How Kings Of Leon became one of the biggest rock bands on the planet
Their ninth album is on its way
Since their arrival in 2003, Kings Of Leon have grown from wide-eyed rock’n’roll hicks through model-escorting rock pigs to respectable family. In the process, they’ve gone on to become one of the biggest rock bands on the planet with the kind of record sales that are measured with at least six zeros on the end of any number.
Fans were overjoyed earlier this month when Kings of Leon announced six UK tour dates for this summer AND new album 'Can We Please Have Fun' - so to celebrate, we've taken a look back at the colossal success of the band...
Where are Kings Of Leon from?
Initially regarded as the Southern states’ answer to The Strokes thanks to their blend of Dixieland influences and garage rock, Kings Of Leon formed in Nashville, Tennessee.
Their early material, such as the ‘Holy Roller Novocaine’ EP – which featured the tracks ‘Molly’s Chambers’ and ‘California Waiting’ – found an immediate audience in the UK, who lapped up their rough and ready sound along with their distinctly retro and hirsute styling.
Are King Of Leon brothers?
The three Followill brothers – Caleb (vocals and guitar), Jared (bass and vocals) and Nathan (drums and vocals) – were joined by cousin Matthew on lead guitar to make up Kings Of Leon. It’s definitely a family affair.
WATCH: Kings of Leon on why they love the UK (2016)
How did Kings Of Leon form?
The Followill brothers had spent the best part of their youth travelling across the Southern states with their father, Ivan, who was a Pentecostal preacher. Home schooled by their mother, the brothers would largely live in their father’s purple Oldsmobile or camped in tents as he travelled from town to town to preach the gospel.
Following their parents’ divorce and Ivan’s retirement from preaching, Nathan and Caleb moved to Nashville. Discovering rock’n’roll after an initial flirtation with country music, they were joined by younger brother Jared and cousin Matthew and so Kings Of Leon were born. Read more about Kings of Leon's career timeline.
How did Kings Of Leon get their name?
Again, they decided to keep it in the family and named themselves after their paternal grandfather.
How many albums have Kings Of Leon made?
The band have so far released eight albums: ‘Youth And Young Manhood’ (2003), ‘Aha Shake Heartbreak’ (2005), ‘Because Of The Times’ (2007), ‘Only By The Night’ (2008), ‘Come Around Sundown’ (2010), ‘Mechanical Bull’ (2013), ‘WALLS’ (2016), 'When You See Yourself' (2021).
Their ninth record, 'Can We Please Have Fun', fits into their five-syllable album title tradition. Set for release on 10th May 2024, the record features single 'Mustang' which was released on 22nd February.
How many albums have Kings Of Leon sold?
As of 2016, when the band released their seventh album 'WALLS', Kings Of Leon had sold an incredible 21m albums worldwide and an impressive 38m singles.
We're sure this is set to skyrocket after the release of their eighth studio album 'When You See Yourself', which they released earlier this month (March 5th).
WATCH: Kings of Leon 'Come Around Sundown' interview
What’s the best Kings Of Leon album?
That all depends on what you’re after. If it’s raw, hairy rock’n’roll then ‘Youth And Young Manhood’ (2003) and ‘Aha Shake Heartbreak’ (2005) are the albums for you.
On the other hand, fans of the band’s shift into arena rock are advised to head on over to ‘Only By The Night’ (2008), which entered the UK album chart at No.1.
And their third album, ‘Because Of The Times’ is where you’ll find Kings Of Leon making the transition from bar room rockers to global hitmakers. This is the record where there’s something for everybody.
Their seventh album, ‘WALLS’ (2016), is their most polished and features some of the band’s best songs in a decade.
It cannot be denied, however, that their melodic eighth album 'When You See Yourself' (2021) has proved to be a roaring success since its release, flying to the Number 1 spot in the UK Charts upon its debut.
Have Kings Of Leon won any awards?
They scooped two BRIT Awards in 2009 in the shape of Best International Group and Best International Album (‘Only By The Night’).
Back home, the Followill clan have won four Grammy Awards: Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal (‘Sex On Fire’ in 2009) while ‘Use Somebody’ was declared Record Of The Year, Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal the following year.
What are Kings Of Leon’s biggest hits?
They've released 27 singles since bursting through in 2003. ‘The Bucket’ (2004), ‘On Call’ (2007), ‘Fans’ (2007), ‘Use Somebody’ (2008) and ‘Radioactive’ (2010) have all gone Top 20 in the UK singles charts.
More significantly, ‘Sex On Fire’ went to Number 1 in the UK in 2008.
Are Kings Of Leon going on tour?
Kings of Leon are set to head out on tour throughout Summer 2024, promoting their upcoming album 'Can We Please Have Fun' which will be released in May 2024. They'll be performing in Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol, London's BST Hyde Park, Nottingham and Manchester.
Scroll through to see Kings of Leon's biggest career moments so far...
Career beginnings
The three brothers - Caleb, Jared and Nathan - grew up with their mother and preacher father, Ivan, who apparently let them play drums as part of his service. After their parents divorced and Ivan retired from preaching, Nathan and Caleb moved to Nashville, playing country music in the genre's hometown.
Whilst living there, the brothers met songwriter Angelo Petraglia who helped to hone their sound. They named themselves Kings of Leon after their grandfather, and Jared and the boys' cousin Nathan joined them in Nashville in 1999.
Pictured here performing in concert with Jet and 22-20s in September 2003.
2002: Kings of Leon are signed to RCA Records
Nathan and Caleb signed as Kings of Leon to RCA Records in 2002, and recruited Jared and Matthew as the remaining musicians and members of the group. They released their first EP 'Holy Roller Novocaine' in February 2003, and their debut album 'Youth and Young Manhood' in July 2003.
They released their second album 'Aha Shake Heartbreak' the next year, and also toured with the likes of U2, Pearl Jam and Bob Dylan in 2005 and 2006.
2006 - 2008: Third and fourth albums, 'Sex On Fire' and headlining Glastonbury
The band's third album 'Because of the Times' became their first Number 1 record, having peaked at Number 3 with their previous two efforts. Fourth record 'Only by the Night' completely divided fans - but it's still their most successful album to date; peaking at Number 1 as well as selling nearly 3 million copies in the UK and 2.5 million in the US.
The album featured singles 'Sex on Fire' and 'Use Somebody' as well as 'Crawl', and peaked at Number 1 in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. 2008 was a pretty huge year for the band, as they also headlined Glastonbury Festival.
2009: BRIT Awards success and Glastonbury
After the success of 'Only by the Night', Kings of Leon won Best International Band and Best International Album at the BRIT Awards 2009, and also performed 'Use Somebody' at the ceremony. They headlined plenty of music festivals in 2009, taking to the stage at Reading & Leeds, T in the Park and Lollapalooza amongst others.
Kings of Leon also released their first DVD, 'Live at the O2 London, England', which was filmed at one of their gigs at the O2 Arena in London where they played a 22-song set to over 18,000 people. Nathan told Billboard.com, "England is really the first place we broke. We figured what better place to make a live DVD than where the fans have been the craziest for the longest."
The band also started up their own record label in 2009 - Serpents and Snakes Records.
2010: Big wins at the Grammys and 'Come Around Sundown'
Kings of Leon took home three gongs at the Grammy Awards in 2010 for 'Use Somebody' - Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Record of the Year and Best Rock Song. They put out their fifth album, 'Come Around Sundown', later that year, spawning singles 'Radioactive' and 'Pyro', as well as 'Pony Up' and 'Pickup Truck'. The record hit the top spot in the UK, and Number 2 in the US.
The band embarked on a huge tour in 2010, playing at over 50 dates across North America and Europe, and played at the Slane Castle Festival in Ireland. In June 2011, they performed at the Isle of Wight Festival (pictured). Just a month later, singer Caleb appeared to be intoxicated whilst the band performed in Dallas, Texas, and in August they chose to cancel remainder of their US tour. After their Australian tour concluded in October, they announced that they were going on hiatus.
2013: The band return with 'Mechanical Bull'
Sixth album 'Mechanical Bull' was released in September 2013, featuring singles 'Supersoaker', 'Wait for Me' and 'Don't Matter' among others. It debuted at Number 1 in the UK, and Number 2 in the US.
Pictured here at a session for Absolute Radio in 2013.
2014: Isle of Wight Festival
Kings of Leon took to the stage at the IOW 2014 as headliners (pictured), and spoke to us backstage... Head to YouTube to watch the interview.
2016: 'WALLS'
Kings of Leon announced their sixth album 'WALLS' in August 2016, surprising fans who had become used to their five-syllabled album titles. However, being stylised in capitals, it was later revealed to be an acronym for 'We Are Like Love Songs'. They headlined Lollapalooza festival in September 2016, showcasing 'Waste A Moment' from their upcoming album which was released a month later in October 2016.
It was the band's first Number 1 album in the US, and also scored the top spot in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and Austria. In 2017, they headlined British Summer Time at Hyde Park in London as well as Reading and Leeds the following summer in 2018.
2020: Finsbury Park gig
The band announced in February 2020 plans for three UK concerts in June and July - playing at Newcastle Utilita Arena on Tuesday 7th July, Leeds First Direct Arena on Wednesday 8th July with a huge gig at London's Finsbury Park, alongside Courteeners, Cage The Elephant, Inhaler, Soccer Mommy, and The Big Moon. Unfortunately, the shows could not go ahead due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
2021: 'When You See Yourself'
After putting out teasers of four new songs, 'Must Catch The Bandit', 'Feel Like You Do', 'Dancing In Your Head' and 'Spin It Like We Can', fans were overjoyed when the band finally released their eighth album 'When You See Yourself' in March 2021. The teasers, along with the album, marked the band's first release of new material in five year, since the release of 'WALLS' in 2016. The record debuted at the Number 1 spot in the UK, becoming their sixth Number 1 album.
2024: Ninth album and UK tour
The band announced six more UK shows for summer 2024 in addition to their previously announced slot at American Express presents BST Hyde Park, coming hot on the heels of their ninth album announcement. 'Can We Please Have Fun' is set for release on 10th May 2024, made up of 12 tracks and produced by new collaborator Kid Harpoon at Dark Horse Studio in Tennessee.
NOW WATCH: Caleb Followill divulges all about 'Supersoaker'
You can hear Kings of Leon's biggest hits on the Absolute Radio playlist. Listen to Absolute Radio now.
Now read:
Kings of Leon's biggest career moments so far
Absolute Radio's guide to the hottest upcoming tours and festivals
Kings of Leon add six dates to summer 2024 UK tour