KINGS OF LEON BIOGRAPHY - AGE, MEMBERS, CAREER, SONGS & FACTS

Kings of Leon are an American rock band built around three brothers — singer and rhythm guitarist Caleb Followill, drummer Nathan Followill, and bassist Jared Followill — together with their cousin, lead guitarist Matthew Followill. Since forming in Nashville, Tennessee in 1999, the family band has grown from a Southern garage-rock act into one of the defining arena-rock groups of their generation.

Named after the brothers' grandfather Leon, Kings of Leon broke through worldwide with Only by the Night (2008), earned four Grammy Awards from twelve nominations — including Record of the Year for "Use Somebody" in 2010 — and have released ten studio albums so far, with an eleventh, O My Beloved, arriving on November 6, 2026.

Quick Facts

Formed: 1999 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Members: Caleb Followill (44) — lead vocals and rhythm guitar; Nathan Followill (47) — drums; Jared Followill (39) — bass; Matthew Followill (42) — lead guitar

Origin: Named after the Followill brothers' grandfather, Leon

Genre: Alternative rock, Southern rock

Label: Love Tap Records / Virgin Music

Albums: 10 studio albums, from Youth & Young Manhood (2003) to Can We Please Have Fun (2024); O My Beloved due November 6, 2026

Early Life & Formation

The Followill brothers — Nathan (born June 26, 1979), Caleb (born January 14, 1982), and Jared (born November 20, 1986) — grew up in the American South before the family settled in Tennessee. In 1999, the brothers started a band in Nashville and brought in their cousin Matthew (born September 10, 1984) on lead guitar.

The group took the name Kings of Leon in honor of their grandfather Leon. Their debut album, Youth & Young Manhood, arrived in 2003, and over the following years the four-piece built a devoted following with their raw, Southern-tinged rock sound.

Career Highlights

The band's career changed forever with Only by the Night (2008), the album that carried them from clubs to arenas and turned them into a global headlining act. At the 2010 Grammy Awards, "Use Somebody" won Record of the Year — one of the band's four Grammy wins from twelve career nominations.

Across ten studio albums — from 2003's Youth & Young Manhood to 2024's Can We Please Have Fun — Kings of Leon have kept evolving while staying true to their guitar-driven roots. Their eleventh album, O My Beloved album by Kings of Leon, is due November 6, 2026 via Love Tap Records/Virgin Music, led by the single "My Whole World," released September 10, 2026. Read the My Whole World lyrics by Kings of Leon for the full track.

In October 2026, the band announced the Kings of Leon 2027 Australia & New Zealand tour, with Ocean Alley joining as special guests.

Watch the Official Video

Watch the official music video for "My Whole World," the lead single from O My Beloved:

Recent Work (2026)

The band's tenth studio album "O My Beloved" (13 tracks, Love Tap Records/Virgin) releases 6 November 2026, preceded by the singles "My Whole World" and "Cold Blue Dawn". They announced an exclusive one-off London show at the new 3,800-capacity British Airways ARC (Olympia) on 10 November - their only UK/Europe 2026 date - plus an Abu Dhabi F1 after-race concert on 3 December 2026 (with Lewis Capaldi), The O2 London on 2 July 2027 and a 2027 Isle of Wight headlining slot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the members of Kings of Leon?

The band consists of three Followill brothers — Caleb (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Nathan (drums), and Jared (bass) — plus their cousin Matthew Followill on lead guitar.

Why are they called Kings of Leon?

The band took its name from the brothers' grandfather, Leon.

How many Grammy Awards have Kings of Leon won?

Kings of Leon have won four Grammy Awards from twelve nominations, including Record of the Year for "Use Somebody" in 2010.

When does the new Kings of Leon album come out?

O My Beloved, their eleventh studio album, is scheduled for release on November 6, 2026 through Love Tap Records/Virgin Music.