Brandon Richard Flowers (born June 21, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers, with whom he has recorded four studio albums.
In addition to his work with The Killers, Flowers has released two solo albums, Flamingo (2010) and The Desired Effect (2015). He has topped the UK Albums Chart six times, including work by the Killers, and is a recipient of the Q Idol Award.[5]
Brandon Flowers, the youngest of six children, was born on June 21, 1981, in Henderson, Nevada, to Jean Yvonne (née Barlow) and Terry Austin Flowers.[6] His older siblings are his brother Shane and four sisters April, Shelly, Amy, and Stephanie.[6] His family lived in Henderson until Flowers was eight, when they moved to Payson, Utah, for two years before moving to Nephi, Utah, at which time he was in the sixth grade.[7] Flowers lived in Nephi until his junior year at Juab High School. He moved to Las Vegas to live with his aunt and graduated from Chaparral High School in 1999.[8] The pop singer often says that growing up in Las Vegas as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helped prepare him for the world of rock and roll. "Really, being a Mormon in Las Vegas prepared me for the lion's den. It is sin city. The things that go on, the lights, it's the ultimate rock and roll stage. Without Las Vegas, I would be a wreck."The Killers (2001–present)[edit]
Main article: The Killers
Brandon Flowers responded to an ad that Dave Keuning had placed in the Las Vegas Weekly in late 2001, whereupon they became the Killers. After several short-lived bassists and drummers, Flowers and Keuning were joined by bassist Mark Stoermer and drummer Ronnie Vannucci, and the line-up became official in August 2002.[10] Between 2003 and 2013, they released four consecutive chart-topping albums and sold more than 25 million albums worldwide.[11][12][13] Flowers wrote the lyrics to the single "All These Things That I've Done" and its popular refrain "I Got Soul, But I'm Not A Soldier" that numbered among the "100 Greatest Songs of All Time" by The Daily Telegraph and earned one of the band's seven Grammy nominations.[14]
On July 4, 2010, the Killers headlined the "Salute to the Military" USO Concert at the White House. They performed "God Bless America" and favorites from their catalogue.[15] On June 22, 2013, the Killers headlined the 90,000 capacity Wembley Stadium, their biggest solo show to date.[16][17]
Canadian-American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright wrote a song about Flowers called "Tulsa" for his fifth album Release the Stars. Wainwright has stated in numerous interviews that it was inspired by their first meeting at a bar in Tulsa, Oklahoma. According to Wainwright, Flowers was "very flattered and somewhat bashful" about this tribute.[18]Sir Elton John listed Flowers as one of his top five heroes while editing The Independent's World Aids Day special edition.[19][20]
Flowers is married to Tana Mundkowsky and resides in Las Vegas.[53][54] He has three sons, Ammon, Gunnar, and Henry. [55][56] Flowers' parents met as teenagers, and he wrote the song "A Dustland Fairytale" as a tribute to their marriage and lifelong romance.[57] Flowers' grandmother is from Lithuania.[58] Flowers' cousin is Craig Barlow, inductee to the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame.[59]
Flowers is a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[60] He and his family are featured in a promotional video on the church's website.[61][62]
Influences[edit]
Flowers lists Oasis, The Beatles, David Bowie, The Cars, Morrissey, Duran Duran, Pet Shop Boys, and U2 among his musical influences.[63][64]
Musical style and vocals[edit]
Flowers is widely regarded as the most prominent frontman of the new wave revival of the 2000s.[65][66] As a solo artist Flowers first exhibited elements of heartland rock as well as new wave-style alternative rock. On his sophomore album, Flowers exhibited greater pop tendencies, prompting Rolling Stone to dub The Desired Effect, "the best straight-up pop album made by a rock star in recent memory."[67]
U2's Bono praised Flowers' voice to The Globe and Mail saying, "We need him on the radio .... His voice!"[68]
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