Graham Coxon biography

To salvage their friendship and his health, Coxon stopped drinking and smoking (albeit temporarily).

With new clarity, Coxon began work on the band's 1997 album, Blur, even writing his first song, "You're So Great." The next year, he launched his own label, Transcopic, and released his first solo album, The Sky Is Too High—a departure from Blur's heavier sound, with folk-inspired songs.

In 1999, Blur released its sixth album, 13,

with Coxon's painting gracing its cover. Around the same time, Coxon launched his second solo album, hard rock-influenced The Golden D. He followed up in 2001 with a third solo album, Crow Sit On Blood Tree, the songs of which were solely written and performed by Coxon. Coxon's vices came back strong that year, however, and just as Blur was about to record its seventh album, Think Tank, he checked himself into an alcoholic treatment center. It was during this absence that the rest of the band ejected him from Blur. Coxon used the break to spend time with his family and record three solo albums: The Kiss of the Morning (2002), Happiness in Magazines (2004) and Love Travels at Illegal Speeds (2006).

Albarn and Coxon mended their friendship in 2008, and that same year, Coxon rejoined Blur. The band went on to perform two sold-out shows in Hyde Park and play festival dates at Glastonbury. Coxon continued his solo work while playing with the band, creating two more albums: The Spinning Top (2009) and A+E (2012). Throughout this period, Blur released new singles in lieu of albums.

Things continued to look up for Coxon around this time, and in a BBC poll, the public voted him "the 15th greatest guitarist in the past 30 years." Former nemesis and now-friendly Noel Gallagher of Oasis concurred, describing Coxon as "the greatest guitarist of his generation."

In 2011, Coxon took time to raise money for victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami through a charity gig in London. He performed with Richard Ashcroft, Liam Gallagher and other notable musicians.

In 2012, Blur's contributions to music were recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BRIT Awards. Only months later, the band performed at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Summer Games, held in in London's Hyde Park.

Personal Life

With a background in art, Coxon has enjoyed painting outside of his musical career, stating, "I'd love to have a month to myself and a ton of canvases, but there's no time. It's kind of like a hobby. There are other things I want to do, such as bettering myself as a musician."

He also has a keen interest in clothing, admitting, "I think to most people it's not outwardly noticeable, but to me it makes a lot of difference what shoes I wear, and whether I put them with the blue mac or the black mac. It reflects my mood."

In 2000, Coxon fathered a daughter, Pepper, with girlfriend Anna Norlander. Amidst a battle with alcoholism, the couple split the following year. Coxon met photographer Essy Syed in 2006. Coxon and Syed spend their time in Camden, where they live with their terrier, Frankie, as well as at a home in the Kent countryside, where Coxon keeps his motorbike collection.