Chris Martin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chris Martin | |
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 Chris Martin, June 2008.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Christopher Anthony John Martin |
| Born | 2 March 1977 Exeter, Devon, England |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genre(s) | Alternative rock, Baroque pop |
| Occupation(s) | Vocalist, producer, musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano, guitar, mandolin, clarinet, harmonica |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Label(s) | Parlophone, Capitol |
| Associated acts | Coldplay |
| Website | coldplay.com |
Christopher Anthony John "Chris" Martin (born 2 March 1977) is an English singer-songwriter and instrumentalist, best known as the lead vocalist of the band Coldplay.[1]
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[edit] Early life
Chris Martin was born in Exeter, Devon and is the eldest of five children.[2][3] His father, Anthony, was a Chartered Accountant, and his mother, Alison, was a music teacher.[4][5] Martin was raised in Whitestone, Devon[2] and attended Exeter Cathedral School.[6] It was at the prep school that Martin formed his first band. After Exeter Cathedral, Martin boarded at Sherborne School,[6] a boys' independent school in Dorset. At Sherborne, Martin started a blues band called The Rockin' Honkies. Their debut performance was met with boos from the crowd.[7] He also met future Coldplay manager Phil Harvey at the school.[8] Martin continued his studies at University College London, staying at Ramsay Hall where he read Ancient World Studies and graduated with First Class honours in Greek and Latin.[3][5][9]
[edit] Recording career
[edit] Coldplay
While studying at University College London, Martin met Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Guy Berryman. In 1997, they formed the rock band Coldplay. The band has had internationally recognised fame and success since their debut album, Parachutes, in 2000. Since then, they have released three further albums: A Rush of Blood to the Head, X&Y and Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.
[edit] Solo work
As a solo artist, Martin has written songs for a variety of acts including Embrace ("Gravity") and Jamelia ("See It in a Boy's Eyes"). Martin has also collaborated with Ron Sexsmith, Faultline, The Streets, and Ian McCulloch. He also sang a part of the vocals for the Band Aid 20 single, "Do They Know It's Christmas?" at the end of 2004. In 2005, Martin collaborated with Nelly Furtado on the track "All Good Things (Come to an End)", for her 2006 album, Loose. The two were once rumoured to be a couple, after they both performed at Glastonbury in 2002. Furtado joked about the situation, saying that "Yeah, he's my boyfriend — he just doesn't know it yet".[10]
Martin's fascination with hip hop was shown in the summer of 2006 when he collaborated with rapper Jay-Z for the rapper's comeback album Kingdom Come after the two met earlier in the year. Martin put some chords together for a song known as "Beach Chair" and sent them to Jay-Z who enlisted the help of hip hop producer Dr. Dre to add the drum line to complete the track. The song was performed on 27 September 2006 by the two during Jay-Z's European tour at Royal Albert Hall. In 2007, Martin appeared on a track titled "Part of the Plan" for Swizz Beatz' debut solo album One Man Band Man. Martin has also worked on a solo collaboration with Kanye West, with whom he shared an impromptu jam session during a 2006 concert at Abbey Road Studios.[11] He performed the chorus on "Homecoming", the fifth single from West's third album, Graduation.
[edit] Influences
One of the bands that Martin credits with the heaviest influence on him as a musician is Norwegian pop-band a-ha. One song in particular has stayed in Martin's mind, as the following quote says: "As a 12 year old, 'Hunting High and Low' was always in my head, and a-ha still continues to be an important band to me."[citation needed] In 2005 Martin said "I was in Amsterdam the other day and I put on the album Hunting High and Low. I remembered right there and then how much I loved that album. It's just unbelievable songwriting."[citation needed] He has also been known to copy the style of a-ha vocalist Morten Harket: "It was the way Morten Harket used to have different things on his wrists. I do it myself, still. He is the most disarming and beautiful man you'll ever meet."[citation needed]
U2 has been another important influence on Martin both musically and politically,[12] in which he wrote for Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time",[13] in the section on U2, saying: "I don't buy weekend tickets to Ireland and hang out in front of their gates, but U2 are the only band whose entire catalog I know by heart. The first song on The Unforgettable Fire, "A Sort of Homecoming", I know backward and forward -- it's so rousing, brilliant, and beautiful. It's one of the first songs I played to my unborn baby." Martin also comments on Bono's effect on his own charity and political involvement he is even known to joke with friends referring to himself as "Crono".[12]
Martin is open to all kinds of music. Artists he is known to be a fan of include Irish pop group Westlife,[14] and British pop groups Girls Aloud,[15][16] Take That,[17] Kylie Minogue,[18] American bands, Eisley and This Allure, as well as Canadian band, The Arcade Fire.
[edit] Other endeavours
Martin and Coldplay guitarist Jon Buckland made cameo appearances in the film Shaun of the Dead as supporters of the fictional charity ZombAid.[19][20] Martin has a second cameo in this film as a Zombie.[19][20] In 2006 Martin had a cameo role in the second series episode four of the Ricky Gervais- and Stephen Merchant-created comedy Extras. He also appears singing in the closing credits of the 2009 film Brüno alongside Bono, Sting, Slash and Elton John.[21] Martin also played one gig with the "Sid James Experience"
Martin has been particularly outspoken on issues of fair trade and has done a great deal of campaigning for the charity Oxfam's Make Trade Fair campaign. He personally traveled to Ghana and Haiti to meet farmers and view the effects of unfair trade practices.[22] When performing, he usually has variations of "Make Trade Fair", "MTF" or an equal sign written on the back of his left hand and the letters "MTF" can be seen emblazoned on his piano.
He was a vocal critic of President George W. Bush and the war in Iraq. Martin was a strong supporter of Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, most notably during his acceptance speech for the 2004 Grammy Awards Record of the Year, accepting for "Clocks". Martin also supported the Democratic Party candidate for President in 2008, giving a shout-out to Barack Obama at the end of a performance of "Yellow" on 25 October 2008 episode of Saturday Night Live.
On 1 April 2006, The Guardian reported that Martin was backing the British Conservative Party leader David Cameron and had written a new theme song for the party entitled "Talk to David".[23][24] This was later revealed to be an April Fool's joke.[citation needed]
[edit] Personal life
Martin met American actress Gwyneth Paltrow in 2002 backstage at a Coldplay gig after the death of the actress' father, Bruce Paltrow. The couple embarked on a whirlwind romance that saw them wed a year later on 5 December 2003.[25] Their daughter, Apple Blythe Alison Martin, was born on 14 May 2004 in London.[26] Their second child, Moses Bruce Anthony Martin, was born on 8 April 2006 in New York City.[27] Simon Pegg is one of Apple's godfathers.[28][29] Martin is a longtime friend of Pegg, having met him in 2001, and appears in Shaun of the Dead,[19][20] one of Pegg's movies. Apple's other godfather is guitarist Jonny Buckland.[29]
Martin is a vegetarian[30] and practices yoga. He does not drink alcohol or smoke.[31] He is also very good friends with Matthew Bellamy of Muse.
In a 2005 Rolling Stone magazine interview, Martin said of his religious views: "I definitely believe in God. How can you look at anything and not be overwhelmed by the miraculousness of it?"[32] In the same interview he spoke of going through a period of spiritual confusion, stating "I went through a weird patch, starting when I was about sixteen to twenty-two, of getting God, religion, superstition, judgment all confused".[32] In an interview with NME, he also stated "I'm always trying to work out what 'He' or 'She' is."[33]
Martin was arrested for attacking a photographer's car in Australia during a 2003 world tour. He reportedly "lost it" after he was photographed at a public beach by a paparazzo.[34]
[edit] Solo discography
- See Coldplay discography for his work with that group.
| Year | Song(s) | Artist | Album | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | "Where Is My Boy", "Your Love Means Everything, Pt. 2" | Faultline | Your Love Means Everything | Featured vocals |
| "Gold in Them Hills" | Ron Sexsmith | Cobblestone Runway | Featured vocals | |
| 2003 | "Sliding", "Arthur" | Ian McCulloch | Slideling | Piano, backing vocals |
| "See It in a Boy's Eyes" | Jamelia | Thank You | Co-writer, backing vocals | |
| 2004 | "Everybody's Happy Nowadays" | Ash | Orpheus | Backing vocals |
| "Gravity" | Embrace | Out of Nothing | Writer | |
| "Do They Know It's Christmas?" | Band Aid 20 | – | Featured vocals | |
| 2006 | "All Good Things (Come to an End)" | Nelly Furtado | Loose | Co-writer, background vocals |
| "Beach Chair" | Jay-Z | Kingdom Come | Co-producer, featured vocals | |
| 2007 | "Homecoming" | Kanye West | Graduation | Co-writer, featured vocals, piano |
[edit] References
- ^ "Chris Martin Biography". The Biography Channel. http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_story/769:0/1/Chris_Martin.htm. Retrieved on 2008-11-04.
- ^ a b Thomson, Graeme (2008-05-04). "Rock star rebel with a cause". The Observer. http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2008/may/04/pop. Retrieved on 2009-03-21.
- ^ a b Sutton, Michael. "Chris Martin: Biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:acfexqekldse~T1. Retrieved on 2008-11-04.
- ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (2003-12-08). "Gwyneth, Chris Wedding Talk Heats Up". People. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,627228,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-11-04.
- ^ a b Ellen, Barbara (2003-12-07). "The Observer Profile: Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin". The Observer. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2003/dec/07/popandrock. Retrieved on 2008-11-04.
- ^ a b Boshoff, Alison (200-12-09). "The very genteel Mr Paltrow". Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-203666/The-genteel-Mr-Paltrow.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-21.
- ^ "X & Y = Zzzzzzzz". The Daily Telegraph. 2005-06-11. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/3617587/X-and-Y--Zzzzzzzz.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-22.
- ^ "The State of Coldplay". 'Q'. August 2002.
- ^ No byline (2003-01-27), "She's With The Band". People. 59 (3):69
- ^ ChartAttack.com staff (2001). "Compilation Brings Nelly Furtado and Chris Martin Together Forever" ChartAttack.com. Retrieved 2006-04-25.
- ^ NME staff author (2006). "Chris Martin to release solo collaboration" NME magazine. Retrieved 2006-04-26.
- ^ a b "The Immortals: The First Fifty". Rolling Stone Issue 946. Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5940051/the_immortals__the_greatest_artists_of_all_time_22_u2. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
- ^ "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939214/the_immortals_the_first_fifty/. Retrieved on 2009-03-22.
- ^ http://www.theinsider.com/news/936301_Chris_Martin_says_his_music_is_influenced_by_boyband_Westlife.
- ^ Sylvia Patterson (2008-10-05). "Girls uninterrupted". The Observer. Guardian Media Group. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/oct/05/girlsaloud.popandrock. Retrieved on 2008-10-06.
- ^ "Chris Martin : you can't just fancy one member of Girls Aloud, its all or nothing". Celebrities News. fametastic. 2008-10-07. http://uk-face.glam.com/blogs/fametastic/chris_martin_you_cant_just_fancy_one_member_of_girls_aloud_its_all_or_nothing/. Retrieved on 2008-04-12.
- ^ "Chris Martin reveals Coldplays secret love of Take That". Celebrities News. fametastic. 2008-11-17. http://fametastic.co.uk/archive/20081117/14184/chris-martin-reveals-coldplays-secret-love-of-take-that/. Retrieved on 2008-04-12.
- ^ Jason Gregory (2008-05-18). "Chris Martin : Kylie Minogue ie like Girls Aloud rolled into one". http://www.gigwise.com/news/43223/chris-martin-kylie-minogue-is-like-girls-aloud-rolled-into-one. Retrieved on 2009-05-08.
- ^ a b c "Shaun of the Dead (2004) - Trivia", IMDb, 2008, webpage: IMDb-5748: notes role as zombie, and singer in Ash music.
- ^ a b c "Shaun of the Dead movie trivia" (over 30 items), moviemistakes.com, 2008, webpage: MMis-4118: notes zombie role, Zomb-Aid, singing Ash music, clarifies zombie role walking @phone box by cafe.
- ^ Ben Child (2009-04-01). "Bono and Chris Martin record spoof single for Sacha Baron Cohen film". http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/apr/01/sacha-baron-cohen-bono-chris-martin.
- ^ "Coldplay". Oxfam. http://www.oxfam.org/en/getinvolved/ambassadors/coldplay. Retrieved on 2008-11-04.
- ^ Olaf Priol (2006). "Their wives met at yoga. Now Chris Martin plans to rock the vote for Cameron's Tories" The Guardian. Retrieved 2006-04-25.
- ^ Guardian staff (2006). "Talk to David" The Guardian. Retrieved 2006-04-26.
- ^ Hiatt, Brian (2003-12-10). "Gwyneth Paltrow marries Chris Martin". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,559500,00.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-24.
- ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (2004-05-14). "It's a Girl for Gwyneth Paltrow & Hubby". People. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,638322,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-11-04.
- ^ Robertson, Jessica (2006-04-10). "Coldplay's Chris Martin Has a Boy". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/9740171/coldplays_chris_martin_has_a_boy. Retrieved on 2009-03-24.
- ^ "Martin+Paltrow Name Pegg As Godfather". Contactmusic.com. 2007-09-09. http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/martin%20paltrow%20name%20pegg%20as%20godfather_1043099. Retrieved on 2009-03-17.
- ^ a b "Simon Pegg named Apple Martin's godfather", Celebrity Baby, 2007, webpage (has 10 ads): CB.
- ^ "Chris Martin named world's sexiest vegetarian". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2005-07-23. http://www.smh.com.au/news/people/chris-martin-named-worlds-sexiest-vegetarian/2005/07/23/1121539177645.html. Retrieved on 2008-05-20.
- ^ "Chris Martin: The stereo MC". The Independent. 2003-02-23. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/chris-martin-the-stereo-mc-598614.html. Retrieved on 2009-05-07.
- ^ a b Austin Scaggs (2005-08-11). "Coldplay's Quiet Storm". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7539555/cover_story_coldplays_quiet_storm/print. Retrieved on 2009-04-12.
- ^ "Coldplay's Chris Martin declares religious beliefs". NME. 2008-06-03. http://www.nme.com/news/daily-gossip/37051. Retrieved on 2008-11-04.
- ^ Soriano, Cesar G. (2003-07-21). "Smashing performance leads to arrest". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/2003-07-21-martin_x.htm. Retrieved on 2009-05-07.
[edit] External links
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