Phil Harvey (manager)
Encyclopedia
Phil Harvey is the former manager and sometime 'creative director' of the English rock group Coldplay
.
Having attended Sherborne School
with Chris Martin
from 1990 to 1995, where he was the second academic scholar in his year group, he then proceeded to study Classics
at Trinity College, Oxford University.
complained to Phil about the vice-like grip one of the Camden promoters had on the band, he suggested that they put on their own event at Dingwalls
in Camden
. It was here that they managed to sell the first fifty copies of the Safety EP
, which Phil himself had helped fund, with his father (Christopher Harvey) and his Oxford roommate. It is generally considered that this was when he could first be described as the band's manager.
Having eventually dropped out of Oxford to manage the band, he carried out the role more or less single-handedly until early 2001, when the stress of performing a role usually requiring a team of people forced him to take a prolonged break. He has since stated that the 2001 Brit Awards
was his lowest point:
Although Dave Holmes has now taken over as Coldplay's manager, Phil is still heavily involved in the band's creative output. He is also cited as the band's fifth member, for example in the liner notes for A Rush of Blood to the Head
, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
, "Prospekt's March
", and on their MySpace page, where he is described as "The wise, handsome, frightening one who tells us what to do." This was subsequently confirmed on the band's official website. He also makes a cameo appearance in three music videos. His first appearance was in "Life in Technicolor II
" as one of the men carrying a video camera and his second appearance was in "Christmas Lights
" as one of the Elvises. He also played in the video for "Paradise
" as one of two zookeepers chasing after the runaway elephant.
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
.
Having attended Sherborne School
Sherborne School
Sherborne School is a British independent school for boys, located in the town of Sherborne in north-west Dorset, England. It is one of the original member schools of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference....
with Chris Martin
Chris Martin
Christopher Anthony John "Chris" Martin is an English song-writer, who is the lead vocalist, pianist and rhythm guitarist of the band Coldplay. He is married to actress Gwyneth Paltrow.-Early life:...
from 1990 to 1995, where he was the second academic scholar in his year group, he then proceeded to study Classics
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
at Trinity College, Oxford University.
Association with Coldplay
When, in 1998, Chris MartinChris Martin
Christopher Anthony John "Chris" Martin is an English song-writer, who is the lead vocalist, pianist and rhythm guitarist of the band Coldplay. He is married to actress Gwyneth Paltrow.-Early life:...
complained to Phil about the vice-like grip one of the Camden promoters had on the band, he suggested that they put on their own event at Dingwalls
Dingwalls
Dingwalls is a venue adjacent to Camden Lock in London, England. It houses bars, cafes, clubs . The building itself is one of many industrial Victorian buildings that were put to new use in the 20th century. The original owner of the building, T.E...
in Camden
Camden Town
-Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in...
. It was here that they managed to sell the first fifty copies of the Safety EP
Safety EP
Safety was the first public release by English band Coldplay. It was recorded over a weekend during May 1998, and was intended as a demo for record companies. It was financed by the band and their manager Phil Harvey for around £200....
, which Phil himself had helped fund, with his father (Christopher Harvey) and his Oxford roommate. It is generally considered that this was when he could first be described as the band's manager.
Having eventually dropped out of Oxford to manage the band, he carried out the role more or less single-handedly until early 2001, when the stress of performing a role usually requiring a team of people forced him to take a prolonged break. He has since stated that the 2001 Brit Awards
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
was his lowest point:
I was feeling like death when I should have been on top of the world. The band picked up awards for Best British Band and Album and all I could think about was how much I wanted to be in bed. It was two days later that my doctor phoned to say she was worried
I might be about to slip into a coma.
Although Dave Holmes has now taken over as Coldplay's manager, Phil is still heavily involved in the band's creative output. He is also cited as the band's fifth member, for example in the liner notes for A Rush of Blood to the Head
A Rush of Blood to the Head
A Rush of Blood to the Head is the second studio album by English rock band Coldplay. Released on 26 August 2002 in the UK through the label Parlophone, the album was produced by the band and British record producer Ken Nelson...
, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, often referred to as simply Viva la Vida is the fourth studio album by British rock band Coldplay, released on 11 June 2008 on Parlophone. The album was named after a Spanish phrase that translates in English as "long live life"...
, "Prospekt's March
Prospekt's March
-Personnel:*Andy Rugg – assistant engineer, engineer*Andy Wallace – mixing*Bob Ludwig – mastering*Brian Eno – producer, sonic landscapes*Brian Thorn – assistant engineer, engineer*Chris Martin – performer*Dan Green – assistant engineer, engineer, photography...
", and on their MySpace page, where he is described as "The wise, handsome, frightening one who tells us what to do." This was subsequently confirmed on the band's official website. He also makes a cameo appearance in three music videos. His first appearance was in "Life in Technicolor II
Life in Technicolor II
"Life in Technicolor II" , is a song by English alternative rock band Coldplay and the first single from the band's 2008 EP, Prospekt's March. The song is the full, vocal version of the instrumental song "Life in Technicolor" from Coldplay's fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His...
" as one of the men carrying a video camera and his second appearance was in "Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights is a 2004 British Christmas television special broadcast by ITV starring Robson Green and Mark Benton and written by Jeff Pope and Bob Mills...
" as one of the Elvises. He also played in the video for "Paradise
Paradise (Coldplay song)
"Paradise" is a song by British alternative rock band Coldplay. The song was released on 12 September 2011 as the second single from their fifth studio album, Mylo Xyloto. The song received its radio debut at 7:50am on The Chris Moyles Show on 12 September 2011...
" as one of two zookeepers chasing after the runaway elephant.