Hello everyone!

 

I’m a little embarrassed. I’ve never before joined a fan club or forum or anything like it, and now I’m easily old enough to be the father of one the Coldplay four. I’m a gay man who’s been out since the age of 15 and has now been married 5 years (since it became legal here in Canada) to the partner I’ve been living with for 24 years. It’s far too late for me to return to a closet.

 

I am full-time artist (painter and muralist).

 

Before Viva… I had only heard the name Coldplay but their work had not yet registered on the radar of my experience of music. To be candid, I thought they were a group from the early 80’s, contemporary with Aha and Soft Cell, who were having a weird comeback (duh!). Although the earlier songs that are now signature Coldplay pieces (Yellow, Clocks, In My Place) did stand above the rest when I heard them on the radio, I hadn’t connected them with the band’s name. I know I wrongly thought that one of their songs was by U2. Then, by chance, I happened to see the free London concert of August ’09 as it was broadcast here in Canada, interspersed with segments from an interview with the band. It was also around that time that the same television network, CTV, used the Viva La Vida video as background for promoting its fall line-up. I could only really hear the chorus “old Jerusalem bells were ringing; Roman cavalry choirs were singing” and “that was when I ruled the world”. But I was hooked. I soon purchased the Viva La Vida or Death and All of His Friends CD and blasted it on repeat on my car stereo for the duration of ten hours of driving over two days. When the trip was over, I wanted to keep driving and keep listening to Coldplay.

 

I was soonly (to use a Will word) given the Live 2003 DVD and CD set and was very impressed with the way it revealed a bit of the band’s interpersonal dynamics and conveyed their values about music and life. I loved watching the way they seem to care for and take care of each other. I loved Chris’s stage presence and his dancing like no one was watching. (I have often wondered what ever happened to that kitten they found in the dressing room ceiling.) Ah, the small things that endear us. So then it was on to the internet to discover the official website and this one. I discovered that their October 20th Ottawa concert was only a few days away, but to my deep regret, wasn’t able to get there. I did, however, follow the band throughout the rest of its North American tour by following Roadie #42’s blog and reading reviews from local papers online. I pre-ordered the Prospekt’s March EP thinking I’d get it within a few days of the release date, but had to wait, with anticipation I hadn’t felt in many years, for twelve more days. It’s my favourite release to date. And while quickly wearing out that CD, I’m catching up on earlier songs one at a time. I had to acquire an MP3 player to support my Coldplay habit, and right now it’s repeating Fix You over and over again :-).

 

The Oracle once said that forums are very scary places, even for Oracles, and surfing around some of the music industry blogs I know what s/he meant. I find the “angry people” or “haters”, as I sometimes call them, a bit much to cope with sometimes. I’m no prude, but the language of some bloggers really works against any real communication. Then, ironically, Gwyneth helped me out with a little understanding, saying in her USA interview of last week “I think part of the problem is people get a hit of energy when they are negative about something, and it is a very detrimental way for them to get that hit of energy. They do not understand why they do not have a happy life. That kind of stuff is just noise to me. I just feel sorry for them.” And so I decided to stick my neck out, be who I am, and join this forum (with cursor ready to click “ignore” if necessary). I confess I do have a lot of opinions to share.

 

Why did I give myself the “Champion 4 Will” title? Because he doesn’t need one so it’s a very easy job. Oh yah … and because he’s the drummer. And he’s just the coolest! And I love that he’s now the lead singer on a number of tracks and, as Chris says, he sings like an angel.

 

Why do I love Coldplay? Because their music makes me feel things in a profoundly positive way. They sing of things no one else sings about. They are progressive humanists. They are genuinely humble. They believe in life-long learning and strive for continuous improvement. Through their music and good works they elevate the Human spirit, which is great for all of us. They love with the whole of their lives.

 

What’s my farfetched Coldplay wish? To meet them. To work with them as an artist and/or writer on a creative project. Maybe to contribute to the official website on a regular basis from the unique point of view of a middle-aged gay Canadian artist. (Blush!)

 

I just love Coldplay!

 

Ziggy

 

P.S. Is there any chance that one of you faithful Coldplayers has a butterfly from a concert with which they could part? (begging humbly)

So are you by any chance acquainted with the spiders from Mars??:rolleyes:

Hi mcsquared:

Not personally, but as a listener, yes. :-)

 

The Spiders From Mars were David Bowie/Ziggy Stardust's three-piece rock band from 1971 to mid 1973. Bowie has said that the inspiration for the name "The Spiders From Mars" came when he was writing the song "Ziggy Stardust".

The Spiders From Mars were David Bowie/Ziggy Stardust's three-piece rock band from 1971 to mid 1973. Bowie has said that the inspiration for the name "The Spiders From Mars" came when he was writing the song "Ziggy Stardust".

 

The Spiders consisted of Mick (Ronno) Ronson (Band leader, arranger, guitar, piano and vocals); Mick (Woody) Woodmansey (drums) and Trevor Bolder (bass).

 

 

 

The Spiders consisted of Mick (Ronno) Ronson (Band leader, arranger, guitar, piano and vocals); Mick (Woody) Woodmansey (drums) and Trevor Bolder (bass).

That is possibly the largest welcome address I have ever read. Welcome to the forum anyway. I hope you have a good time around here.

welcome here ziggy.

i was about to ask you about the same as mark has asked you (mc_squared). :embarassed:

i'd like to see your paintings and murals :)

welcome here ziggy.

i was about to ask you about the same as mark has asked you (mc_squared). :embarassed:

 

Too late!!:lol:

So is that where you acquired your username?

 

Hi mcsquared:

Not personally, but as a listener, yes. :-)

 

The Spiders From Mars were David Bowie/Ziggy Stardust's three-piece rock band from 1971 to mid 1973. Bowie has said that the inspiration for the name "The Spiders From Mars" came when he was writing the song "Ziggy Stardust".

The Spiders From Mars were David Bowie/Ziggy Stardust's three-piece rock band from 1971 to mid 1973. Bowie has said that the inspiration for the name "The Spiders From Mars" came when he was writing the song "Ziggy Stardust".

 

The Spiders consisted of Mick (Ronno) Ronson (Band leader, arranger, guitar, piano and vocals); Mick (Woody) Woodmansey (drums) and Trevor Bolder (bass).

 

 

 

The Spiders consisted of Mick (Ronno) Ronson (Band leader, arranger, guitar, piano and vocals); Mick (Woody) Woodmansey (drums) and Trevor Bolder (bass).

Hi there :)

Greetings Ziggy!

Welcome to the one and only greatest show on earth - the Coldplaying Forum! YAY!!!:sunny::hat:

Nice avatar - very country reminiscent of youthful experiences; apple trees are a favorite memory of mine as well.

(and no need to be afraid of the type who say negative things on the board - they're just wanting attention, and perhaps a bit of it is the 'misery loves company' thing.. really, just remember Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street, and you've instantly understood about 90% of them!;))

I'm 42, no artist of any particular talent, but I do have an interest in art. Are you a landscape artist, or do you paint pop art? ..And Coldplay does a tremendously good thing in getting to the emotional states we all sense at times; I am as well a fan of theirs. The positive stuff seems to me their best, but the range of moods is quite refreshing; Have you heard any of their earlier works?? I'm partial to Highspeed. Yellow is also very good, as is Everything's not Lost.. Much of it keyed into Douglas Adams' works.:cool:

BTW, my name is Chuck, and it's a pleasure to meet you, Ziggy!

(and no need to be afraid of the type who say negative things on the board - they're just wanting attention, and perhaps a bit of it is the 'misery loves company' thing.. really, just remember Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street, and you've instantly understood about 90% of them!;))

 

AKA The Doom Crew.;)

OH GOD NOT THE DOOM CREW!!

 

RUN FOR YOUR LIIIIIIIVES

^your part of the doom crew cobalt

That was a very long introduction, but a lovely read!!!! :nice:

 

Welcome to coldplaying!!!! :D

 

Hope to see you around!!!

hi

Welcome to the forum..:D

hi...why do u want a butterfly? haha just to have it...i could somehow send u one...

Hey there Ziggy! :D

 

Welcome to the board! :dance:

 

I'm 42

You thought you might be a ghost

you thought you might be a ghost

You didn't get to heaven but you made it close! :drums:

 

:P :P jk

Welcome to Coldplaying.com ;)

& by the way, don't listen to The Oracle.........we're not scary...........we're not scary at all :pimp2: !!!

Welcome to the board Ziggy!

It's never too late to join us ;)

about my avatar, Ziggy

 

Too late!!:lol:

 

The picture of Ziggy in the apple tree is one that I painted several years ago and is a subject that I've frequently revisited. I actually occupied a great many days of my idyllic childhood doing just as Ziggy is here.

 

As for the name "Ziggy", let's just says it's more closely related to the sailor graphic on ZigZag brand rolling papers than it is to Ziggy Stardust. That Ziggy is a classic piece of marketing art and if, after having another look at our T&C here, it isn't a violation to post a registered trademark as part of a discussion, I'll post a pic of him soon.

 

Cheers!

Ziggy;)

Hello Ziggy! Welcome! :D Hope you enjoy the forum!

Welcome to the forum, Ziggy! I hope you have fun here :D

 

And your introduction was a lovely read, by the way :)

Welcome Here !!

Hi Ziggy,

 

I absolutely love your introduction.I also began my love for Coldplay pretty much the way you described.I had heard some of their songs but they weren't on my radar until I saw the itunes commercial with Viva.

 

I'm also old enough to be their mother.

Ahoy Hoy :)

 

I'm Kite, one of the moderators around these parts, and so I welcome you to the forum :)