A Look At The "Mystery" Of Coldplay

60 Minutes' Steve Kroft Gets A Rare Glimpse At The Inner Workings Of The Popular Band

(CBS)  This story was first published on Feb. 8, 2009. It was updated on Aug. 13, 2009.

The small, exclusive club of rock musicians that can legitimately claim to be among the very best in the world got four new members this past year - the British rock quartet Coldplay, led by singer Chris Martin.

In the midst of a recession, in a music industry fighting for survival, the group's fourth straight multi-platinum album "Viva La Vida" has sold an astounding eight and a half million copies and the bands current world tour is virtually sold out, as 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft first reported in February after following the band from Orlando and Chicago to London and Belfast.

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London just before Christmas - the soaring melodies, the thumping beat of the music, and the quirky charisma of lead singer Chris Martin had the crowd on its feet.

"We rely more on enthusiasm than actual skill," he told Kroft. "Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically and people will like it more."

"I can't dance like Usher. I can't sing like Beyonce. I can't write songs like Elton John," he said. "But, we can do the best we can with what we've got. …. And so that's what we do. We just go for it."

They're all barely 30, but they have already been together for 12 years; Martin and guitarist Jonny Buckland, bass player Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion.

By the time this tour ends they will have played before three million people, but you wouldn't know it from talking to them. When Kroft first met Martin and Buckland at a pub in northwest London, which served as their first office, we found them modest and self-effacing.

"Look, you guys are one of the biggest groups in the world right now. How did that happen?" Kroft asked.

"There's a lot of people asking the same question," Martin said.

"All we do is, we try really, really hard," Buckland said, laughing.

"And the other reason why we do well is because U2 is still on holiday. So…they're back in March. So, you know, as soon as they come back, we drop down the ladder a bit," Martin joked. "So, we're in our last week of substitute teaching."

The band's life still revolves around the neighborhood where they first met. Four middle class college boys, all sons of teachers, who shared a love of music and a $100 a week flat on Camden Road.

They signed a record deal upon graduation, and most of the songs written there ended up on their debut album, which shot to number one on the British charts.

"Your very first album…you had a world wide hit, in 'Yellow,'" Kroft noted.

"What's it about? F… knows," Martin replied. "I've got no idea. I still think about that every day."

"I love playing it. I love the tune. I love the chords. I love the balloons that we use live. But I still can't quite work out what it's about," he said, laughing.

"Even if I don't really feel like playing it, those guys have paid their ticket money. They wanted to see us play 'Yellow,' so we'll play it," he said.

"You wanta give 'em what they came for," Kroft said.

"And something extra, because when we look from the stage, you can't really see people so much, but you can see the light of the doorway of all the exits so the way to tell at the beginning of a tour, which songs are working, and which ones aren't, is if you see people it - people's silhouettes in the exits, then it means you're probably not playin' the right song, 'cause a lot of people are goin' to get a hot dog, or whatever. So I know we're doing okay, when all the exits are clear. That's my way of judge it. The silhouette factor," Martin said.

There was certainly no one leaving after the first few notes of "Clocks," their Grammy winning record of the year for 2003 and one of the hits off their second album.

All exceptional musicians, their distinctive, alternative rock sound has found a huge mainstream audience that spans several generations of fans. Not even Chris Martin quite knows how to classify the music, the band or himself as we found out.

"And you decided to be a rock star, when?" Kroft asked.

"Well, I don't like the word 'rock star,' the two words, 'rock star.' Not even 'soft rock star,'" Martin replied, laughing. "Not even limestone star. I don't like those words."

Asked why, Martin told Kroft, "Because I don't wear the right pants for that. You gotta wear the right trousers if you're gonna be a rock star."

[lolwme32]

Couldn't help but jump on SILHOUETTE FACTOR:

SILHOUETTE FACTOR
by patrick george harrison*
Copyright August 16, 2009

Please don't be a silhouette
in my exit sign;
If you are, I'll know
things aren't so sublime.

I can't stand it if you
walk out on me.
It's not the applause
that brings me to my knee,

But seeing your silhouette
in my exit sign,
Tells me I'm doing wrong,
and its' quitting time.

Please don't be a silhouette
in my exit sign;
If you are, I'll know
things aren't so sublime.

I can't stand it if you
walk out on me.
It's not the applause
that brings me to my knee,

But seeing your silhouette
in my exit sign,
Tells me I'm doing wrong,
and its' quitting time;
it's quitting time.

patrick george harrison*
Copyright August 16, 2009

* patrick "GB" harrison,
Amazon #1 International Best Selling Children's Book Author:
WHO SAYS KIDS CAN'T FIGHT GLOBAL WARMiNG
Expanded 4th Edition, Copyright 2009
Participant in the Oregon Author's Book Signings,
Lane County Fairgrounds, Eugene Oregon, 8-18 and 8-20-2009

[Engine20]

Great Job Steve Kroft !!! As you stated in your story Coldplay has a fan base that spans generations. I am 44. Old enough to know what a B-17 is when referred to in an Andy Rooney story but also a huge fan of Coldplay. With all the bad news in the world your story was a breath of fresh air. Your story captured their true character. Hard working, modest and down to earth. I challenge all those who left negative comments about Chris Martin and Coldplay to actually listen to some of their songs and I think you will be amazed at their talent. They can be as energizing as U2 and be as soothing as Enya. They really do have beautifull songs even if Chris is not sure what they are about. If you listen to "Yellow" I think you will come to your own conclusion about the meaning. Maybe that was their/his plan all along. Their CD's seem right at home next to my Boston, Heart, Chicago and Enya. Really, with all the hip-hop and rap around (not music) THANK GOD for Coldplay!! Steve, you are so good at the interviews you do and I would love for you to do one with Avril Lavigne. Another young talent who like Coldplay has many more years of great songs ahead of her. Avril is also hard to pin down on what makes her tick. I bet you can figure her out. In conclusion, Chris Martin and his band are a class act in a music world of "rock stars" who think of themselves as little gods on earth. Once again Steve THANK YOU SO MUCH for the outstanding job! Your story really made me feel "Yellow" !! and thats a good thing :)

[forever1973]

coldplay is boring

NO! WAIT! They''re awesome! Please don''t erase this post too, CBS. But then again, I guess it''s too intense (unlike coldplay).

[davidcc472]

This segment was great to watch right before the Grammys. I am so tired of people saying they don''t like Coldplay because they "sold out". Is finding success through music a bad thing now for bands. Coldplay has always been upfront about things like ring tones and other tie ins that could be seen as selling out but they are extremely talented and people like them a lot. There performance on Saturday Night Live in October was one of the greatest I''ve ever seen on that aging show. Chris Martin still has a lot to say and I, like a lot of fans, will be there to purchase it. Good segment Mr. Kroft. You interview musicians well.

[berniepeders]

The lead singer of Coldplay doesn''t have a good voice. It doesn''t surprise me though because the popular music of today doesn''t rely on great voices.

Posted by ontheleft

Great voices, h-e-l-l, it doesn''t even rely on GOOD voices. Any of that c-r-a-p, hip-hop, violent, profane, noise that is making millionaires out of ghetto thugs and druggies. How many of the rap/hip-hop "tunes" can you hum or sing in the shower? Or even understand? I may be an old fuddy-duddy, but I know music when I hear it, and that aint it!

[Razzl]

Musicians hate it because it''s cheesy, but the way to pop music success still lies in overblown orchestral add-ins of instruments that don''t normally form part of the "rock" world, like violins/cellos/brass/flute, etc. Listen to all your top-40 stuff from the ''60''s and notice how the violins and orchestra come on cue to texture it all up. It''s a formula, baby, and the Brits are born to it from their choirboy heritage and lack of concern about staying true to delta roots that aren''t theirs to worry about...

[jon_mccain]

The lead singer of Coldplay doesn''''t have a good voice. It doesn''''t surprise me though because the popular music of today doesn''''t rely on great voices.

Posted by ontheleft


Two words, Joe Walsh!

[jon_mccain]

And the Beatles, Stones and Zeppelin in their early careers "borrowed" heavily from the great blues artists that preceded them.

[berniepeders]

A Look At The "Mystery" Of Coldplay
No mystery. They steal from their betters, like Satriani
Posted by bobgee_1999

Who the h-e-l-l is Satriani?

[ms1-1-11]

-WOW- 60 Minutes, Steve Kroft did a super good job with this interview ... and British rock quartet Coldplay, led by singer Chris Martin - A-W-E-S-O-M-E-!

I like their bands style rather non-style no suits, real, relaxed, non-pretentious, non-posturing that''s what makes it all work.

Here I thought Steve Kroft was lame and boring, whew what a surprise!

[houlibean]

That was a good look at an impressive band who works hard to keep the music first. Very likeable fellows, all. I look forward to listening to their continued journey to the perfect song.

[bobgee_1999]

A Look At The "Mystery" Of Coldplay

No mystery. They steal from their betters, like Satriani

[lezleevictoriah]

Coldplay is one band that sings and performs from the heart. They don''t and have not sold out. Their lyrics are amazing and prophetic. They are wonderful musicians because they love what they do. Chris Martin is one of the sweetest and deepest people I know and one person that fame and fortune has not corrupted. In fact, if you look at this history of this band you will find more giving and caring than anything else. This band, if anyone, deserves to be highlighted on 60 minutes. Thank you.

And for you cynics out there.... yes the world is in chaos right now. But perhaps if you''d listen to the words of one of Coldplay''s songs, you would see that they are at least trying to help in the way they know how. That''s more than I can say for the Superbowl and affiliates.

[lezleevictoriah]

Coldplay is one band that sings and performs from the heart. They don''t and have not sold out. Their lyrics are amazing and prophetic. They are wonderful musicians because they love what they do. Chris Martin is one of the sweetest and deepest people I know and one person that fame and fortune has not corrupted. In fact, if you look at this history of this band you will find more giving and caring than anything else. This band, if anyone, deserves to be highlighted on 60 minutes. Thank you.

And for you cynics out there.... yes the world is in chaos right now. But perhaps if you''d listen to the words of one of Coldplay''s songs, you would see that they are at least trying to help in the way they know how. That''s more than I can say for the Superbowl and affiliates.

[lezleevictoriah]

Coldplay is one band that sings and performs from the heart. They don''t and have not sold out. Their lyrics are amazing and prophetic. They are wonderful musicians because they love what they do. Chris Martin is one of the sweetest and deepest people I know and one person that fame and fortune has not corrupted. In fact, if you look at this history of this band you will find more giving and caring than anything else. This band, if anyone, deserves to be highlighted on 60 minutes. Thank you.

And for you cynics out there.... yes the world is in chaos right now. But perhaps if you''d listen to the words of one of Coldplay''s songs, you would see that they are at least trying to help in the way they know how. That''s more than I can say for the Superbowl and affiliates.

[lezleevictoriah]

Coldplay is one band that sings and performs from the heart. They don''t and have not sold out. Their lyrics are amazing and prophetic. They are wonderful musicians because they love what they do. Chris Martin is one of the sweetest and deepest people I know and one person that fame and fortune has not corrupted. In fact, if you look at this history of this band you will find more giving and caring than anything else. This band, if anyone, deserves to be highlighted on 60 minutes. Thank you.

And for you cynics out there.... yes the world is in chaos right now. But perhaps if you''d listen to the words of one of Coldplay''s songs, you would see that they are at least trying to help in the way they know how. That''s more than I can say for the Superbowl and affiliates.

[lezleevictoriah]

Coldplay is one band that sings and performs from the heart. They don''t and have not sold out. Their lyrics are amazing and prophetic. They are wonderful musicians because they love what they do. Chris Martin is one of the sweetest and deepest people I know and one person that fame and fortune has not corrupted. In fact, if you look at this history of this band you will find more giving and caring than anything else. This band, if anyone, deserves to be highlighted on 60 minutes. Thank you.

And for you cynics out there.... yes the world is in chaos right now. But perhaps if you''d listen to the words of one of Coldplay''s songs, you would see that they are at least trying to help in the way they know how. That''s more than I can say for the Superbowl and affiliates.

[arohanui-2009]

Oh stop pontificating kaching? You know what they say? One man''s meat....

[ontheleft]

The lead singer of Coldplay doesn''t have a good voice. It doesn''t surprise me though because the popular music of today doesn''t rely on great voices.

[misssuzq]

Posted by Kuching88...lighten up, there are enough things to have doom and gloom over.