For my last blog post of the semester, I thought it would be fun to share some of the interesting facts about Adam Levine which I have discovered throughout my band research.  Enjoy!

1.  After breaking his sternum during an intense workout, Adam turned to yoga for exercise and got hooked right away [1].  Now, Maroon 5 travels with its own personal instructor to unwind before going onstage [2].

2.  Despite the massive amount of travelling the singer undergoes, his hatred of flying keeps him grounded as much as possible.  When travelling around the country, the band takes biodiesel-powered buses on tour [1].

3.  Adam loves golden retrievers!  His beloved Frankie Girl- for which he has a paw print tattooed on his right shoulder [3]- unfortunately passed away last year [4].  Recently, however, Adam introduced the world to his new puppy, Charlie [5].

4.  Despite his appearance in season 2 of American Horror Story, Adam hates the horror genre.  In an interview about his part in the television series, Adam expressed his fear saying “I’m never watching that show again!” [6]

5.  Adam was voted People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2013 [7]!

6.  Adam is moving into business and has already opened a clothing line with Kmart [8], released fragrances for both men and women [9], and even released his own designer music gear with First Act [10].

7.  Back when Maroon 5 was still Kara’s Flowers, Adam and the band guest starred on Beverly Hills 90210.  Adam was 15-years-old [2]!

8.  This one is one of my favorites.  When Adam was in Kara’s Flowers, he worked as a waiter at Johnny Rockets [1]!

9.  After struggling with acne during his childhood, Adam has become the new face of Proactiv Skin Care [11].

10.  Adam has known Jake Gyllenhaal since kindergarten [3]!  The two have remained close friends to this day [2].

11.  Adam has struggled with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder since his teenage years [2].  Now, he stars in a Public Service Announcement with the “Own It” campaign to raise awareness for the issue [12].

12.  Adam is ambidextrous.  He is predominantly left handed, but he plays his guitar with his right [2].

13.  Adam actually used to be embarrassed to sing in public until his elementary school music teacher inspired him to perform [7].  He was so shy at his first gig that he played with his back turned to the audience [3]!

14.  222- for which Adam named his record label and has tattooed on his forearm- is the number on the door of Maroon 5’s very first studio to ever record in [3].

I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog over the past several months, and I would like to thank you for all of the kind comments!  For fans of the band I will leave you with one last fact.  Maroon 5 has recently disclosed that they are in the works of creating a new album.  Though information is scarce, you can follow along on Twitter with #albuM5 to keep up to date!  Thank you again, and keep on listening!

Citations:

1. http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/993995/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-maroon-5s-adam-levine
2. http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/photos/21-fascinating-facts-about-adam-levine/179401
3. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1747013/bio
4. http://thedailygolden.com/2013/03/07/adam-levine-says-goodbye-to-his-golden-retriever-frankie-girl/
5. http://thedailygolden.com/2013/11/13/adam-levine-debuts-new-golden-retriever-puppy-on-the-voice/
6. http://www.accesshollywood.com/adam-levine-talks-american-horror-story-role-im-never-watching-that-show-again_video_1421453
7. http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20315920_20757452,00.html
8. http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/dap_10151_10104_DAP_AdamLevine?sid=KSx20070515x00001a&psid=122×360297&knshCrid=4084174&k_clickID=57aa7754-a334-ab88-43cd-00001799eb1f
9. http://www.fragrancenet.com/f/net/search_results.html?search_type=designer&search=adam%20levine&mv_pc=gawus_c_adam_levine_ds_adam_levine_perfume_e&gclid=CNqOrqvO3b0CFS1eOgod_i4AcQ
10. https://www.firstact.com/cobrands/adam-levine
11. http://www.proactiv.com/celebrity-stories?cgid=adam-levine-for-proactiv
12. http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/adam-levine-own-it-psa-adhd-struggle-preview-2014212

For fellow Adam Levine fans who (like me) watched the season 2 premiere of FX’s American Horror Story simply to see Adam’s guest appearance, have no fear!  Adam’s acting career has just begun.  In the upcoming 2014 film Begin Again, Adam moves from television to film for what fans can only hope will be the beginning of a long line of movies starring the pop icon [1].

Begin Again, which was originally titled Can a Song Save Your Life, had its world premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival [2].  It is a romantic comedy starring Adam Levine, Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, Catherine Keener, and even Adam’s former costar from The Voice Cee Lo Green.  The movie follows the lives of two people who have had their worlds turned upside down.  The first main character of the movie is Gretta, played by Keira Knightley, who is the girlfriend of Dave (Adam Levine).  In the movie, college sweethearts and songwriting partners Dave and Gretta move to New York after Dave gets signed to a record-label.  However, soon after the move, Dave becomes obsessed with his fame and fortune, and he breaks up with Gretta, leaving her heartbroken [1].

The second main character of the film is Dan, played by Mark Ruffalo.  After Dan gets fired from his position as a record-label executive, his life follows a downward spiral [1, 3].  Broke and a budding alcoholic, Dan is on the edge of insanity [3].  One day, however, things change.  While Dan is yet sitting in a bar one night in the East Village, Gretta goes on stage to sing one of her songs.  Dan is immediately caught under the spell of her voice and realizes her potential.  The two decide to work together, and the remainder of the story is about the pair trying to make it together and fix their broken lives [1].

Although Adam plays the role of a rather undesirable person, it will no doubt be fun to see him outside of the music industry.  Plus, an added bonus is that fans could possibly be seeing much more of Adam in the future.  Despite the fact that Adam had no prior experience in acting, just weeks after he agreed to appear in American Horror Story he was selected for his role in Begin Again [4].  Even though the singer had not even filmed a scene for his first television debut, he landed a role in a movie starring two Oscar nominees (Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley) [2, 4].  Hopefully, this push for Adam to jump start an acting career will continue so that fans can enjoy his many talents.

Be sure to look for Begin Again in theaters July 4^th [1]!

Citations:

1. http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=86609
2. http://www.indiewire.com/article/watch-mark-ruffalo-and-keira-knightley-get-a-second-chance-in-trailer-for-begin-again
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwLuDO_Cxfc
4. http://www.contactmusic.com/news/adam-levines-acting-career-takes-off-with-movie-role_1346006

Although this blog is primarily geared towards current Maroon 5 fans, I also like to try and convert readers who may not have been familiar with the band.  This week, therefore, I would like to discuss a few collaborations Maroon 5 has had with other artists that you may listen to in order to further peak your interest .

The first song on today’s list is “If I Never See Your Face Again.”  This sassy duet features the vocal talents of famous pop singer Rihanna, who was only too glad to work with who she said were “one of [her] favorite bands” [1].  The song is one of Maroon 5’s classic dysfunctional relationship melodies and was the first collaboration the band took part in since Adam’s work with Kanye West on “Heard ‘Em Say.”  The video for “If I Never See Your Face Again,” which also features Rihanna, perfectly conveys the tension displayed in the song’s lyrics and makes for a great watch [1].

The next song is a relatively unknown Maroon 5 collaboration.  “Come Away to the Water” features Rozzi Crane, the first singer signed to Adam Levine’s record label, 222 Records.  Adam first discovered the music student from the University of Southern California when two of Rozzi’s classmates (Sam Farrar and Jacques Brautbar from the band Phantom Planet) showed the artist’s work to Adam’s manager [2].  “Come Away to the Water” is a song actually featured in the first movie of The Hunger Games franchise and is a rather chilling duet reflecting the ominous tone of the movie’s plot.  Hear it for yourself!

Last but definitely not least, however, is my favorite collaboration by Maroon 5: “Payphone” featuring rapper Wiz Khalifa.  I was lucky enough to see the artists perform this particular song together live, and I have to say it was phenomenal.  The song is, of course, about getting through a failed relationship, but it is perhaps better known for its theatrical video than its lyrics.  The video features Adam Levine as a bank employee on an average day of work.  Adam is trying to make some headway with a female coworker whom he obviously has a crush on when suddenly bank robbers (one played by guitarist James Valentine) storm the bank with guns.  Adam heroically disarms a robber, pulls his beloved from the bank, and proceeds to steal Wiz Khalifa’s car to run from the police who mistake him for the gunman [3].  Overall, the video truly has nothing to do with the song, which is perhaps why it has received so much attention.  However, for fans of the band, it is still fun to watch Adam portray an action hero in a very movie-like setting.  Does Adam successfully elude the police?  Does he get the girl in the end?  Watch the video and see for yourself!

Didn’t see an artist you like?  Then be sure to listen to “Out of Goodbyes” featuring Lady Antebellum, the Mark Ronson remix of “Wake Up Call” with Mary J. Blige, and/ or, of course, the extremely popular “Moves Like Jagger” featuring Christina Aguilera!

Citations:

1. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1586264/rihanna-maroon-5-team-up-magic-collaboration.jhtml
2. http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/08/16/studioa-adam-levine-protegee-rozzi-crane-exclusive-video/2663861/
3. http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/viral-videos/488662/watch-maroon-5-battle-bank-robbers-confused-cops-in-payphone

Many musicians in today’s world have taken up a cause to raise awareness with fans.  From Elton John’s AIDS Foundation [1] to Eminem’s Marshall Mathers Foundation [2], artists often use their fame to help solve issues they find personal interest in.  For Maroon 5, environmental awareness is at the top of the list.

For the last five years, Maroon 5 has partnered with the non-profit organization REVERB to create “green” tours, raise money for local environmental awareness groups, and broaden the public’s knowledge about the green movement [3].

On Maroon 5’s recent Honda Civic Tour, REVERB took countless steps to offset the impacts of the band’s carbon footprint from compostable dining utensils to eco-friendly cleaners.  To name a few statistics REVERB recycled 7,740 gallons of materials to keep out of landfills, prevented the use of 10,613 disposable water bottles, and contributed 727 metric tons of carbon offset!  For this last goal, REVERB calculated the carbon emissions from the tour trucks, buses, planes, and more and offset the effects through support of a carbon illuminating project in Kenya that also provides locals with clean drinking water [3].

In addition to helping Maroon 5 contribute to the movement, REVERB also got the public involved by raising awareness for environmental friendliness.  To do so, the organization set up eco-villages at each concert to teach fans about the importance of the green movement and raise money for local non-profits.  The villages included interactive stations such as a solar powered cell phone charger and a booth for signing and sending postcards to local representatives in support of The Lacey Act, a law keeping illegally logged wood from entering the United States.  Overall, the eco-villages were a huge success, raising a total of $35,266 for 35 local non-profits [3].

Maroon 5’s partnership with REVERB is not, however, limited to touring!  Recently, band members James Valentine and Mickey Madden joined forces with REVERB for a day of service for FREEHAB, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for homeless teens leaving foster care [4, 5].  James and Mickey helped build the 100-bed green apartment building for the teens with features such as bamboo floors, artwork from recycled materials, and even recycled furniture and countertops!  In an interview, Mickey called the event “very touching” and James said that they were “happy to be a part of it” [4].

In addition to working with Maroon 5, REVERB has worked with over 40 different artists including Avril Lavigne, Jason Mraz, Coldplay, and, another one of my favorite artists, Jack Johnson [6].  See if any of your favorite musicians are involved and check out the movement at http://www.REVERB.org/rvb.html!

Citations:

1. http://ejaf.org/
2. https://www.looktothestars.org/charity/marshall-mathers-foundation
3. http://m5green.org/
4. http://www.reverb.org/M5service.html
5. https://freehab.net/
6. http://www.reverb.org/partners/artists-2

With their second Grammy winning song, Maroon 5 took the saying “slow and steady wins the race” to a whole new level.  “Makes Me Wonder,” the hit song from the band’s second album It Won’t Be Soon Before Long in 2007 [1], was actually quite troubling for some time.  The song, which began as the story of one of Adam Levine’s failed relationships, was surprisingly one of the very first demos recorded by the band when they started out on the road [2,3].  However, the pop jam was continuously put on the back burner as the band could not come up with a suitable chorus.  After four long years [3], however, they came up with one verse that would elevate not only the song, but also the band to new heights.

During the later time period of the song’s writing, the United States became deeply involved in the war in Iraq.  Adam, who was rather disappointed with the government at the time, said that he wanted to write about his political feelings without sounding “preachy” [4].  For this, “Makes Me Wonder” offered the perfect outlet.  The band added the line “Give me something to believe in, ‘cause I don’t believe in you anymore” [4] as the song’s chorus, and the storylines of love and politics became one.

Maroon 5 successfully and ingeniously expressed their underlying feelings about the direction of the United States’ foreign policy through an abstract message hidden within a love song.   When later asked about the line, Adam told the media that the statement “kind of had something to do with [the band’s] growing dissatisfaction with things and the confusion that was in the air – maybe not targeted at the Bush administration, but maybe dancing around that territory a little bit” [2].

The song was a smash!  “Makes Me Wonder” became only the third song of the decade “to reach the top 15 of the Adult Top 40 chart in two weeks or less” [5] and saw the largest jump to number one the Billboard Hot 100 had ever seen [6].  The success peaked in early 2008 [7] with Maroon 5’s Grammy win for “Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals” for 2007 [8].  Today, “Makes Me Wonder” stands as the band’s fifth most popular single-song download in iTunes after “Moves Like Jagger,” “One More Night,” “She Will Be Loved,” and “Daylight” [1].  Overall, by combining the contrasting topics of love and war into a single song, Maroon 5 made a statement and history all at once.

Citations:

1. iTunes
2. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1555064/maroon-5-shoot-video-at-fantasy-airport.jhtml
3. http://mixonline.com/recording/tracking/audio_maroon_2/
4. http://www.news.com.au/politics-without-preaching/story-e6frfn79-1111113447292
5. http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052866/timbaland-soars-to-no-1-after-sales-explosion
6. http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052374/maroon-5-makes-wondrous-jump-to-lead-hot-100
7. http://www.grammy.com/news/grammy-rewind-50th-annual-grammy-awards
8. http://www.grammy.com/artist/maroon-5

Look out readers!  Adam Levine is back for Season 6 of The Voice, and the show has begun with a bang!

For those of you who are not familiar with NBC’s hit show, The Voice, the program serves as a talent competition for singers young and old to prove themselves and make it big.  The show is based primarily on the idea that beautiful music does not need to be reflected on the outside, but from within.  To mirror this, a panel of four celebrity judges are seated with their backs to the stage for what are referred to as the “Blind Auditions.”  Then, as judges hear rather than see what they like, they can hit their buttons and turn around to see who they picked for their team.  If more than one judge turns around, it is up to the singer to pick a coach for the season.

One of the two judges who have been with the show from the very beginning is Adam Levine.  Adam’s fame skyrocketed after joining The Voice as a judge and helped change his reputation from the bad-boy rocker to a kind-hearted jokester.  Similarly, the publicity has had a wonderful impact on Maroon 5 as a whole.  For example, in 2012 alone, the band literally used the show as the stage for their premiere singles “Payphone” and “Daylight” [1,2,3].

Overall, Adam’s team has won the competition twice (the first season with Javier Colon [4] and the fifth with Tessanne Chin [5]).  The success has not stopped there, however, for Adam even signed season two team member Tony Lucca (shown below) to his record label named 222 Records after Lucca finished second runner-up [6,7].

Over the years, Adam has even been said to form a “bromance” with other long-term judge Blake Shelton.  The country singer and the pop star share a wonderful dynamic, making jokes back and forth and giving the show a fun and exciting flavor.

With each season of The Voice comes new surprises.  From greater voter influence to the ability of judges to “save” their favorite artists during the “Battle Rounds,” the show keeps viewers interested from beginning to end.  Season 6, however (which premiered yesterday February 24, 2014) started with one of the biggest surprises yet!  The show opened with Blake Shelton singing fellow judge Shakira’s song “Whenever, Wherever,” Shakira singing Blake’s song “Boys ‘Round Here,” Usher singing Maroon 5’s song “Love Somebody,” and Adam singing fellow judge Usher’s verse in David Guetta’s song “Without You.”  Check it out!

Although this is all I have time for in today’s blog post, be sure to catch Adam on The Voice on NBC Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c!

Citations:

1. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/adam-levine-the-voice-maroon-5-426002?page=show
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tDyFzVJDM8
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmZy_a6Y-DI
4. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20506815,00.html
5. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/voice-season-5-winner-named-666508
6. http://www.starpulse.com/news/Dave_Simpson/2013/06/17/adam_levine_offered_to_launch_label_fo
7. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/voice-tony-lucca-christina-aguilera-387824

With all of the sound enhancements used in today’s music, it can be difficult to tell if bands and/ or singers have real talent.  From auto tune to lip-syncing, no one really knows if they are hearing a true performance, or simply a modified version of what the writers “want” the song to sound like.  As a result, many fans have found disappointment in seeing their favorite bands live, hearing more of the tech than the talk.  Today, however, I would like to prove to you that Maroon 5 is not one of those bands.  After seeing them twice in concert, I have witnessed Maroon 5’s true artistry at work.  Each member is an incredibly talented musician, and the band puts on an amazing performance.

On August 1, 2013 in St. Louis, Maroon 5 began performances for the 2013 Honda Civic Tour, a promotion for exclusive Maroon 5 styled and signed vehicles.  Though Maroon 5 was the head of the show, the performance included acts by pop star Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton,  upcoming artist Rozzi Crane, and Adam Levine’s NBC show The Voice contestant Tony Lucca depending on the dates [1].

On September 1^st, I got to personally see the band perform when the tour came to the Toyota Pavilion in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  Rozzi Crane opened the show to warm up the crowd and Kelly Clarkson followed with a spectacular performance of both visuals and vocals.  Finally, when it was Maroon 5’s turn, they not only dazzled the crowd, but blew them away.

The show was incredible.  Maroon 5 played everything from Songs About Jane to Overexposed and hit crowd favorites like “Moves Like Jagger” and “Payphone” while an amazing lightshow played in the background.  Adam Levine kept everyone on their toes when he smoothly transitioned into a cover of “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk, and, though the crowd expected a new song to start at the rap breakdown of “Stereo Hearts” by Gym Class Heroes, Adam surprised the crowd yet again by continuing to sing the next rap verse.  The entire performance showed of the band’s talent.  Not only did the songs sound exactly like those on the band’s albums, but they also featured additional solos by Adam Levine and James Valentine on guitar.  Towards the middle of the concert, the band included the crowd in the performance when Adam threw giant beach balls offstage, and, at the end, the singer even gave away his guitar to one lucky fan in the front row.

Overall, I can honestly say that the 2013 Honda Civic Tour concert was the best concert I have ever been to.  Maroon 5’s performance was top notch on sound, sight, and energy, and the experience was without a doubt the most fun I have ever had at a concert.  So the next time Maroon 5 is playing near you, be sure to check it out.  You won’t regret a second.

Check out my video of Maroon 5 performing Won’t Go Home Without You!

Citation:

1. http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Maroon-5-Adam-Levine-THE-VOICE-Artists-to-Join-Kelly-Clarkson-on-Tour-20130401#.Uv7q8ziYaM8

Though most of you reading this blog may know of Maroon 5’s collaborations with other artists for popular tunes like “Moves Like Jagger” and “Payphone,” much of Adam Levine’s solo work in other genres is hard to find.  The 2011 Gym Class Heroes’ hit “Stereo Hearts” wonderfully showed off Adam’s artistic ability, but this was yet another pop song [1].  As I have stated in previous posts, Adam Levine has been known to study various genres of music including R&B and even folk [2].  Through my years of searching for everything Maroon 5 I could find, I have discovered several songs featuring Adam Levine and his many talents that I think you readers might enjoy!

The first song I would like to discuss today is a more well-known hit called “Heard ‘Em Say.”  The song was actually released as a hip-hop/ rap song on Kanye West’s album Late Registration in 2005 [1].  The strange duo first met when Maroon 5 hired West to remix their hit single “This Love.”  Then, after Levine and West shared music demos on a plane ride to the MTV Europe Music Awards, they decided to combine music styles [3].  The song perfectly mixes West’s rap style with Adam’s soulful voice, featuring Adam singing the chorus of “Nothing Lasts Forever” from the Maroon 5 album It Won’t Be Soon Before Long in between phrases [1].  The track is great for anyone who loves pop or rap, and its smooth rhythm is great for relaxation.

The next song is perhaps the strangest artist combination of today’s selections.  “Gotten” is a song actually listed under the genre of rock, and it was released in 2010 by Slash, the famous guitarist of Guns N’ Roses [1,4].  The track is actually a mix of one of Slash’s previous songs from his solo album of the same year overlapped with Adam Levine’s vocals.  This is an extremely heartfelt piece that is calmer than one might think a rocker like Slash would create.  However, what makes this song truly great is that both the audio and video were made to raise awareness for homeless teens in Los Angeles, and the proceeds from the collaboration actually benefit the Los Angeles Youth Foundation.  Take a listen to the song, and if you are interested check out http://slashonline.com/gotten/ [4].

Last but not least is my favorite of today’s three song choices: the song “Heavy” off of Maroon 5’s stand-in keyboardist PJ Morton’s album New Orleans [1].  This song features both Adam Levine on vocals and extremely talented Maroon 5 guitarist James Valentine and is the perfect combination of funk and soul [5].  The incredibly catchy back beat that will get anyone dancing, and the contrast of Adam’s and PJ’s voices makes the track a paradise for your senses.  This wonderful R&B/ soul record brightens my day every time I hear it, and I hope it will do the same for you [1]!

Citations:

1. Song dates,genres, and album names found in info section in iTunes
2. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1457217/maroon-5-want-make-cry.jhtml
3. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1511892/kanye-kids-run-amok-surreal-macys-new-clip.jhtml
4. http://slashonline.com/gotten/
5. http://www.examiner.com/article/maroon-5-s-pj-morton-releases-ep-featuring-adam-levine-and-james-valentine

As Kara’s Flowers took on the new identity of Maroon 5, the band’s music saw a similar change.  During his time in New York, Adam Levine began studying different styles of music.  He took a great deal of inspiration from Stevie Wonder and brought a new understanding of hip-hop and R&B back to Los Angeles [1].  After a great deal of experimentation, the group finally decided to focus on pop as their primary genre [2].

Finally, the band’s hard work paid off, and Maroon 5 was signed to Octone Records in 2001 (the record company with which they have remained until today) [1,3].  In June of 2002, Maroon 5 released its first album, Songs About Jane [1].  Although it took some time for the album to gain popularity (about a year in fact), the record became a hit, eventually going triple platinum [4].

Of the five hit singles that came off of Maroon 5’s first album (“Harder to Breathe,” “This Love,” “She Will Be Loved,” “Sunday Morning,” and “Must Get Out”) [5], the most interesting story surrounds the song “This Love.”  Interestingly, the entirety of Songs About Jane was in fact written about Adam Levine’s ex-girlfriend Jane.  Adam has stated himself that each song from the album contains at least one lyric dedicated to this mystery woman.  The song “This Love,” however, has an even deeper meaning.  Adam wrote this heart-wrenching single the very day he and Jane broke up and she moved away [2].  The lyrics state:

The chaos that controlled my mind
Whispered goodbye and she got on a plane
Never to return again
But always in my heart

This love has taken its toll on me
She said Goodbye too many times before
And her heart is breaking in front of me
And I have no choice cause I won’t say goodbye anymore [6]

Hear it for yourself!

In an amazing feat of irony, “This Love” was actually the single, released a year after the album, which caused Maroon 5’s jump to fame [4].  What started as a release of emotion over a terrible event in Adam’s life turned into an incredible area of success for the band.  “This Love” was an instant hit, and, in 2005, the song won a Grammy for the Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal [7].  Keyboardist Jessie Carmichael even joked that “[the band needed] to get Adam back in a dysfunctional relationship pronto.” [2]  All jokes aside, though, it takes true emotion to write a hit album, and Maroon 5 could not have done any better with Songs About Jane.

Citations:

1. http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/maroon_5/news_feature_040308/index.jhtml
2. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1457217/maroon-5-want-make-cry.jhtml
3. iTunes information on Overexposed (latest album)
4. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Music/Maroon5
5. http://www.soundscapemagazine.com/maroon5songsaboutjaneanniversary/
6. http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/maroon5/thislove.html
7. http://www.grammy.com/artist/maroon-5

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)

http://www.maroon5.com/bio/

(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