Chris Martin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chris Martin
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Martin performing with Coldplay in 2023
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| Born |
Christopher Anthony
John Martin 2 March 1977 |
| Alma mater | University College London |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1997–present |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Partner(s) | Dakota Johnson (2017–present) |
| Children | 2, including Apple |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | London, England |
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Christopher Anthony John Martin (born 2 March 1977) is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known as the lead singer, pianist, and co-founder of the famous rock band Coldplay.
Chris Martin was born in Exeter, England. He went to University College London (UCL). There, he met Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion. Together, they formed the band Coldplay. The band signed with Parlophone in 1999. They became globally famous with their album Parachutes in 2000.
As part of Coldplay, Chris Martin has won many awards. These include seven Grammy Awards and nine Brit Awards. Coldplay has sold over 100 million albums worldwide. This makes them one of the most successful groups of the 21st century. Many publications have called Martin one of the most influential people in the UK. American Songwriter even named him one of the best male singers of the 21st century.
Contents
Early Life and School
Chris Martin was born on March 2, 1977, in Exeter, Devon, England. He is the oldest of five children. His father, Anthony John Martin, was an accountant. His mother, Alison Martin, was a music teacher. His family used to own a business selling caravans and motorhomes.
Chris went to Exeter Cathedral School for his early education. This is where he discovered his love for music. After that, he attended Sherborne School in Dorset. There, he met Phil Harvey, who would later become Coldplay's manager.
He then went to University College London (UCL). He studied Greek and Latin and graduated with top honors. At UCL, he met the other members of Coldplay: Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion.
Music Career
Coldplay's Journey
Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland started the band together. They met during their first week at UCL in 1996. They spent a year planning and writing their first songs. Guy Berryman joined them soon after. They were known by different names, like Big Fat Noises and Starfish. In 1998, they finally chose the name Coldplay. A friend, Tim Crompton, had thought of the name for his own band.
Coldplay became very famous after their first album, Parachutes, came out in 2000. Their song "Yellow" from that album became a huge hit. Since then, they have released ten studio albums. These include popular ones like A Rush of Blood to the Head, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, and Music of the Spheres.
Solo Music and Collaborations
Chris Martin has also written songs for other artists. He wrote "Gravity" for the band Embrace. He also co-wrote "See It in a Boy's Eyes" for Jamelia. He has worked with many different musicians. These include Ron Sexsmith, Faultline, and Ian McCulloch.
In 2004, he sang on the Band Aid 20 charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?". He also worked with Nelly Furtado on her song "All Good Things (Come to an End)" in 2005.
Chris Martin is also a fan of hip hop. In 2006, he worked with rapper Jay-Z on the song "Beach Chair." He also sang the chorus for "Homecoming" by Kanye West. He even had an unplanned music session with Kanye West once.
In 2015, Martin worked with DJ Avicii on two songs for his album Stories. One of these songs was "Heaven." He wrote the lyrics for it. In 2019, "Heaven" was released on Avicii's album Tim after Avicii's passing.
Helping Others
Chris Martin is very involved in charity work. On December 12, 2012, he performed at the "12/12/12 Concert." This event raised money for people affected by Hurricane Sandy. In 2014, he joined Band Aid 30. They recorded a new version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" to help with the Ebola crisis in West Africa. This was his second time contributing to a Band Aid song.
Since 2015, Martin has been the creative director for the Global Citizen Festival. This festival aims to end extreme poverty. He plans to continue this role for 15 years.
Other Appearances
Chris Martin and Coldplay guitarist Jonny Buckland had small roles in the movie Shaun of the Dead. They played supporters of a fake charity called ZombAid. In 2006, Martin also appeared in an episode of the TV comedy Extras. He also sang in the closing credits of the 2009 film Brüno with other famous musicians.
In 2015, Martin became a shareholder in the music streaming service Tidal. In 2017, he performed a piano version of "Crawling" by Linkin Park as a tribute.
Musical Influences
Chris Martin and Coldplay were greatly influenced by the Scottish rock band Travis. Martin has said that Travis inspired him to create his own band. The Irish rock band U2 is another big influence. Martin knows all of U2's songs by heart. He especially loves "A Sort of Homecoming" from their album The Unforgettable Fire.
The English rock band Radiohead also had a big impact on Coldplay. Martin once said that Radiohead "cleared a path" for bands like Coldplay. He also loves the Norwegian synth-pop band A-ha. He has called their songwriting "incredible." He even performed live with Magne Furuholmen from A-ha.
Martin is also a fan of bands like Oasis, Muse, and Arcade Fire. He admires the lyrics of Morrissey. He has called Richard Ashcroft from The Verve "the best singer in the world."
Personal Life
Chris Martin has an estimated net worth of £160 million. He has shared that he has had tinnitus (ringing in the ears) since he was a teenager. Because of this, he wears special earplugs or monitors when he performs. He encourages his bandmates and children to do the same to protect their hearing. He also helps raise awareness about hearing loss.
Chris Martin supports the football team Exeter City. He is also ambidextrous, meaning he can use both hands equally well. In 2020, a cassette tape from when Martin was 12 years old was found. It had a song he composed called "Electric Thunder."
Family Life
Chris Martin married American actress Gwyneth Paltrow on December 5, 2003. Their daughter, Apple, was born in May 2004. Coldplay's song "Speed of Sound" was inspired by Martin becoming a father. Actor Simon Pegg and Coldplay's Jonny Buckland are Apple's godfathers.
Their second child, Moses, was born in April 2006. His name was inspired by a Coldplay song. Chris and Gwyneth announced their separation in March 2014. Their divorce was finalized in July 2016. Since 2017, Chris Martin has been in a relationship with American actress Dakota Johnson. They live in Malibu, California. In 2024, it was shared that they have been engaged for several years.
Views and Causes
Chris Martin often speaks out about important issues. He has strongly supported fair trade and campaigned for Oxfam's Make Trade Fair campaign. He has visited farmers in Ghana and Haiti to see how unfair trade affects them. When he performs, he often has "Make Trade Fair" or "MTF" written on his hand or piano.
He was also against the war in Iraq. In 2003, he encouraged a crowd to "sing against war" at a concert. He supported Barack Obama for president in 2008. In 2006, a newspaper joked that he was backing a British political leader. This was an April Fool's joke.
In 2009, Martin and Coldplay performed at the Sound Relief concert in Australia. This concert raised money for victims of bushfires and floods. He also appeared in a video for the "Robin Hood Tax" campaign. This campaign suggests a tax on stock trades to help balance wealth. In 2016, he supported the UK staying in the European Union.
Coldplay Albums
- Parachutes (2000)
- A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)
- X&Y (2005)
- Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008)
- Mylo Xyloto (2011)
- Ghost Stories (2014)
- A Head Full of Dreams (2015)
- Everyday Life (2019)
- Music of the Spheres (2021)
- Moon Music (2024)
Images for kids
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Chris Martin performing with Coldplay in 2023
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Chris Martin's signature
See also
In Spanish: Chris Martin para niños
- List of people associated with University College London
- List of British Grammy winners and nominees
- List of best-selling music artists
- List of highest-grossing live music artists
- List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
