Becoming a Band
The boys from Maroon 5 came to fame in the early 2000s after the release of their first album, Songs About Jane. Before this, the band was playing gigs in Los Angeles under the name Kara’s Flowers (named after a girl they had a collective crush on).
The four original band members – Adam Levine (lead vocals), Jesse Carmichael (keyboard, rhythm guitar), Mickey Madden (bass guitar) and Ryan Dusick (drums) – had been together since high school, where they attended Brentwood Private School (this is the same school Jonah Hill – of Superbad fame – attended too). In 2001 they recruited guitarist James Valentine and Maroon 5 as we know it was created.
A Star is Born
Since their first CD was released in 2002, the band has seen constant fame and success. By 2004, Songs About Jane reached the Top 20 on the Billboard 200, and then peaked at the number six spot. The band went on a 17-country tour that had them playing with musical legends like John Mayer, The Rolling Stones and Gavin DeGraw. Unfortunately, their drummer Ryan suffered an injury during the tour and had to be replaced by current band mate Matt Flynn shortly before the second album It Won’t Be Soon Before Long was released. Their second CD received the same treatment as the first, and Maroon 5 was once again at the top of the charts with their hit single “Makes Me Wonder.”
Misery
In June 2010, the band’s highly anticipated single “Misery” was revealed and on September 21, 2010, their third album, Hands All Over, was released. The new CD has 15 original songs that reflect the original vibe of the band, but with a twist. "There's some new directions. There's some Motown. There's even some country and some straight-ahead, really simple pop rock music that's kind of our thing," lead singer Adam told MTV.
Did you Know?
- The band has sold more than 15 million copies of their CDs.
- The new CD Hands All Over was produced in Switzerland.
- The guys were only 22 when their first CD was released.
- The music video for “Misery” stars Adam and his girlfriend, model Anne Vyalitsyna.
- Adam announced on Twitter that he would give one fan his Harley-Davidson motorcycle if Hands All Over debuts at the top of the Billboard Top 200 album chart.
