Chris Martin biography

Synopsis

Early Life

English musician Chris Martin was born Christopher Anthony John Martin on March 2, 1977, in Exeter, Devon, England, the eldest of five children to a teacher and an accountant. His interests in music developed at a young age and he formed his first band, The Rocking Honkies, while he was attending the prepatory Exeter Cathedral School.

After continuing his studies at another independent school, Martin attended University College in London, where he graduated with a degree in Ancient World Studies. During the college's orientation week in 1996, he met guitarist Johnny Buckland and the two decided to form a band, with the chosen name Pectoralz. By 1997, the band (renamed Starfish by this time) had recruited Guy Berryman on the bass and Will Champion on the drums.

Coldplay

In 2000, the band, now known as Coldplay, released their debut album, Parachutes. The album was a commercial success, peaking at No. 1 on the U.K. charts and entering the top half of the U.S. Billboard 200 with hits like "Yellow," "Trouble" and "Don't Panic." The album eventually became certified seven-time platinum. It received the Best British Album Award at the 2001 Brit Awards and won the Grammy Award for best alternative music album in 2002.

The group also released their second album A Rush of Blood to the Head in 2002. The album proved to be another success with songs including "In My Place," "Clocks" and "The Scientist," and the group went on a nine-month tour to North America, Europe and Australia. The tour was filmed live for the Live 2003 DVD. Additional albums include X&Y, Vida La Vida, Prospekt's March, LeftRightLeftRightLef and Mylo Xyloto, all released to rave reviews.

Coldplay has maintained their artistic integrity over the past several years, retaining total control over all production aspects and refusing to have their music used in advertisements or films. In 2011, Coldplay performed at Apple Inc.'s private memorial event for Steve Jobs.

Solo Work

In addition to Coldplay, Martin has written a variety of songs for solo acts including British pop group Embrace and the singer Jamelia. In 2005, he collaborated with musician Nelly Furtado on the track "All Good Things (Come to an End)" from her third album Loose (2006). In 2006, he worked with rapper Jay-Z for the song "Beach Chair" for his album Kingdom Come. Martin has also collaborated with Swizz Beatz and Kanye West.

Personal Life

In addition to making musical statements, Martin also has a strong social agenda. He campaigned for fair trade in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and contributed to Band Aid 20 to aid Sudanese refugees in Darfur. In 2002 he met actress Gwyneth Paltrow, daughter of actress Blythe Danner, backstage at a concert. The couple married a year later, in December of 2003. They have two children, daughter Apple Blythe Alison Martin, born in 2004, and son Moses Bruce Anthony Martin, born in 2006.

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