The Counting Crows were propelled to fame with their hit song “Mr. Jones” back in the 90s. Now the band has been together for 25 years and has an encyclopedia’s worth of other great songs! There is more to the band than their music, so we decided to compile the top facts any fan should know about them in honor of their 25 year anniversary:
“Generation Jones”
“Mr. Jones” was released in December 1993 as the lead single from their debut album, “August and Everything After.” It was the band’s first radio hit and one of their most popular singles. The song title was inspired by author Jonathan Pontell who coined the term. “Generation Jones” is a group of people born between 1954 and 1965. They are essentially the later-born baby boomers who are “jonesing” or craving something. When asked, Pontell stated, “I feel honored that my song Mr. Jones was part of the inspiration for the name ‘Generation Jones’.”
Generation Jones
The Band Has A Connection With The Coen Brothers
So, what is the connection?? Turns out both the Counting Crows’ debut album and the soundtrack to the Coen Brothers’ movie “O, Brother, Where Art Thou?” were produced by T-Bone Burnett. He is well known in the world of country music and has a number of hits.
The Band Has A Connection With The Coen Brothers
They Formed in SanFran
The band started back in 1990 when lead singer, Adam Duritz, and guitarist, David Bryson started playing acoustic shows in the San Fransisco area. Duritz was playing with another band but worked with Bryson on the side. In 1993 they finally formed the Counting Crows and got a record deal with Geffen Records.
They Formed In SanFran
On Radio Repeat
When the Counting Crows were rising to fame, it was during a time in American music where Alternative Rock and Hip-Hop were polarizing Top 40 radio. The Counting Crows had a unique sound that was pop enough to put them on regular radio rotation along the likes of artists such as Sheryl Crow. Radio stations loved to play them because their contemporary sound was unlikely to alienate core listeners and of course their music rocks! The radio is absolutely responsible for launching them to fame and the success of “August and Ever After.”
On Radio Repeat
Duritz Was One Of The First To Use Social Media For Publicity
Just when the internet was becoming a household thing, Adam Duritz was active on AOL message boards and Twitter. He quickly accumulated over a million followers. These followers were part of the band’s success! Nice job, Adam!
Duritz Was One Of The First To Use Social Media For Publicity
The Rain King
This is pretty interesting! In its title and some of its lyrical content, their hit song “Rain King” refers to the Saul Bellow novel, “Henderson the Rain King.” It tells the story of Eugene Henderson, a rich, but troubled middle age man. Hoping to discover himself and what he truly wants in life, he goes to Africa. At the end of the song, you can hear the lyrics “Henderson is waiting for the sun.”
The Rain King
Adam Duritz Didn’t Graduate
Adam Duritz was enrolled in a B.A. program for a degree in English from U.C. Berkeley. He was only two credits shy from earning his degree, but decided to not finish it!
Didnt Graduate
Big Star
Big Star is a very talented American rock band from Memphis. They were very popular in the 70s and 80s. Adam Duritz stated in an interview with USA Today that Big Star was a huge influence on the band’s music. Duritz stated, “They were maybe the biggest influence of anything on me.”
Big Star
Adam Duritz Is A Little Anti-Social
Adam Duritz is well known for being a bit reclusive. Part of it is due to his mental health issues. He has been very open about his struggles, and you can even see him discuss this in some of the Counting Crows’ lyrics. While he is a little anti-social, he is very active on Twitter!
Adam Duritz Is A Little Anti Social
David Lowery
The Counting Crow’s most underrated album, “This Desert Life,” was produced by the 90s alternative rock genius David Lowery. He founded the rock band Camper Van Beethoven and is a co-founder of the more traditional rock band Cracker.
David Lowery
Get The Name Right!
The band’s official name is “Counting Crows,” not “The Counting Crows.” The name comes from an old English divination rhyme suggesting life is as pointless as counting crows.
Counting Crows
Kurt Cobain
The band’s rise to superstardom just happened to coincide with the death of Kurt Cobain. He committed suicide in 1994. Adam Duritz has been open with how hard he took his death. He stated in an interview, “We heard that, that [Kurt] had shot himself. And it really scared the hell out of me because I thought, these things in my life are getting so out of control.” This event actually inspired the song “Catapult” which is on the Counting Crows’ album “Recovering Satellites.”
Kurt Cobain
Adam Duritz Is A Book Worm
Adam Duritz, the lead singer of the Counting Crows was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Both of his parents are doctors. He told The Daily Telegraph in an interview, “We were always moving, so I didn’t know a lot of people.” He explained, “so instead I was always reading – I read 180 books in my first grade and 218 in my second grade.” Wow! You have us beat, Adam!
Adam Duritz Is A Book Worm
Duritz Is A Serial Dater!
Adam Duritz is known to date some of Hollywood’s most eligible women. He actually dated both Courtney Cox and Jennifer Aniston! He has also been linked to Mary Louise Parker, Samantha Mathis and Emmy Rossum.
Adam Duritz Is A Serial Dater
‘Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby’ Is About A Real Person
While the Counting Crows haven’t confirmed or denied it, it is likely the song is about the actress Monica Potter. She is best known for her role on “Parenthood.” It is alleged Adam Duritz saw “Patch Adams” and dreamed up the song as a love letter to Monica Potter.
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‘Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby’ Is About A Real Person
Mental Health
Adam Duritz suffers from a mental condition called Dissociative Disorder. In an interview with Men’s Health, he stated, “It makes the world seem like it’s not real as if things aren’t taking place.” Adam has been open with the public about his fight with the illness, and we wish him all the best!
Mental Health
He Dated Jennifer Aniston For 2 Weeks!
Adam Duritz’s most publicised relationship ever was with Jennifer Aniston. There are pictures of them all over the internet! Adam stated they only dating for 2 weeks and couldn’t believe how much the tabloid’s covered it. Duritz says he prefers to date actresses because they understand his lifestyle and admire his music. He explained, “I’m really attracted to the artist in them.”
Adam Duritz Dated Jennifer Aniston
Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams is an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer and poet. He has had an amazing solo career and released 16 albums! He co-wrote and is featured on the Counting Crows’ songs: “Hard Candy,” and “Butterfly in Reverse.” Years before this (2002), Duritz was featured on his critically acclaimed “Gold” album. He provided some vocals on the track entitled, “Answering Bell.”
Ryan Adams
25th Anniversary Tour
Can you believe the band has been together for two decades?! They are celebrating by launching a 25th Anniversary tour called, “25 Years And Counting.” The first show was in Boise, Idaho, and they plan to tour all across North America. Congrats, guys!
25th Anniversary Tour
Adam Duritz Is Jewish
Adam Duritz was born in Baltimore, Maryland on August 1, 1964. Duritz describes himself in one of the band’s songs as “a Russian Jew American, impersonating African.” He is of Ashkenazi Jewish (Russian Jewish) descent.
Adam Duritz Is Jewish
Adam Duritz Loves A Cover Or Two
Adam Duritz is well known for his passionate live performances. He loves to do emotional covers of his favorite artists. Some artists he loves to cover include George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell.
Adam Duritz Loves A Cover Or Two
Who Influenced the Counting Crows?
The Counting Crows have been heavily influenced by The Band, Van Morrison, and Nirvana.
Who Influenced The Counting Crows@
Adam Duritz Didn’t Graduate
Despite attending both the University of California Davis and Berkeley, Adam Duritz graduated from neither school.
Adam Duritz Didnt Graduate
Shrek
Adam Duritz has branched out over the years. He has recorded his own solo material and collaborated with other artists. He co-wrote the song “Accidentally In Love,” for the movie Shrek 2! The song was nominated for an Academy Award and the Counting Crows also performed this song during the event.
Shrek
Love Connection: Emmy Rossum
One of Adam Duritz’s most famous relationships was with the beautiful, talented actress Emmy Rossum. The two met while the band was touring in 2009. They reportedly broke up in September 2010 and Adam Duritz is still unmarried.
Love Connection Emmy Rossum
Josie And The Pussycats
Shrek wasn’t the only film Adam Duritz composed for! He also contributed the songs “Spin Around,” “You Don’t See Me,” and “You’re a Star” to the Josie and the Pussycats soundtrack.
Josie And The Pussycats
Duritz Penned His First Song In Chemistry Class
Adam Duritz wrote his first song when he was just a freshman in college. The song is about his then-16-year-old sister. He wrote it while he was in a chemistry class! He stated in an interview that the experience was a “revelation.” He explained, “Once you know you can create something out of nothing, everything changes.”
Duritz Penned His First Song In Chemistry Class
Religous Healing?
Adam Duritz is Jewish but has struggled to reconcile his religious identity. He has stated in interviews he has struggled to reconcile his own personal alienation through religion. When he was 17, he visited Israel and realized Judaism is “about understanding.” He decided that the religion required a bigger commitment than he was willing to make, and is Jewish but not very observant.
Religous Healing
Self Discovery
The formation and success of the band really changed Adam Duritz. He said, “I never felt comfortable with myself before now.” He continued to explain, “When I’m onstage, I’m everything I wanted to be.”
Self Discovery
7 Studio Albums
To date, the Counting Crows have 7 studio albums under their belts. The most recent is entitled “Somewhere Under Wonderland.” It was released in 2014.
7 Studio Albums