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. Raised in Southampton, he learned to play numerous instruments during his youth, being influenced by Nick Cave, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and traditional Irish folk music. His energetic drumming style is largely focused on the essential elements of the songs and he occasionally takes lead vocal duties on live performances.

Champion has a 2:1 degree in anthropology from University College London, where he completed Coldplay's line-up with Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland and Guy Berryman. The band signed with Parlophone in 1999 and found global success with Parachutes (2000) and subsequent albums. He has won seven Grammy Awards, nine Brit Awards and an honorary degree as Doctor of Music for contributing to Coldplay. Having sold over 160 million records worldwide, they are the most successful group of the 21st century.

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. 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". 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". 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, 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). "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". 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. 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. 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". 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. 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.

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. 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

  • 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

See also

  • List of people associated with University College London
  • List of British Grammy winners and nominees
  • List of best-selling music artists
  • List of highest-grossing live music artists
  • List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart

Notes

References

Further reading