Birthday: Caleb Followill

Kings Of Leon singer/guitarist Caleb Followill (second from right in photo) was born today in 1982.

Followill and his brothers Nathan and Jared are the sons of a United Pentecostal Church preacher. Their father travelled around the south preaching, and he took the boys with him occasionally. When they appeared with him, they would occasionally perform on instruments.

After their father resigned from his job, the Followill brothers formed Kings Of Leon in Nashville in 2000 with their cousin, Matthew Followill (guitar). Nathan Followill became the band's drummer, while Jared took up the guitar.

Kings Of Leon released their Holy Roller Novocaine EP in 2003 and followed it with Youth And Young Manhood album a year later. Their sound was originally one that could best be described as a "southern-fried Strokes," since it mixed elements garage rock with southern rock elements.

The band's sound began to change on albums like 2007's Because Of The Times and last year's Only By The Night. The latter album saw Kings Of Leon turn into a more mainstream rock band. Most of its sound was influenced by U2 and other modern rock bands.