Chris Martin

Chris Martin

Who Is Chris Martin?

Chris Martin is a renowned British musician best known as the lead vocalist of the acclaimed band Coldplay. He attended University College London, where he formed a lasting partnership with fellow musicians Will Champion, Guy Berryman, and Jonny Buckland, who would later become his bandmates. Under Martin’s leadership as the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and pianist, Coldplay achieved critical and commercial success with their debut album, Parachutes, which not only topped the charts in the U.K. but also earned a Grammy Award. Additionally, Martin is recognized for his collaborations with various artists, including Jay-Z and Avicii.

Early Life

Christopher Anthony John Martin was born on March 2, 1977, in Exeter, Devon, England, as the eldest of five children in a family with a teacher and an accountant. His passion for music emerged early, leading him to form his first band, The Rocking Honkies, while attending Exeter Cathedral School. After furthering his education at another independent school, Martin pursued a degree in Ancient World Studies at University College London. During his college orientation week in 1996, he met guitarist Jonny Buckland, and they decided to form a band named Pectoralz. By 1997, the group, which had renamed itself Starfish, welcomed bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion.

Coldplay Albums and Songs

Parachutes

In 2000, the band officially adopted the name Coldplay and released their debut album, Parachutes. The album quickly became a commercial hit, reaching No. 1 on the U.K. charts and entering the top half of the U.S. Billboard 200, bolstered by singles such as “Yellow,” “Trouble,” and “Don’t Panic.” Parachutes was eventually certified seven times platinum, receiving accolades including the Best British Album Award at the 2001 Brit Awards and the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.

A Rush of Blood to the Head

Coldplay’s second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, was released in 2002 and featured hit songs like “In My Place,” “Clocks,” and “The Scientist.” The band embarked on a nine-month tour across North America, Europe, and Australia, culminating in a performance recorded for the Live 2003 DVD. During this period, they won two Grammy Awards: “Clocks” was honored as Record of the Year, and “In My Place” received the award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

X&Y, Viva La Vida, Mylo Xyloto

Coldplay’s subsequent albums, X&Y (2005) and Viva La Vida (2008), continued their success, with the title track of Viva La Vida reaching No. 1 in both the U.S. and U.K. Both albums were recognized as the top-selling releases of their respective years. In October 2011, Mylo Xyloto became the band’s third album to debut at the top of the Billboard 200.

Ghost Stories, A Head Full of Dreams

In 2014, Coldplay released Ghost Stories, featuring popular tracks like “Magic” and “A Sky Full of Stars.” The following year, they launched A Head Full of Dreams, which led to a high-profile halftime performance at Super Bowl 50 in February 2016. Shortly thereafter, the band embarked on the A Head Full of Dreams Tour, a global success that included 114 sold-out performances across 83 venues, generating an impressive $523 million, making it the third highest-grossing tour tracked by Billboard since 1990.

Everyday Life

After a four-year hiatus from studio albums, Coldplay returned with the double album Everyday Life in November 2019. In a notable shift from their previous extensive touring schedule, Martin indicated that the band would limit their performances due to concerns about the environmental impact of major tours.

Solo Work and Collaborations

Beyond his work with Coldplay, Martin has contributed songs to various solo acts, including the British pop group Embrace and singer Jamelia. In 2006, he collaborated with Nelly Furtado on the track “All Good Things (Come to an End)” from her album Loose, and he worked with Jay-Z on “Beach Chair” from the album Kingdom Come. His collaborative efforts extend to artists such as Kanye West, Kylie Minogue, Dua Lipa, and electronic music DJ Avicii.

Personal Life

In addition to his musical pursuits, Martin is actively involved in social causes, advocating for fair trade in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and contributing to Band Aid 20 to support Sudanese refugees in Darfur. He met actress Gwyneth Paltrow backstage at a concert in 2002, and they married in December 2003, having two children together: daughter Apple Blythe Alison Martin (born 2004) and son Moses Bruce Anthony Martin (born 2006). The couple announced their separation in March 2014, with Paltrow sharing on her website, GOOP, “It is with hearts full of sadness that we have decided to separate… while we love each other very much, we will remain separate.”

As of now, Martin is in a relationship with actress Dakota Johnson.