James Valentine

October 5, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

James Burgon Valentine was born on October 5, 1978, he is a renowned and acclaimed musician, best known for his role as the lead guitarist as well as a backing vocalist for Maroon 5, the pop-rock band. He has played for Lincoln bands including Kid Quarkstar, Montag, Happy Dog, and Mondello. In 2000, he relocated from Anaheim to Los Angeles and began teaching private guitar lessons from his house. When Aaron Barrett fell down some stairs and broke his hand in 2001, Valentine took his place and played with Reel Big Fish. One of the shows he played with Reel Big Fish was during the time Maroon 5 appeared on M.T.V. “Cribs.” Square and Kara’s Flowers band members mingled and became friends. This made it easier for Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden, and Ryan Dusick to approach Valentine when they needed another guitarist. They then changed their name from Kara’s Flowers to Maroon. The squabbles in Square made it easier for him to join Maroon. When he officially joined them, they became Maroon 5. We are extremely excited to celebrate him today.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

James Burgon Valentine

Nickname:

Happy Dog

Birth date:

October 5, 1978

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Libra

Height:

6' 2"

Relationship Status:

Single

Net Worth:

$40 million

Background

James Burgon Valentine was born on October 5, 1978, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He is a prolific and outstanding lead guitarist and backing vocalist for Maroon 5. He has worked his way up and mastered his craft. He has been raised together with his three sisters and one brother in a Christian household that lived by the Bible’s teachings. He was raised by his mother, who was a former beauty queen. She went on to become a school teacher and eventually a stay-at-home mother, raising her five children. Amanda, his younger sister, was a contestant twice on “Project Runway,” in its 11th and 13th seasons as well as in season six, on “Project Runway All Stars.” He attended Lincoln Southeast High School in Nebraska and afterward enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

He has played for Lincoln bands including Kid Quarkstar, Montag, Happy Dog, and Mondello. In 2000, he relocated from Anaheim to Los Angeles and began teaching private guitar lessons from his house. When Aaron Barrett fell down some stairs and broke his hand in 2001, Valentine took his place and played with Reel Big Fish. One of the shows he played with Reel Big Fish was during the time Maroon 5 appeared on M.T.V. “Cribs.” Square and Kara’s Flowers band members mingled and became friends. This made it easier for Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden, and Ryan Dusick to approach Valentine when they needed another guitarist.

He met John Meyer in Berkeley, Boston, in 1996, and they became friends. He tried to get Meyer to relocate to Lincoln to be the Lincoln Blues-rock band’s guitarist alongside Spankers and Baby Jason. Maroon 5 also benefited as a band from Meyer’s summer tour in 2003 as it brought them recognition internationally. He also worked with Meyer on his third studio album known as “Continuum,” which he released in 2006, on two singles, ‘Stop This Train’ and ‘In Repair.’ In addition to this, he played guitar on “Rabbit Fur Coat,” Jenny Lewis’ solo album. He did this with the Watson Twins. He also made an appearance on her first single’s music video known as, ‘Rise Up With Fists!’

Career timeline

2000

He Relocates to Los Angeles

He relocates from Anaheim to Los Angeles and starts tutoring private guitar lessons from his house.

2001

He Plays with Reel Big Fish

He plays with the Reel Big Fish after their guitarist Barrett breaks his arm.

2006

He Works with Jenny Lewis

He works with Lewis on her solo album known as “Rabbit Fur Coat.”

2012

He Releases an Album with JJAMZ

He is part of the JJAMZ, which releases its debut album known as “Suicide Pact.”

Why We Love James Valentine

He is determined
He is a go-getter and what he sets his mind to he makes sure he has achieved. He went to Berklee College of Music after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln just to perfect his skill.
He is good at networking
Networking while still in one of his previous bands, Square is what led him to be incorporated into Maroon 5. He was friends with his bandmates before they became Maroon 5. Everyone was aware of his guitar skills and that is how he got sought after when the band needed another guitarist.
He is a good friend
He prides himself on being a good friend. He tried to get Meyer to relocate to Lincoln to be the Lincoln Blues-rock band’s guitarist alongside Spankers and Baby Jason. Maroon 5 also benefited as a band from Meyer’s summer tour in 2003 as it brought them recognition nationally and beyond.

5 Surprising Facts

A member of the L.D.S. church
He was raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He was an Eagle Scout
While growing up, he became a member of the Eagle Scouts.
He was President in high school
He was the President of his high school’s student council.
He went to Berklee
He furthered his music education at Berklee College of Music.
He is a percussionist
He is a percussionist who has played in Orchestra and Jazz bands.

James Valentine FAQs

What guitar does Valentine use?

When he joined Maroon 5, he favored a Gibson ES-346, but on the current tour his main guitar is a Telecaster that’s made from parts of various Fenders and tuned down a half-step. Asked for more in-depth particulars on the guitar’s origins, Valentine says: “It’s kind of the ‘70s.”

When did Valentine join Maroon 5?

In 2001, the guitarist Valentine joined and the band changed its name to Maroon 5.

What does the name Maroon 5 mean?

With a fresh sound and a new bandmate, the group decided to change their name first to Maroon, eventually settling on Maroon 5. The reason for the name remains a bit of a mystery: According to some, it was inspired by a fictional band called Yellow 5, which is featured on the Web-based comic “Pokey the Penguin.”