LA-based neo-soul rock outfit: Adam Levine - Vocals; Matt Flynn - Drums; Jesse Carmichael - Keyboards; James Valentine - Guitar; Mickey Madden - Bass.Three (Levine, Carmichael, and Madden) of the five members were previously known as Kara's Flowers. High school rock band with a record deal. Their first album The Fourth World didn't do well, and the recording contract was terminated. Levine and Carmichael left LA for the State University of New York, where gospel, soul and funk influences from the halls of residence gave them a new perspective and inspiration. Back in LA, the three got back together, added James Valentine, and Maroon 5 was born.Signed to Octone Records, and started recording October 2001 with Producer, Matt Wallace.By end of 2004, over 500 live shows, a consistent headline act in its own right, Maroon 5's debut album, Songs About Jane, sold more than 3,000,000 records. Appearances on the Tonight Show, The Today Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Last Call with Carson Daly, and the Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn. The single, This Love was #1 on the top 40, VH1 and MTV simultaneously, and was also the first song ever to be certified as a platinum download.
Maroon 5 has won several awards for its debut album Songs About Jane. Released in June 2002, the album enjoyed major chart success, going gold, platinum, and triple platinum in many countries around the world. In support of Songs About Jane, Maroon 5 toured extensively throughout 2003 ? 2005, in which a live album was released, entitled Live - Friday the 13th. Original member Ryan Dusick left the band in September 2006, due to injuries sustained by the constant touring, and was replaced by Matt Flynn.
After a hiatus from the music scene, Maroon 5 released their second studio album, It Won't Be Soon Before Long in May 2007, five years after Songs About Jane. The second set debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with first week sales of nearly half a million. The album has since gone on to become platinum with 1.8 million albums sold in the United States alone and over 3.5 million world wide. The band performed throughout the summer and fall of 2007, including a North American tour with The Hives. They followed that with a world tour with New Found Glory. Beginning March 28, 2008, they will tour with Counting Crows and Sara Bareilles.
From Wikipedia:Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. While they were in high school, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Levine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bass guitarist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick formed a garage band called Kara's Flowers and released one album in 1997. After a brief period they re-formed with guitarist James Valentine, and pursued a new direction as Maroon 5. The following year they released their debut album Songs About Jane, which contained four hit singles: "Harder to Breathe", "This Love", "She Will Be Loved" and "Sunday Morning"; it also enjoyed major chart success, going gold, platinum, and triple platinum in many countries around the world.
In support of Songs About Jane, Maroon 5 toured extensively throughout 2003?2005, during which time two live albums were released. The band won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2005. Dusick left the band in September 2006, citing injuries sustained by constant touring, and was replaced by Matt Flynn. Maroon 5's second studio album It Won't Be Soon Before Long was released in 2007, with the singles "Makes Me Wonder", "Won't Go Home Without You" and "Wake Up Call". The band performed live in two tours between June and November 2007, during which time a compilation of previously unreleased songs, The B-Side Collection, was released.