Adam Levine was born in Los Angeles, California to Jewish American parents. He attended the private Brentwood School, where he met the orginal members of the band Kara's Flowers, Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden and Ryan Dusick. The band released an album in 1997 titled "The Fourth World". The album never had much success, and its only single "Soap Disco" failed. Adam used to sing in a deeper, stronger voice while he was with Kara's Flowers.

The band subsequently changed their name to Maroon 5 when the guitarist James Valentine joined. Adam's high, expressive voice helped the band to achieve much success in the music charts. Their debut album, Songs about Jane, is about Adam's ex-girlfriend, Jane, a girl who, as he says, has inspired him over the years, and most of the lyrics of the songs are inspired by their stormy relationship.

In 2005, Levine featured on the Ying Yang Twins song, "Live Again", and later appeared on Kanye West's Late Registration album, on the third single - "Heard 'Em Say". He also featured the song "Wild Horses" with Alicia Keys on her latest album "Alicia Keys - MTV Unplugged".

Adam Levine's major influences include The Beatles and Stevie Wonder, as well as The Police.

--Wikipedia