Adam Levine

Adam Levine was born in Los Angeles, California and began playing music in 1994 with junior-high friends Jesse Carmichael (guitar), Mickey Madden (bass), and Ryan Dusick (drums). Under the influence of groups like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, the four formed alternative rock band Kara's Flowers and eventually scored a record deal with Reprise. The album didn’t do so hot and after a few years their contract with Reprise was gone. Following the termination of its deal, the band went on hiatus and Levine headed to New York with Carmichael to attend Five Towns College on Long Island. While there, he was exposed to a whole new music scene and absorbed new influences like hip-hop, soul, gospel, and R&B. These new influences shaped the way Levine, wrote, and even sang. With this whole new lease on music, Levine teamed back up with Kara's Flowers. After adding in new guitarist James Valentine, Maroon 5 was born. Levine has an extensive collection of guitars including a Gibson SG, Les Paul, & Explorer, as well as a Fender American Standard Telecaster. Mesa/Boogie and Marshall are what power Levine’s guitars, and a slue of effects from Boss to Line 6 give him his sound with Maroon 5.