My Coldplay.com

Jonny Buckland, left, and Chris Martin of the band Coldplay perform during the opening night of their “Viva La Vida” tour at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, July 14, 2008.

• Founded: 1997

• First gig: January 1998, the members play their first gig, under the since-ditched name “Starfish” - one month later they would decide on the name “The Coldplay”

• First studio session: In May, the group records in studio for the first time (on their own dime). The result is the self-released “Safety EP ,” which includes “Bigger Stronger,” one of their finest B-Sides.• Getting press: February 1999, the group is featured in British music magazine NME’s “20 Bands to Watch in 1999″ article, getting (British) national press for the first time.

• Indie label debut: The group returns to the studio again in May, recording another EP (”Brothers and Sisters”), this time on the British indie label Fierce Panda. Shortly thereafter, they would be signed to Parlophone Records, former home of The Beatles and Queen (in the UK).

• Major label debut: After a number of high-profile concerts throughout the year, Coldplay releases their first major label effort, the “Blue Room EP,” in October.

• Opens for Muse: On the heels of their popular EP, the groups earns a spot opening for fellow anthemic Britons Muse in the spring. They would shortly thereafter earn a headlining spot of their own.

• Television premiere: In May, they make their first appearance on popular British music television program (programme?) “Later with Jools Holland,” shortly before they appear on the even more popular “Top of the Pops.” They would appear on the cover of NME in July as well.

• Debut full-length: Their debut album, “Parachutes,” is released in July, reaches the number one spot in their homeland (only 51 here in the States), and is nominated for the Mercury Prize (the best album by a British musician) in September.

• The Grammys: After extensive touring - including numerous festival appearances - in 2001, the band is nominated for three Grammy Awards in 2002. They would win the “Best Alternative Album” award, beating out such heavy hitters as Radiohead and Bjork.

• Getting popular: In June of 2002, Coldplay headlines Britain’s Glastonbury festival, one of the world’s largest music festivals.

• Another LP: Two months later, they release their sophomore full-length, “A Rush of Blood to the Head,” which reaches number one in the UK and number five in the US. It would ultimately go multi-platinum in America, selling four million units: twice as many copies as its predecessor.

• More statues for the shelf: The album would also garner the band another “Best Alternative Album” Grammy in 2003, this time beating out Beck and Elvis Costello. At the same time, their hit single “Clocks” hits the number nine spot in the UK and on the US Modern Rock charts.

• DVD premiere: Following the release of a live DVD in November 2003, the band has a relatively quiet 2004, before a typically hectic 2005.

• Festivals, festivals, festivals: In 2005, the band plays more festivals than ever, taking spots at Coachella, Glastonbury, Austin City Limits, and Live 8, among others.

• Another hit: In June of 2005, the band releases “X & Y,” their third LP. Despite tepid critical response, it fills the number one spot in over 15 countries, including, for the first time, the US. “Speed of Sound” becomes their first song to reach the Top 10 in the Billboard Hot 100.

• Shaking things up: In late 2007, it is announced that Coldplay will be working with famed producer and former Roxy Music member Brian Eno on their upcoming release. Frontman Chris Martin took the criticisms of “X & Y” to heart and their decision to work with an “experimental” producer shows his attempts to please those calling Coldplay stagnant.

• Sorry RIAA: Shortly before the release of “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends,” the group releases “Violet Hill” for free download on their website, the first band on a major label to do so. Despite this, the track still reaches the Billboard Top 40, a feat that neither “Yellow” or “In My Place” could accomplish.

• New release: “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends” is released in June of 2008 to warm critical reception. It performs as well as “X & Y,” taking number one in 17 countries, and the title track is the first Coldplay song to reach number one on the US Hot 100 as well as its UK counterpart.

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