To put it simply, there are few bands on the planet in 2007 that can rival the achievements of Coldplay. Their three albums have sold over 35 million copies worldwide, the most recent of which damaged EMI’s market value after its release date was delayed. When X&Y was finally released in June 2005, it debuted at number one in a staggering 28 countries and went on to be the year’s highest selling album, shifting 8.3 million units in just over six months.

Chris Martin, the band’s iconic frontman, formed the earliest incarnation of the band with guitarist Jonny Buckland in 1996 while at college in London. The lineup was complete early in 1998 when drummer Will Champion joined Martin, Buckland and Guy Berryman (bass). In may that year, Coldplay released the Safety EP, which attracted the attention of indie label Fierce Panda, who signed the band in December. Midway through 1999, Coldplay’s Brothers and Sisters EP, their first through Fierce Panda, was enough to win the four-piece a deal with Parlophone, who offered them a five-album deal.

The Blue Room, another EP, was Coldplay’s first release on Parlophone, and contained the single Bigger Stronger, which was a favourite on the UK’s Radio 1 and added some momentum for the band as they prepared to record their full-length debut. Though Shiver, the first single from the album, made a brief appearance in the UK top 40 and started to turn heads outside the UK, the band played the legendary Glastonbury Festival and released hit single Yellow in June, making them a festival favourite and taking them to number four in the singles chart. When Parachutes was released the following month, few could have predicted its impact. It debuted at number one in the UK and, on the pack of its successes, took the band across Europe, America, Japan and Australia.

But just as Parachutes was beginning to break American markets, Coldplay went back into the studio to record their follow-up effort. A Rush of Blood to the Head came out in August 2002 and went straight into the UK albums chart in pole position as well as hitting number five in the USA. Relentless touring around the globe and a series of singles followed, with In My Place, Clocks and The Scientist all helping A Rush of Blood to the Head go on to become one of the great slow-burners of our time – almost two years after its initial release, the album won the band the Best Alternative Album gong at the 2004 Grammy Awards.