Coldplay Accused of Plagiarizing Guitarist, Sued

By Jane Ivory
12:40, December 6th 2008
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Coldplay Accused of Plagiarizing Guitarist, Sued

British band Coldplay hardly had time to celebrate their seven Grammy nominations for their latest studio effort, “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends,” when they were hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit by rock guitarist Joe Satriani.

Rock guitarist Joe Satriani, 52, filed a lawsuit in a Los Angeles court Thursday, December 4, claiming British darlings Coldplay ripped off one of his songs. Satriani says the band used “substantial original portions” of his 2004 instrumental track “If I Could Fly” in the song “Viva la Vida,” off their most recent studio effort, “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.”

Satriani, who has collaborated with Mick Jagger, Deep Purple and Steve Vai, wants a jury trial and is seeking damages and “any and all profits” Coldplay have made through the alleged rip-off, reports the BBC.

The song received Grammy nominations for song and record of the year from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences on Wednesday. “Viva la Vida” is credited to the band’s four members: singer Chris Martin, bass player Guy Berryman, guitarist Johnny Buckland and drummer Will Champion.

It has become the most successful song of Coldplay’s career, debuting in June at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and on UK charts. It is Coldplay’s first number-one single and their second top ten on the Hot 100.

Satriani’s allegedly plagiarized track appears on his album “Is There Love in Space?”

“Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends,” released in June, rapidly rose to number one in 36 countries around the world. Its title is inspired by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and the album’s cover features French painter Eugčne Delacroix‘s “Liberty Leading the People.”

Coldplay worked with renowned producer Brian Eno on their new studio album, a collaboration drummer Will Champion has said encouraged them to explore new territory. “Brian has this amazing ability to demystify wonderful music and make it seem very achievable. We weren’t afraid to try anything,” he told Billboard in April.

Coldplay already have Grammy Awards on their shelves; their first album, “Parachutes,” earned best alternative music album honors at the 2002 Grammy Awards, while their second studio effort, “A Rush of Blood to the Head,” won the same title at the 2003 Grammy Awards. A year later, Coldplay earned record of the year for the single “Clocks,” off their second album.

Their current seven nominations are for album of the year, record of the year, song of the year, best pop vocal performance by a group, best rock song, best rock performance by a group and best rock album.



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