Will Champion

Early life

William Champion was born on 31 July 1978 in Southampton, Hampshire, England, being the second child of archaeology lecturers Timothy and Sara Champion. He was raised in the Highfield suburb of the town, close to the University of Southampton, where his parents worked. His studies began at Portswood Primary School, later continuing at Cantell School and Peter Symonds College. He used to play cricket for Chandler's Ford CC alongside his older brother and they went to the Highfield Church regularly. After being asked about his upbringing, he said that music was "constantly on the stereo at home", which included "anything from Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Nick Cave to traditional Irish folk". He also took part in a group called Fat Hamster.

His upbringing influenced him to start lessons on multiple instruments, including piano and violin from the age of eight, guitar at 12, and eventually bass and tin whistle.

• However, Champion did not always enjoy the classes, since he could not read music and played the songs from memory: "I watched my teacher's hand on the piano, memorized it, and ended up doing it myself". Despite being chosen to be the drummer at school and using a neighbour's kit, he was not keen on the instrument either. He attended work experience at Nuffield Theatre's box office and backstage when he was 14 years old.

Champion's education continued in University College London, where he attained a 2:1 degree in anthropology and met Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland and Guy Berryman, eventually forming Coldplay. He worked as a doorman at a bar run by Ricky Gervais while studying. Years later, he said that his experience in other instruments helped with coordination and offered a different perspective on drumming, being an important 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 [and what's right for it] instead of knowing how to play powerfully for a second".

Career

Coldplay

Main article: Coldplay

Champion was the last performing 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'd give it a go". They recorded the session and he was later invited to the ensemble despite not having significant prior experience. In 1999, he was temporarily sacked from the group by Martin due to 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", 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, calling him a "human jukebox". Although Buckland and Berryman have contributed to backing vocals, Champion remained the most prominent in the role, as seen throughout Viva la Vida Tour (2008–2010), when he played "Death Will Never Conquer". His rendition of the song was included on LeftRightLeftRightLeft (2009). Lead vocals are also present on "The Goldrush", "In My Place" (Live in Buenos Aires), and "Angelsong". The latter is heard on Moon Music (2024) both separately and within "Alien Hits / Alien Radio".

Other projects

Champion guested on a-ha keyboardist Magne Furuholmen's debut album, Past Perfect Future Tense (2004), along with Berryman. In 2011, the drummer was part of a video for the Beat for Peace campaign, which "called on global leaders to take urgent diplomatic action" and "prevent all out conflict returning to Sudan". He also made a guest appearance as one of the Red Wedding musicians in the "Rains of Castamere" episode from Game of Thrones, which aired on 2 June 2013. In the following year, he contributed to Brian Eno and Karl Hyde's collaborative album, Someday World (2014). Champion is known to support food and wine magazine Noble Rot as well, becoming an investor in their namesake restaurants. In 2017, he visited the University of Southampton to talk with music students about composing, studio recording, live performances and managing stardom. Along with Buckland, the drummer assisted Jodie Whittaker in her cover of "Yellow" for BBC's Children in Need album in 2019. Moreover, he has guested on DrumathonLIVE, a charity event focused on raising money for children's mental health.

• In 2023, he received an honorary degree as Doctor of Music from the University of Southampton.

Musical style

Equipment

Champion's first drum kit was a Yamaha 9000. The company has supplied many custom maple sets for him over the years. Since the Head Full of Dreams Tour (2016–2017), his equipment includes a 22"x16" bass drum, a 13"x9" rack tom, a 16"x15" floor tom, various snare drums, and Zildjian cymbals (20" K Heavy ride; 18" A Custom Medium crashes; and 14" K Custom Dark hi-hats). Most performances are fulfilled using Remo's Ambassador Coated drumheads, Pro-Mark's 5A hickory wood drumsticks, and a Roc-N-Soc drum throne. He also owns three electronic pads and a cajón. Known for an energetic drumming style, Champion once stated he lacked the confidence to play loud or heavy at first, something which became part of his sound: "That's my trademark—wait" and "steal the limelight at the end".

Influences

When questioned about which Coldplay songs he thinks are his technical or feel-wise best, Champion observed that he was proud of the ones where everything was cut down to the essentials and mentioned "Viva la Vida" 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 [...] There are so many intricacies on the violins, the melodies and everything, I just felt [it has] to be simple with no frills, just support the song". His favourite album is Rum Sodomy & the Lash (1985) by the Pogues. In 2006, he listened to Klaxons, Arcade Fire and hip-hop artists. The drummer endorsed works from Fontaines D.C. and Grian Chatten in 2024 as well. His top players include Ginger Baker, John Bonham and Dave Grohl.

Personal life

According to The Times, Champion has an estimated wealth of £113 million as of May 2022. He is a longtime supporter of Southampton F.C. and has owned a season ticket for many years. His parents used to DJ as Champion Tunes at local pubs before Sara died from cancer in 2000. Her funeral ended up scheduled on the same day Coldplay had to film the music video for "Yellow", hence why Martin appears alone. Their debut album references her in the liner notes. In 2003, he married teacher Marianna Dark, becoming the first band member to wed. They have three children and live in London's Hampstead area.

Interviewed by The Guardian, Champion said that he loves being able to "disappear" back to his children (who are studying Suzuki method violin) and wife (who sings in Brian Eno's private choir) after playing stadiums worldwide. This "skill" was a theme of a sketch by British comedian Nish Kumar in Live at the Apollo. The drummer also commented that he often dances with Dark at their house. She recorded backing vocals on the title track of Everyday Life (2019), becoming his favourite piece of sound from the album.

• Champion declared that his favourite activity outside music is cooking.
• He made drawings for each Music of the Spheres World Tour (2022–2025) stop on his drums.

Discography

With Coldplay

Main article: Coldplay discography, List of songs by Coldplay

• Parachutes (2000)
• A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)
• X&Y (2005)
• Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008)
• Mylo Xyloto (2011)
• Ghost Stories (2014)
• A Head Full of Dreams (2015)
• Everyday Life (2019)
• Music of the Spheres (2021)
• Moon Music (2024)

Solo credits

• Past Perfect Future Tense (2004) – drummer
• Someday World (2014) – drummer

Notes

References

References

1. (27 August 2025). "Why Uncool Coldplay Are the Best Live Band in the World Right Now".
2. (25 June 2024). "Glastonbury 2024: The Reason Coldplay Are the 21st Century's Defining Band".
3. (2023). "Latest Coldplay News".
4. (1 August 2022). "Coldplay: Drummer Will Champion's Quiet Life in Southampton Before Linking Up with Chris Martin".
5. (25 February 2015). "Hampshire's Will Champion's Ever Blossoming Success With Coldplay".
6. "Will Champion Coldplay {{!}} Rare Interview {{!}} The Lost Tapes".
7. (20 December 2011). "Hampshire's Understated Rockstar – Coldplay's Will Champion".
8. {{harv. Wild. Croft. 2018
9. (21 February 2012). "Will Champion: Just Right for Coldplay".
10. (29 November 2017). "Coldplay Star Inspires Students Striving for a Career in Music".
11. (19 October 2002). "Gentlemen Players".
12. (18 November 2015). "Ricky Gervais is Chris Martin's Naughty Cousin {{!}} Rove & Sam".
13. (26 February 2018). "They Played a Tiny Café... There Were Four People in the Audience".
14. (12 July 2020). "20 Things You Didn't Know About Coldplay's Parachutes Album".
15. (20 November 2008). "Dear Oracle, why does the band refer to Will as the frightening one?". Coldplay.
16. (24 March 2009). "About the Coldplay Drummer".
17. (1 June 2009). "Coldplay – LeftRightLeftRightLeft".
18. (30 January 2009). "B-Side of the Week: Coldplay's Goldrush".
19. (31 July 2023). "Coldplay-Drummer Will Champion Grijpt de Hoofdrol Bij Live-Versie In My Place".
20. (6 October 2024). "Credits / Moon Music (Full Moon Edition) / Coldplay".
21. (7 May 2004). "Coldplay Contribute To a-ha Member's Solo Album".
22. (7 March 2011). "New Beat for Peace Film – Sudan 365: The Beat Continues".
23. (17 June 2017). "Ed Sheeran To Coldplay: Every Band Who Has Starred in Game of Thrones".
24. (5 May 2014). "Brian Eno / Karl Hyde: Someday World Album Review".
25. (11 November 2015). "From Pages to Pouring: Noble Rot Magazine Team Launch Bloomsbury Wine Bar".
26. (22 October 2019). "Yorkshire's Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker Records Coldplay Song Yellow for Children in Need Album".
27. (23 January 2023). "Coldplay Drummer Will Champion Awarded Southampton Honorary Doctorate".
28. (25 August 2016). "Will Champion on World Domination with Coldplay, New Kits and The Art of Waiting".
29. (6 July 2022). "Ohohooo: Coldplay Gastiert in Frankfurt".
30. (13 April 2022). "Coldplay: The Best Song On Each Studio Album".
31. Coldplay. (30 November 2023). "Thank you, Shane, for the words, the music and the memories, rest in peace. W. X".
32. (14 March 2006). "Interview with Coldplay Drummer Will Champion".
33. (26 August 2024). "We're Planning Some Big Sessions: Coldplay's Drummer Share Their Post-Gig Plans".
34. (20 May 2022). "The 40 Richest Musicians In The UK".
35. (20 December 2011). "Coldplay Drummer Will Champion Remembers His Southampton Roots".
36. {{harv. Roach. 2003
37. (3 June 2023). "20 Things You Didn't Know About Coldplay's Parachutes Album".
38. (5 November 2020). "Coldplay Star Goes Green As He Swaps His Volkswagen Polo For New Electric Model".
39. (23 June 2016). "Chris Martin: Coldplay are Saying the Opposite of Walls and Brexit".
40. (31 October 2019). "Nish Kumar Wants To Be The Drummer From Coldplay {{!}} Live at the Apollo {{!}} BBC Comedy Greats".