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.