Will Champion

Drummer and percussionist of Coldplay.

William Champion (born 31 July 1978) is an English musician and songwriter. He is best known as the drummer and percussionist of the rock band Coldplay.

Quick Facts

Birth name: William Champion
Born: 31 July 1978
Birthplace: Southampton, Hampshire, England
Education: University College London
Occupation: Musician; songwriter
Years active: 1998–present
Spouse: Marianna Dark (2003)
Children: 3

Lore & Background

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. He studied at Portswood Primary School, Cantell School, and Peter Symonds College. He attained a 2:1 degree in anthropology from University College London, where he 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. He has three children and lives in London's Hampstead area.

Reader's Guide

Champion was the last performing member to join Coldplay in 1998. He was temporarily sacked from the group by Martin in 1999 due to heated discussions about his drumming abilities, but was asked back three days later. The incident inspired 'Trouble'. He occasionally takes lead vocal duties on live performances. He guested on a-ha keyboardist Magne Furuholmen's debut album, Past Perfect Future Tense (2004), along with Berryman. 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 2014, he contributed to Brian Eno and Karl Hyde's collaborative album, Someday World. He received an honorary degree as Doctor of Music from the University of Southampton in 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Will Champion?

He is a founding member of Coldplay who primarily serves as the band's drummer and percussionist. Beyond his drumming, he also contributes backing vocals and plays various instruments during their recordings and tours.

What role does Will Champion play in the band?

While known for driving the rhythm on the drums, he is also a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitars and keyboards. His grounded energy balances the group's sound, making him essential to their live performances and studio productions.

Is Will Champion still active in his musical career?

There is no conclusion to his journey with the group as he remains an active member of Coldplay today. He continues to tour and record with Chris Martin and the rest of the lineup well into their current eras.