Whether you are a lover of the band Maroon 5 or simply a curious reader, thank you for taking the time to visit my site. As this is the first installment in my Maroon 5 webblog, I find it appropriate to provide you with an introduction to the band. This pop/rock group is personally my favorite band, and I hope that after reading my blog you too will gain an appreciation for their music. Some of you, even avid listeners of Maroon 5, may not know that the band was originally created under the name of Kara’s Flowers in 1995 by singer Adam Levine, guitarist Jessie Carmichael, bass guitarist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick. The group was your typical high school band, playing out of garages and basements in Los Angeles and Malibu, California until they were signed by Reprise Records. Kara’s Flowers was heavily influenced both in music and fashion by bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and the Beatles, and, in 1997, they released their very first album titled The Fourth World.
Unfortunately, though, due to poor response from listeners, Reprise chose to drop Kara’s Flowers. The band came close to falling apart, but after Adam and Jessie left and returned from a semester at college in Long Island, the band underwent a similar transformation. James Valentine, a talented guitarist joined the band, Jesse switched from playing guitar to keyboard, and Kara’s Flowers became Maroon 5. The true meaning behind the band’s name is a secret, however, and only band members and, interestingly, Billy Joel know the meaning behind the words. Maroon 5 has gone on to become perhaps one of the most popular bands of the 2000s. Although members have been lost and gained along the way (Ryan Dusick was replaced by Matt Flynn after an injury and PJ Morton is currently standing in for Jessie Carmichael as he pursues suspended plans), the band has seen incredible success over the years. They have won three Grammy Awards, two People’s Choice Awards, one World Music Award, and countless other honors and nominations. Recently, beginning with Adam Levine’s recording of “Stereo Hearts” in 2011 with Gym Class Heroes, Maroon 5 has also seen a revitalization in their music style by choosing to work with other writers. As this blog continues over the course of this semester, I will explore more about the band’s members, songs, and collaborations while trying to make the site as interactive as possible for readers. Thank you again for reading my blog, and remember to check in once in a while for more fun and exciting facts about one of the greatest bands of our generation! Also, be sure to check out “Soap Disco” by Kara’s Flowers.
Citations:
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/karas-flowers-mn0000855690/biography
(Summary of the band Kara’s Flowers)
(Summary of the band Maroon 5 from the point of view of bass guitarist Mickey Madden)
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/celebrity/maroon_5/awards.html
(Summary of Maroon 5 awards and nominations)
Date of publication of “Stereo Hearts (feat. Adam Levine)” released by Gym Class Heroes taken from iTunes
So weird seeing Adam Levine in the 90s… he’s still super attractive though.
Great start to your passion blog, I can tell it’s gonna be very interesting and fun to read. I really had no idea where Maroon 5 came from, it’s always cool to see how popular bands start. Can’t wait to read more!
Very interesting blog! It’s always good to learn about a bands origins and where they came from, so this was a very good place to start! I thought it was funny how only the band, and Billy Joel, know the meaning behind the bands name. All in all, a good blog and very in depth about where they began!
I’m really excited about this blog! I had no idea that Maroon 5 wasn’t always Maroon 5. I knew that they started in high school, but I didn’t know that they were dropped by their first producer. I bet that is kicking himself now…
I’ve only listened to a few of Maroon 5’s songs, but was never actually an avid fan. Most of information that you provided was really interesting and intriguing. I had very little knowledge of how this band started and has grown over the years.
Wow tis is probably the most I now know about Maroon 5 and its actually pretty cool to know of their origins. Kara’s Flowers is such a cute name but Maroon 5 fits their image now much better!
Though I pride myself on having a wide range of musical knowledge, I can honestly say I never knew Maroon 5 was originally called Kara’s Flowers. Also, its interesting to see that even the most renowned bands that seem to have everything together almost always deal with conflicts within the band.