Christopher Anthony John Martin is an English singer, songwriter, musician and producer. He is best known as the vocalist, pianist and co-founder of the rock band Coldplay.
Born in Exeter, Martin went to University College London, where he formed Coldplay with Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion. The band signed with Parlophone in 1999, finding global fame with Parachutes (2000) and subsequent albums. He has won seven Grammy Awards and nine Brit Awards as part of Coldplay. Having sold more than 160 million records worldwide, they are the most successful group of the 21st century. The Independent and the Evening Standard have named Martin one of the most influential figures in the United Kingdom, while American Songwriter ranked him among the best male singers of the 21st century.