James Valentine (musician)
| James Valentine | |
|---|---|
Valentine performing with Maroon 5 in 2007.
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Burgon Valentine |
| Born |
October 5, 1978 Lincoln, Nebraska, United States |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts |
|
| Website | maroon5 |
| Notable instruments | |
|
Fender Telecaster Fender FSR Telecaster Music Man Valentine Gibson Les Paul Gibson Lucille Fano Guitars |
|
James Burgon Valentine (born October 5, 1978) is an American musician. He is the lead guitarist for the pop rock band Maroon 5.
Valentine was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) and has three sisters and one brother. His mother is a former beauty queen, who was a school teacher before becoming a stay-at-home Mom to raise her five children. James is an Eagle Scout. He was the president of his high school Lincoln Southeast High School's student council in Lincoln, Nebraska. He graduated University of Nebraska–Lincoln and attended Berklee College.
In addition to guitar, James is also a percussionist, playing in orchestra and jazz band in his youth.
Valentine played in Lincoln bands: Montag, Kid Quarkstar, Mondello and Happy Dog. In 2000, Happy Dog changed its name to Square and he moved to Los Angeles from Anaheim, California, where he taught private guitar lessons out of his home. Valentine had also played with Reel Big Fish, firstly when guitarist Aaron Barrett broke his hand and later in 2001, when Barrett fell down some stairs. Valentine displayed a picture from one Reel Big Fish show he played during Maroon 5's appearance on MTV Cribs. Eventually the members of Square and Kara's Flowers became friends and when Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden and Ryan Dusick began looking for another guitarist, Valentine was approached. The band Kara's Flowers changed their name to Maroon. Personal tensions in Square helped the decision to join the band and shortly afterward, Kara's Flowers became Maroon 5.
...
Wikipedia