I went to the Isle of Wight festival over the weekend and, maybe it was the heat, but as I stood there watching Coldplay, a thought occurred to me: is Chris Martin the new Elvis Presley? Let me qualify that.
Elvis was as much known for his magnetic personality and on-stage shenanigans as he was his incredible voice. You could not watch him perform without feeling immense affection for the cat-suited crooner as he leapt about the stage throwing karate chops and crooked high-kicks. He was quite amazingly personable.
Chris Martin has a similar ability. He is almost unique in his ability to interact effortlessly with the crowd and frequently engages, inbetween songs, in genuinely amusing, ad-libbed repartee rarely seen elsewhere.
So he may write a good song. He may hold a top tune. He may even play a range of instruments. But more, much more than that, is the good-natured warmth he radiates. And, in that, hey, one for the money, two for the show... he does it Elvis's way.
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