2000s Artist Highlight: Chris Martin
March 14, 2017
Our artist highlight series continues with a few facts about your favorite band, Coldplay (cue the cheers, tears and “I love Coldplay!!!!”’s), and its front-man, Chris Martin. You may know Coldplay as a band, but you may not know much about its lead singer/pianist/rhythm guitarist, Chris Martin. In any case, we’re here to provide you with some information that may pique your interest in the British alt-rock band and their iconic lead.
Born in England on March 2, 1977, to a teacher and an accountant, Chris Martin is the eldest of five children.* The legend is that Chris Martin has had a passion for music from a very young age. He formed his first band, The Rocking Honkies, while in a preparatory school.* He then went on to the University College in London where he met his future Coldplay bandmates, Johnny Buckland, Will Champion, and Guy Berryman. Originally, they called themselves Pectoralz, then changed to Starfish, and finally settled on Coldplay*** (good choice).
In the year 2000, Coldplay debuted their first album Parachutes**, which took the No. 1 spot on the charts in the U.K. and landed in the top 200 in the U.S. Billboard charts. The album also received the 2001 Grammy award for Best Alternative Music Album.* Coldplay would go on to release 6 other albums along with many other singles, EPs and live albums.** You may know some of their biggest hits, such as Clocks, Yellow, Paradise and Viva La Vida.
Apart from Coldplay, Chris Martin has written a variety of songs on his own. In the 2000s, he collaborated with many artists including Nelly Furtado, Swizz Beats, Jay-Z and Kanye West.* He is still actively collaborating with well-known artists – an example being his presence with The Chainsmokers in their newest hit song “Something Just Like This”. Don’t get any ideas about a solo project though – about a year ago, he went on the record saying “I will never do a solo record…because the only reason I’m able to do what I’m doing is because of the rest of the band.”
Coldplay’s alternative style is different from any 2000s icon highlighted thus far. From chart toppers to platinum records, Chris Martin has made himself an icon of 2000s and continues to make a lasting musical impact.
Resources
*http://www.biography.com/people/chris-martin-16466718#synopsis
**http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/coldplay
****http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/coldplays-quiet-storm-20050825