William Champion (born 31 July 1978) is an English musician and songwriter best known as the drummer and backing vocalist of the
rock
Rock most often refers to:
* Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids
* Rock music, a genre of popular music
Rock or Rocks may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...
band
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British rock band formed in London in 1997. They consist of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer Will Champion and creative director Phil Harvey. They met at University Col ...
. Raised in
Southampton
Southampton () is a port city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. It is located approximately south-west of London and west of Portsmouth. The city forms part of the South Hampshire built-up area, which also covers Po ...
, he learned various instruments during his childhood, being influenced by
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture during a career sp ...
,
Tom Waits
Thomas Alan Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American musician, composer, songwriter, and actor. His lyrics often focus on the underbelly of society and are delivered in his trademark deep, gravelly voice. He worked primarily in jazz during ...
,
Nick Cave
Nicholas Edward Cave (born 22 September 1957) is an Australian singer, songwriter, poet, lyricist, author, screenwriter, composer and occasional actor. Known for his baritone voice and for fronting the rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Ca ...
and
traditional Irish folk. His energetic drumming style is based on prioritizing the essential elements of a song and he is known to occasionally take lead vocals during live performances.
Champion has a degree in
anthropology
Anthropology is the scientific study of humanity, concerned with human behavior, human biology, cultures, societies, and linguistics, in both the present and past, including past human species. Social anthropology studies patterns of behavi ...
at
University College London
, mottoeng = Let all come who by merit deserve the most reward
, established =
, type = Public research university
, endowment = £143 million (2020)
, budget = ...
, where he joined Coldplay with
Chris Martin
Christopher Anthony John Martin (born 2 March 1977) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist, pianist, rhythm guitarist and co-founder of the rock band Coldplay. Born in Exeter, Devon, he went to Univ ...
,
Jonny Buckland
Jonathan Mark Buckland (born 11 September 1977) is an English-born Welsh musician and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the rock band Coldplay. Raised in Pantymwyn, he began to play guitar from an early age, being in ...
and
Guy Berryman
Guy Rupert Berryman (born 12 April 1978) is a Scottish musician, songwriter and producer, best known as the bassist of the rock band Coldplay and electronic supergroup Apparatjik. Raised in Kirkcaldy, he began to play bass from an early age, ...
. The group signed with
Parlophone
Parlophone Records Limited (also known as Parlophone Records and Parlophone) is a German–British record label founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindström Company as Parlophon. The British branch of the label was founded on 8 August 192 ...
in 1999, finding global fame through the release of ''
Parachutes
A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag or, in a ram-air parachute, aerodynamic lift. A major application is to support people, for recreation or as a safety device for aviators, who ...
'' (2000) and subsequent records. He won seven
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...
and nine
Brit Awards
The BRIT Awards (often simply called the BRITs) are the British Phonographic Industry's annual popular music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain", or "Britannia" (in the early days the awards were sponsored ...
as part of Coldplay. The band have sold over 100 million albums worldwide as of 2021, making them the most successful group of the 21st century.
Early life
William Champion was born on 31 July 1978 in
Southampton
Southampton () is a port city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. It is located approximately south-west of London and west of Portsmouth. The city forms part of the South Hampshire built-up area, which also covers Po ...
,
Hampshire
Hampshire (, ; abbreviated to Hants) is a ceremonial county, ceremonial and non-metropolitan county, non-metropolitan counties of England, county in western South East England on the coast of the English Channel. Home to two major English citi ...
, England, being the second child of archaeology lecturers Timothy and
Sara Champion.
He was raised in the
Highfield suburb of the city close to the
University of Southampton
, mottoeng = The Heights Yield to Endeavour
, type = Public research university
, established = 1862 – Hartley Institution1902 – Hartley University College1913 – Southampton University Coll ...
, where his parents worked. He studied at
Portswood Primary School while secondary education was held at
Cantell School
Cantell School is a secondary comprehensive school in Bassett, Southampton. In 2013, Ofsted judged Cantell to be a 'Good' school.
History
The school occupies the site that was previously home to Glen Eyre School. Cantell was formed as an amal ...
and
Peter Symonds College
Peter Symonds College is a sixth form college in Winchester, Hampshire, in the south of England. Founded as a boys' grammar school, it is one of the few specialist sixth form colleges which is also a boarding school. It serves Falkland Island ...
.
During his youth, Champion played cricket for Chandler's Ford CC along with his older brother, they were known to attend
Highfield Church as well. He commented that music was "constantly on the stereo at home", which included listening to "anything from
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture during a career sp ...
,
Tom Waits
Thomas Alan Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American musician, composer, songwriter, and actor. His lyrics often focus on the underbelly of society and are delivered in his trademark deep, gravelly voice. He worked primarily in jazz during ...
and
Nick Cave
Nicholas Edward Cave (born 22 September 1957) is an Australian singer, songwriter, poet, lyricist, author, screenwriter, composer and occasional actor. Known for his baritone voice and for fronting the rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Ca ...
to
traditional Irish folk", and performed in a group called Fat Hamster.
His upbringing influenced him to start lessons on various instruments, including
violin
The violin, sometimes known as a ''fiddle'', is a wooden chordophone (string instrument) in the violin family. Most violins have a hollow wooden body. It is the smallest and thus highest-pitched instrument (soprano) in the family in regular ...
and
piano
The piano is a stringed keyboard instrument in which the strings are struck by wooden hammers that are coated with a softer material (modern hammers are covered with dense wool felt; some early pianos used leather). It is played using a keyboa ...
from the age of eight,
guitar
The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected stri ...
when he was twelve, and eventually
bass and
tin whistle
The tin whistle, also called the penny whistle, is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. It is a type of fipple flute, putting it in the same class as the recorder, Native American flute, and other woodwind instruments that meet such criteria. ...
.
However, Champion did not always enjoy the sessions, given he could not read music and played songs mostly from memory instead: "I watched my teacher's hand on the piano, memorized it, and ended up doing it myself".
Despite occasionally playing drums at school and with his neighbour's kit, he was not interested on the instrument yet.
He also did work experience at
Nuffield Theatre's box office and backstage when he was 14 years old.
Champion's education then continued in
University College London
, mottoeng = Let all come who by merit deserve the most reward
, established =
, type = Public research university
, endowment = £143 million (2020)
, budget = ...
, where he attained a 2:1 degree in
anthropology
Anthropology is the scientific study of humanity, concerned with human behavior, human biology, cultures, societies, and linguistics, in both the present and past, including past human species. Social anthropology studies patterns of behavi ...
and met
Chris Martin
Christopher Anthony John Martin (born 2 March 1977) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist, pianist, rhythm guitarist and co-founder of the rock band Coldplay. Born in Exeter, Devon, he went to Univ ...
,
Jonny Buckland
Jonathan Mark Buckland (born 11 September 1977) is an English-born Welsh musician and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the rock band Coldplay. Raised in Pantymwyn, he began to play guitar from an early age, being in ...
and
Guy Berryman
Guy Rupert Berryman (born 12 April 1978) is a Scottish musician, songwriter and producer, best known as the bassist of the rock band Coldplay and electronic supergroup Apparatjik. Raised in Kirkcaldy, he began to play bass from an early age, ...
, eventually forming
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British rock band formed in London in 1997. They consist of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer Will Champion and creative director Phil Harvey. They met at University Col ...
.
Years later, during an interview for ''Drum!'' magazine, he stated that having experience with other instruments helped with his coordination and offered a different perspective from other drummers, being a notable 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, knowing what's right for the song, instead of knowing how to play powerfully for a second or two".
Career
Coldplay
Champion was the fourth and last member to join the band in 1998.
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 basically not having 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". The incident became an inspiration for "
Trouble
Trouble may refer to:
Film and television
* ''Trouble'' (1922 film), an American silent comedy-drama film directed by Albert Austin
* ''Trouble'' (1933 film), a British comedy film
* ''Trouble'' (1977 film), a Soviet drama film
* ''Trouble'' ...
", which was written as an apology to him.
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". They often praise his multi-instrumentalism as well, describing him as a "human
jukebox
A jukebox is a partially automated music-playing device, usually a coin-operated machine, that will play a patron's selection from self-contained media. The classic jukebox has buttons, with letters and numbers on them, which are used to selec ...
". Although Buckland and Berryman have taken part in backing vocals, Champion remained the most prominent. During the
Viva la Vida Tour
The Viva la Vida Tour was the fourth concert tour undertaken by British rock band Coldplay. It was launched in support their fourth studio album, '' Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends'' (2008), becoming a massive commercial and critic ...
, he performed an acoustic version of the song "Death Will Never Conquer", which was later included on ''
LeftRightLeftRightLeft
''LeftRightLeftRightLeft'' is the second live album by British alternative rock band Coldplay. It was released on 15 May 2009 and given away for free at all of the remaining concerts on the Viva la Vida Tour, being also available as a free downlo ...
'' (2009). His lead vocals can also be heard on "The Goldrush", a B-side for "
Life in Technicolor II
"Life in Technicolor II" (stylised as "Life in Technicolor ii") is a song by British rock band Coldplay released as the first single from the '' Prospekt's March EP.'' It is the full-vocal version of the instrumental track "Life in Technicolor ...
". Meanwhile, his rendition of "
In My Place
"In My Place" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. The song was written collaboratively by all the band members for their second album, '' A Rush of Blood to the Head''. The track is built around thumping drums and chiming guitars. It was ...
" from the
A Head Full of Dreams Tour
The A Head Full of Dreams Tour was the seventh concert tour undertaken by British rock band Coldplay. It was announced on 27 November 2015 in support of their seventh studio album, ''A Head Full of Dreams'', and marked a return to live perform ...
was released on ''
Live in Buenos Aires'' (2018).
Other projects
Champion guested on
a-ha
A-ha (usually stylised as ''a-''h''a''; ) is a Norwegian synth-pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. Founded by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy (guitars and vocals), Magne Furuholmen (keyboards, guitars and vocals), and Morten Harket (lead vocals), the band ...
keyboardist
Magne Furuholmen
Magne Furuholmen (born 1 November 1962) is a Norwegian musician and visual artist. He was named Knight First Class of the Order of St. Olav by King Harald for his services to Norwegian music and his international success. Furuholmen, better kno ...
's debut album, ''
Past Perfect Future Tense
''Past Perfect Future Tense'' is the first solo album of Norwegian band a-ha's Magne Furuholmen as Magne F. Coldplay members, Will Champion and Guy Berryman collaborated on this project as well as Travis member, Andy Dunlop.
The album was reco ...
'' (2004), along with Berryman. He also made a cameo appearance as one of the Red Wedding musicians on the "
Rains of Castamere" episode from ''
Game of Thrones
''Game of Thrones'' is an American fantasy drama television series created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for HBO. It is an adaptation of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'', a series of fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin, the first ...
'', which aired on 2 June 2013. In the following year, he contributed to
Brian Eno
Brian Peter George St John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno (; born Brian Peter George Eno, 15 May 1948) is a British musician, composer, record producer and visual artist best known for his contributions to ambient music and work in rock, pop an ...
and
Karl Hyde
Karl Hyde (born 10 May 1957) is an English musician and artist. He is a founding member of British electronic group Underworld. Hyde has also released a solo album, made albums with Brian Eno and Matthew Herbert, and contributed towards the sco ...
's collaborative album ''
Someday World
''Someday World'' is a collaboration album by British musician Brian Eno and Karl Hyde, of British electronic group Underworld, released on 5 May 2014. The album features a number of supporting musicians, including Coldplay's Will Champion, Jo ...
'' (2014) by playing electronic drums. In November 2017, he visited the
University of Southampton
, mottoeng = The Heights Yield to Endeavour
, type = Public research university
, established = 1862 – Hartley Institution1902 – Hartley University College1913 – Southampton University Coll ...
to talk with music students about his experience in the industry, composing, studio recording, live performances and managing stardom.
Along with Buckland, he assisted in
Jodie Whittaker
Jodie Whittaker (born 17 June 1982) is an English actress who is best known for portraying the thirteenth incarnation of the Doctor in ''Doctor Who'' (2017–2022) and as Beth Latimer in ''Broadchurch'' (2013–2017).
She came to prominence ...
's "
Yellow
Yellow is the color between green and orange on the spectrum of light. It is evoked by light with a dominant wavelength of roughly 575585 nm. It is a primary color in subtractive color systems, used in painting or color printing. In the R ...
" cover recording for
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
album in October 2019. He is a supporter of DrumathonLIVE as well, the virtual charity event is focused on raising money for children's mental health through a 250-hour livestream, featuring numerous drummers from around the world.
9000.
'' (2002), however, he uses a custom maple set with a 22"x16" bass drum, 13"x9" rack tom, 16"x15" floor tom, various snare drums and
and 14" K Custom Dark hi-hats). The drumheads are
's hickory wood 5A drum sticks.
Champion also owns a Yamaha hardware, a Roc-N-Soc drum throne, two electronic drum pads and one electronic percussion pad. Noted for an energetic drumming style, he was not confident to play loud or heavy at first, which became part his performance: "That is my trademark – Wait, keep waiting" and "at the last moment possible come in and steal the limelight at the end".
songs he thinks are his technical or "feel-wise" best, Champion commented being most proud of tracks where everything is boiled down to the essentials, citing "
" 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".
receiving compliments from the latter in return.
'', Champion has an estimated wealth of £113 million as of May 2022. He is a lifelong fan of
for many years. His parents Tim and
used to DJ as Champion Tunes at local pubs, the latter died from cancer in 2000.
Her funeral was scheduled for the same day Coldplay had to shoot the music video for "
", which is why only Martin appeared on it. Their debut album, ''
'', was later dedicated to her. In 2003, he married teacher Marianne Dark, becoming the first band member to wed.
.
When asked about fame, Champion said he loves that after playing stadiums around the world, he is able to "disappear" back to his children (who are studying
's private choir).
''. The drummer also mentioned the way Martin has to deal a lot more with practical things becoming difficult would "drive him crazy".
His favourite non-musical activity is cooking and he frequently dances with Dark at their house. Her backing vocals were included in the title track of ''
'' (2019), being the piece of music Champion likes the most from the record.