Will Champion

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Lore & Background

Champion joined Coldplay in 1998 after responding to an advertisement placed by Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland in the university newspaper, stepping in as the drummer despite having no significant prior experience. His trial session was so promising that he was immediately invited to join the ensemble. Tensions arose in 1999 when Chris Martin temporarily sacked him over heated discussions regarding his abilities, but the band asked him back three days later after feeling miserable without him. Although this firing incident is a notable part of their history, it did not inspire the song 'Trouble'; Chris Martin has clarified that 'Trouble' concerns a romantic relationship and feelings of personal inadequacy rather than an apology for sacking Will. Often regarded as the rationality of the group, Martin described Champion as 'something heavy and granite-like,' noting that he frequently holds the casting vote in decisions. His multi-instrumentalism is highly valued, while his vocal contributions include backing vocals on tracks like 'Death Will Never Conquer' (a Nick Cave cover performed by Chris Martin) during the Viva la Vida Tour (2008–2010), as well as lead performances on songs like 'Trouble' and '42'.

In Their Own Story

In 2004, Champion guested on Magne Furuholmen's debut album alongside bandmate Guy Berryman. His diverse career path took him from working as a doorman at a bar run by Ricky Gervais while studying to becoming an investor in the Noble Rot restaurant group. In 2013, he made a cameo as one of the Red Wedding musicians in the "Rains of Castamere" episode of Game of Thrones. He also contributed to Brian Eno and Karl Hyde's collaborative album Someday World (2014). On a personal note, his mother Sara Champion, who died from cancer in 2000, was a DJ known as Champion Tunes; her funeral coincided with the filming of the "Yellow" music video, which is why Chris Martin appears alone. Champion married teacher Marianna Dark in 2003, becoming the first band member to wed, and they have three children living in Hampstead. In 2023, he received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from the University of Southampton.

Reader's Guide

Will Champion's equipment has evolved significantly since his days with a Yamaha 9000 kit. During the Head Full of Dreams Tour (2016–2017), his setup included a 22"x16" bass drum, a 13"x9" rack tom, and a 16"x15" floor tom, paired with Zildjian cymbals like the 20" K Heavy ride. He typically uses Remo Ambassador Coated drumheads and Pro-Mark 5A hickory sticks. His style is defined by restraint; he once noted that lacking confidence to play loud became his trademark: "wait" and "steal the limelight at the end." Champion cites "Viva la Vida" as a favorite example of his work, describing it as simple support with just a kick drum, bell, and timpani. His influences include Ginger Baker, John Bonham, and Dave Grohl, while his favorite album is The Pogues' Rum Sodomy & the Lash (1985). Beyond music, he is a lifelong Southampton F.C. supporter who enjoys cooking and has drawn images on his drums for every stop of the Music of the Spheres World Tour.

Did You Know?

• Champion was temporarily sacked from Coldplay in 1999 due to arguments about his drumming abilities, but the song 'Trouble' was inspired by Chris Martin's feelings of romantic inadequacy and personal struggle, not the fi
• He attended work experience at Nuffield Theatre's box office and backstage when he was 14 years old.
• His mother, Sara Champion, died from cancer in 2000; her funeral was scheduled on the same day Coldplay filmed the music video for 'Yellow'.
• Champion met his bandmates while attending University College London (UCL), where he responded to a newspaper ad rather than joining due to a roommate's absence.
• He received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from the University of Southampton in 2023.