Words by Adam Levine has been one of pop music’s most recognizable voices for more than two decades. As the frontman of Maroon 5, he has sold tens of millions of records, and as a coach on NBC’s “The Voice,” he became a familiar face in living rooms across America.
Early life
Adam Noah Levine was born on March 18, 1979, in Los Angeles. He grew up in the Brentwood neighborhood and attended Brentwood School, where he met future bandmates Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden and Ryan Dusick.
As teenagers, the four formed a band called Kara’s Flowers. They signed with Reprise Records and released an album, “The Fourth World,” in 1997, but it failed to catch on and the label dropped them.
Maroon 5
Levine and Carmichael spent time studying in New York, where they absorbed soul, R&B and hip-hop influences. Back in Los Angeles, the band added guitarist James Valentine and reformed as Maroon 5 in 2001.
Their debut album, “Songs About Jane” (2002), was a slow-burning success. Singles “Harder to Breathe,” “This Love” and “She Will Be Loved” turned it into a multiplatinum hit, and Maroon 5 won the Grammy for best new artist in 2005. “This Love” also won a Grammy for best pop performance by a duo or group.
A run of hits
The band’s second album, “It Won’t Be Soon Before Long” (2007), opened with “Makes Me Wonder,” which became their first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album “Hands All Over” (2010) followed.
In 2011, “Moves Like Jagger,” featuring Christina Aguilera, spent four weeks at No. 1 and became one of the biggest songs of the year. Later hits included “Payphone,” “One More Night,” “Maps,” “Sugar,” “Animals,” “Don’t Wanna Know,” “What Lovers Do,” “Memories” and “Girls Like You,” featuring Cardi B, which spent seven weeks at No. 1 in 2018.
Maroon 5 has won three Grammy Awards and has been one of the best-selling groups of the streaming era.
The Voice
Levine joined NBC’s singing competition “The Voice” as an original coach when it premiered in 2011, alongside Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera and CeeLo Green. His playful rivalry with Shelton became one of the show’s trademarks.
He coached for 16 seasons and won three times before leaving in 2019. The show helped introduce him to audiences who knew little about Maroon 5.
Acting
Levine appeared as a recurring character in “American Horror Story: Asylum” (2012) and starred opposite Keira Knightley in the music-centered film “Begin Again” (2013), for which he also performed on the soundtrack, including the song “Lost Stars.”
Super Bowl and touring
Maroon 5 headlined the Super Bowl LIII halftime show in Atlanta in 2019, joined by Travis Scott and Big Boi. The band has also headlined arenas worldwide and has held a residency in Las Vegas.
Personal life
Levine married model Behati Prinsloo in 2014. The couple has three children. He has spoken publicly about being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a child and has worked to raise awareness about adult ADHD.
Business ventures
Levine launched a fragrance line and a clothing collection and has invested in restaurants and other ventures. He also founded a record label imprint, 222 Records, named after the band’s early rehearsal space.
Musical style
Levine’s falsetto and blend of pop, funk and soul set Maroon 5 apart in the early 2000s, when rock radio was dominated by heavier sounds. Over time the band moved toward polished pop, collaborating with producers such as Max Martin and with rappers and singers from across genres.
Legacy
From a high school garage band to one of the most successful pop groups of the century, Maroon 5’s story is closely tied to Levine’s voice and persistence. His years on “The Voice” also made him one of the faces of modern prime-time television.
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