A Look At The "Mystery" Of Coldplay

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

(CBS)  Like many artists, he is openly, gloriously neurotic. "Then we have all our rules here. We've got our rules, so you can't have more than 42 minutes. These are just things you just have to remind yourselves of all the time. The rules are important," Martin told Kroft, showing him a list of rules pinned on a wall. "See, look at rule number six, not many interviews. That's a rule."

"Always keep mystery," Kroft read from rule number six.

"Always, always keep mystery," Martin said, laughing. "This is private stuff."

With the band in the middle of a tour, most of the new music is being worked on during sound checks before concerts. It is a collaborative effort with Martin and Jonny Buckland leading the way, but everyone has a say.

"The song Viva la Vida, the one we just did last year. I said, listen man, I got this and it goes something like that, I always say something like that… and it drives him crazy," Martin said, playing the piano and singing.

"And Jonny says what?" Kroft asked.

"And if Jonny says he likes it then I have to show it to Will, which is one of the things I fear most in my life," Martin said.

"So this is like the UN Security Council, one veto and its…," Kroft said.

"One veto and it goes on your solo," Martin explained.

Given their professed history with Viva La Vida and their past track record writing songs, the band was stunned when not one but two different artists claimed that Coldplay had plagiarized part of the melody. The band says any similarities are a coincidence and they have refused to settle out of court.

"I think that the way to deal with these things, if you know it's not true then you just have to say, 'I'm really sorry, but it isn't true.' That's it," Martin told Kroft. "The other alternative is give like a seven hour rant about why it isn't true, and how it's just not possible. And I think for the purposes of this interview its best to say we would never do that."

Martin is used to some unwanted attention. Besides being rich and famous, he is also married to one of the most beautiful women in the world, Academy Award winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

It has made them prey for the paparazzi, with whom Martin has frequently clashed, and fodder for the tabloids, which regularly run stories that the marriage and the band are on the verge of breaking up.

[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.