Kings Of Leon Biography

The southern rock outfit Kings of Leon is comprised of the brothers Caleb (guitar), Nathan (drums), and Jared Followill (bass). While traveling across America's heartland during the late '80s and '90s with their evangelist father, the boys listened to the Rolling Stones and Neil Young. By the time Kings of Leon settled in Nashville in 1998, making music a career was already underway. Taking Leon from the names of their father and paternal grandfather, the Followill family formed a band in 2000 and added cousin Matthew to the group. Within months a southern garage rock sound quickly emerged. A deal with RCA followed in 2001 and their Holy Roller Novocaine EP appeared two years later. Tours across North America and the UK coincided with the release of Youth and Young Manhood in summer 2003. In 2004 the band reunited with producer Ethan Johns and began work on their follow-up. Aha Shake Heartbreak was released in Europe later that year, and in the United States in February 2005. The darker, more expansive Because Of The Times followed in 2007. MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide