Coldplay Drummer 'in His Place' With Yamaha

BUENA PARK, CA — The British quartet Coldplay-comprised of Chris Martin (vocals/piano), Jon Buckland (guitar), Will Champion (drums), and Guy Berryman (bass)-released a handful of EP's before storming onto the U.S. rock scene after releasing their full-length debut Parachutes (Capitol) in November 2000. Champion can be seen and heard playing a Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute drum kit.

"I've been playing my Yamaha kit for about two years," says Champion of his sparkle finish Yamaha kit. "I like the feel and construction as well as the great response." Multi-instrumentalist Champion originally played guitar and bass, but after hearing the three other members play he liked what he heard, wanted to be a part of it, and switched to drums.

Largely on the success of the break-out single "Yellow" and the follow-up "Trouble," Parachutes was certified platinum and won the Best Alternative Music Album at the 44th Annual GRAMMY® Awards. The band's debut also earned them a prestigious Mercury Music Prize nomination in their native U.K. Their sophomore effort, A Rush of Blood to the Head (Capitol), was released in late-August 2002 to rave reviews and debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Drum Products, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamahadrums.com.