

Discography

{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}

With Coldplay

• Parachutes (2000)
• A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)
• X&Y (2005)
• Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008)
• Mylo Xyloto (2011)
• Ghost Stories (2014)
• A Head Full of Dreams (2015)
• Everyday Life (2019)
• Music of the Spheres (2021)

{{col-2}}

Solo credits

• Past Perfect Future Tense (2004) – drummer
• Someday World (2014) – drummer

{{col-end}}

See also

• List of people associated with University College London
• List of British Grammy winners and nominees
• List of best-selling music artists
• List of highest-grossing live music artists
• List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
• List of Billboard Hot 100 number-ones by British artists

Notes

{{Notelist}}

References

{{Reflist}}

Bibliography

• BOOK, Life in Technicolor: A Celebration of Coldplay, Wild, Debs, ECW Press, 2018, 9781787391093, en, Malcolm, Croft,
• BOOK, Viva Coldplay: A Biography, Roach, Martin, Music Sales, 2011, 9780857125941, registration,weblink en,
• BOOK, Coldplay: Look at the Stars, Spivack, Gary, Pocket Books, 2004, 9780743491969, registration,weblink en,
• BOOK, Coldplay: Nobody Said It Was Easy, Roach, Martin, Omnibus Press, 2003, 9780711998100, en,

External links

{{Commons}}

• {{AllMusic}}
• {{Discogs artist}}
• {{IMDb name}}
• {{MusicBrainz artist}}

{{Coldplay}}{{Grammy Award for Song of the Year}}{{Authority control}}