James Valentine (musician)

James Burgon Valentine ( born October 5, 1978 in Lincoln, Nebraska ) is an American musician and the lead guitarist of the American rock group Maroon 5

James and his three sisters and a brother were raised as Mormons from their parents. Valentine first played in bands from his hometown, such as Quark Star Kid and Happy Dog. In 2000, Happy Dog changed their name to Square and moved to Los Angeles. There, the members of Square and Kara 's Flowers and friends as the Kara 's Flowers were looking for a second guitarist were to Valentine joined the band. The tensions among the members of Square gave him the change easily. They later changed their name to Maroon 5 in.

Valentine is a longtime friend of John Mayer, whom he met at a music school in Berkeley in 1996. He was able to persuade him to move to Lincoln to play guitar for the Lincoln's Rock-/Blues-Band Baby Jason and the Spankers, and later helped a performance as the opening act at one of Mayer's concerts Maroon 5 to more success.

2005 Valentine played with bassist Mickey Madden on Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis' solo album Rabbit Fur Coat with. A highlight of his career because Jenny Lewis has always been one of his favorite singers and because the album by Mike Mogis, whom he has known since he was 15, was produced. Valentine worked as a composer for other groups, such as Lady Antebellum.