Kings of Leon - History
The group members of Kings of Leon are:
Nathan Followill (drums)
Caleb Followill (lead singer/rhythm guitar)
Jared Followill (bass)
Matthew Followill (lead guitar)
The band's name is imitative from Nathan, Caleb, and Jared's father and grandfather, both named Leon. Jared and Caleb were born in Tennessee, while Nathan and Matthew were born in Oklahoma. The brothers spent much of their time of youth travelling with their father in America, a travelling Pentecostal preacher and their mother, who taught them when they were not in school. According to Rolling Stone magazine, "While Leon preached at churches and tent revivals throughout the Deep South, the boys attended services and were infrequently enlisted to bang on some drums. They were home-schooled or enrolled in small parochial schools. Except for a five-year stretch when they settled in Jackson, Tennessee, the Followills spent their childhoods driving through the South in a purple 1988 Oldsmobile, decamping for a week or two where on earth Leon was scheduled to preach."
Their parents divorced in 1997 and after various jobs, the brothers shifted to Nashville in 1998. They shaped a band in 2000 with their cousin Matthew. Their music is affected by their religious upbringing and their Southern roots. They got their start with their album Youth and Young Manhood and rose to relative stardom, especially outside the United States, by being chosen by popular rock bands The Strokes and U2 to tour with them. Standout tracks include the lively "Molly's Chambers" and soulful "California Waiting". Their second album Aha Shake Heartbreak was launched in the United Kingdom in October 2004 to widespread acclaim. The album was praised for its mix of garage rock and Southern swagger. "The Bucket", "4 Kicks", and "King of the Rodeo" have been released as singles thus far. Aha Shake Heartbreak was released on February 22, 2005 in the United States.
The Kings of Leon often tour with their cousin and tour technician Christopher, aka Nacho.
Kings of Leon presented some of their major hits as they wowed the crowds at Virgin Media's V Festival.
