By any standards, the Kings of Leon are unique. Consisting of three brothers and their first cousin, all surnamed Followill, the quartet from a God-fearing Tennessee background has conquered the music world on their own terms. They have audaciously mixed elements of classic rock with grunge, garage, and a very contemporary attitude. The result is music that has found a ready audience between 15 and 50 and has been used in several significant movie soundtracks, accelerating their rise. Their songwriting skills have earned the admirationofBob Dylan himself. This book traces their rise from local hopefuls to Grammy-nominated chart-toppers. A background and lifestyle that kept them well away from popular music until 1997, when their father sensationally resigned from the church and divorced their mother, has led to some fascinating results. Exposure to the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle led to crises that have had to be resolved as a band and individuals, as recounted in this first-ever full-length, authoritative biography of the band.