Q 01/05

Where did Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland meet during freshers' week in 1996?

A) University College London

B) Trinity College, Oxford

C) University of Manchester

D) King's College London

Answer · why

A) University College London

They met in their first week and were still cramming for finals there days after signing their record deal in 1999.

Q 02/05

Under what name did Coldplay play their first live show, at a Camden pub in January 1998?

A) Pectoralz

B) Starfish

C) The Nappies

D) Big Fat Noises

Answer · why

B) Starfish

Starfish soon made way for Coldplay, a name handed down by fellow student Tim Crompton, who had thrown it out as an option for his own band.

Q 03/05

Which Coldplay member joined after filling in for his housemate at an early recording session?

A) Guy Berryman

B) Will Champion

C) Jonny Buckland

D) Chris Martin

Answer · why

B) Will Champion

Will Champion played guitar and piano, not drums: his housemate owned the kit and was due to record with the band, and when that fell through Champion...

Q 04/05

What was the title of Coldplay's self-released debut EP in 1998?

A) Shelter

B) Brothers & Sisters

C) The Blue Room

D) Safety

Answer · why

D) Safety

Safety cost about £1,500, which the band's manager borrowed from his father and friends, and most of the small pressing was given away rather than sol...

Q 05/05

Which early Coldplay manager, a school friend of Chris Martin, is credited as the band's fifth member?

A) Phil Harvey

B) Dave Holmes

C) Ken Nelson

D) Tim Rice-Oxley

Answer · why

A) Phil Harvey

Phil Harvey cycled into his Oxford college on the morning of an exam to say he was quitting to manage a rock band; he later burned out and left, then ...