Maroon 5's James Valentine

Pop-rock band Maroon 5 has already had fans rockin’ out to their latest single, “Misery,” along with the anticipation for their upcoming album, Hands All Over, being released later this summer. Despite hitting the mainstream in 2004, the band has been active since the early nineties. Originally named Kara’s Flowers, singer/songwriter Adam Levine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bassist Mickey Madden, drummer Matt Flynn and lead guitarist James Valentine, have been entertaining crowds with their brilliant music for nearly two decades.

After a brief hiatus in the late nineties, the band reunited and placed their focus on music. The group also felt that it was time for a new name to help symbolize a new image and direction they were heading to, eventually being renamed to Maroon 5.

With their musical talent, along with composing captivating tunes, the band caught the attention of several record labels, including Octone records. This New York based label later signed the band in the spring of 2001. With the help of producer Matt Wallace, they recorded songs throughout the year that would later be featured on their debut album, Songs About Jane, which was released in the summer of 2002.

Songs of Jane was a huge success thanks in part to the release of several hit singles. The band reached a new level of popularity with the release of the 2004 hit single, “This Love,” which peaked at number five on the Hot 100 charts. The music video released for the single featured Levine and then-girlfriend, model Kelly McKee, in a few intimate scenes. The album’s third single, “She Will Be Loved,” was also a huge success as it reached number five in the United States and had well over two million downloads. The music video for this single is known for featuring Kelly Preston, famous actress and wife of John Travolta. The song would later be featured in the Guitar Hero series and the film, The Last Song (2010). The album was certified platinum in several different countries, and helped the group win a Grammy award for Best New Artist.

In 2007, the band released their long awaited album; It Won’t Be Soon Before Long. The album was met with positive reviews as most critics were generally in favor of it. The first single, “Makes Me Wonder,” was an instant success as it climbed sixty places all the way to number one on the Hot 100 charts, the biggest jump in Hot 100 history. The album’s next single, “Wake Up Call,” peaked at number nineteen on the US Hot 100 charts, and was featured on an episode of HBO’s Entourage. Their third single, “Won’t Go Home Without You,” peaked at number three on the US Adult Contemporary vocals charts. In 2008, the fourth single, “If I Never See Your Face Again” featuring R&B singer Rihanna, was released and reached number ten on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs. , “Goodnight,Goodnight” was also released in late 2008 and was featured on an episode of CBS’ CSI: NY.

In our exclusive interview with guitarist, James Valentine, he discusses topics such as what makes their upcoming album different from previous albums, memories of working with the Rolling Stones, tour plans, and much more!