Michael J. Fox Plays Guitar From His Wheelchair Alongside Coldplay
Michael J. Fox rocked out over the weekend alongside British rock band Coldplay for a jam session that had everyone bopping their heads. Fox, who has been battling Parkinson’s disease since the ’90s, was in his wheelchair during the surprise collaboration.
Fox formally disclosed his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1998. Although he continues to take acting gigs—with his most recent non-documentary credits from the 2020s—the Back to the Future star has primarily focused on advocating for Parkinson’s research through the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Coldplay performed at the Glastonbury stage on Saturday and was joined by very special guest Fox. Ahead of “Humankind,” lead vocalist and pianist Chris Martin improvised lyrics to point out members of the audience, eventually giving a special shoutout to Fox.
Martin announced to the crowd, “With his Chuck Berry riff and the way he punched Biff: ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Michael J. Fox.”
Fox then performed alongside Coldplay, not just for “Humankind” but also staying long enough to jam out to “Fix You.”
After the powerful team-up, Martin revealed, “The main reason we’re in a band is because of Back to the Future,” adding, “So thank you to Michael, our hero.”
This actually isn’t the first time the band and idol worked together. Martin’s son Moses loves the film as much as his musical dad. Back in 2016, Martin honored his son’s love for the film—and one scene in particular—by recruiting Fox to recreate it on stage together.
Recall Marty McFly saying, “I kinda guess you guys aren’t ready for that yet” after one of the most beloved jam sessions in cinematic history. While on stage in New Jersey, Martin called Back to the Future his and his son’s “favorite movie of all time.” Martin then performed “Earth Angel” before, just as he would do years later, bringing Fox himself onto the stage.
That time, Fox was armed with a Les Paul guitar, and together, he and the Coldplay frontman performed “Johnny B Goode” by Chuck Berry.
Which jam session is your favorite, and what is the best scene from the whole Back to the Future franchise?
