History of Counting Crows in Timeline

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Counting Crows

Counting Crows is an American rock band originating from the San Francisco Bay Area in 1991. The band's core lineup consists of vocalist Adam Duritz, along with David Bryson, Jim Bogios, Charlie Gillingham, David Immerglück, Millard Powers, and Dan Vickrey. The band has had several members over the years, with notable past members including Steve Bowman, Ben Mize, and Matt Malley. The band has achieved significant success in the rock music scene.

February 2, 1971: Ben Mize's Birth

On February 2, 1971, Ben Mize, drummer for Counting Crows, was born in Durham, North Carolina.

1973: Creation of the American Music Awards

In 1973, Dick Clark created the American Music Awards, an annual awards ceremony.

1984: Establishment of the MTV Video Music Awards

In 1984, MTV established the MTV Video Music Awards to celebrate the top music videos of the year.

1991: Counting Crows Formation

In 1991, Adam Duritz and David Bryson formed Counting Crows in San Francisco, starting as an acoustic duo.

1991: Formation of Counting Crows

In 1991, Counting Crows was formed in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, by rhythm guitarist David Bryson, and vocalist Adam Duritz. Drummers Steve Bowman, bassist Matt Malley also joined.

February 1992: Bidding War for Counting Crows

In February 1992, a bidding war broke out between nine record labels after Gary Gersh of Geffen Records heard Counting Crows' demo tape.

January 16, 1993: Counting Crows fills in for Van Morrison

On January 16, 1993, Counting Crows, still relatively unknown, filled in for Van Morrison at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, and was introduced by Robbie Robertson, where they performed "Caravan".

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September 1993: Release of August and Everything After

In September 1993, Counting Crows released their debut album, August and Everything After.

December 1993: MTV Airplay for Mr. Jones

In December 1993, MTV began playing the video for Counting Crows' song "Mr. Jones", which led to massive radio play and launched the band into stardom.

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1993: Stable Lineup Established

By 1993, Counting Crows had grown to a stable lineup of Adam Duritz, David Bryson, Matt Malley, Charlie Gillingham, and Steve Bowman, becoming a regular in the Bay Area music scene.

1993: Release of "August and Everything After" and "Mr. Jones"

In 1993, Counting Crows released their first album, "August and Everything After", featuring the hit single "Mr. Jones". The album sold over 7 million copies in the United States.

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1993: Dan Vickrey Joins

In 1993, Dan Vickrey joined Counting Crows as the lead guitarist.

1994: Grammy Nominations

In 1994, Counting Crows received two Grammy Award nominations: "Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal" for "Round Here" and "Best New Artist".

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1994: Extensive Touring and Grammy Nominations

In 1994, Counting Crows toured extensively and appeared on "Saturday Night Live" and "Late Show with David Letterman". They received two Grammy nominations for "Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal" (for "Round Here") and "Best New Artist".

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1994: Steve Bowman Leaves

In 1994, Steve Bowman left Counting Crows.

1995: Limited Performances

In 1995, Counting Crows played only two gigs, which allowed Adam Duritz time to write songs for their second album.

October 15, 1996: Release of Recovering the Satellites

On October 15, 1996, Counting Crows released their second album, Recovering the Satellites, which was heavier than their debut and reflected Duritz's unease with fame. The album included the single "A Long December".

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July 2, 1997: Co-Headlining Tour with The Wallflowers Begins

On July 2, 1997, Counting Crows began a co-headlining tour with The Wallflowers, featuring opening acts such as Bettie Serveert and That Dog.

July 1997: Duritz Develops Vocal Cord Nodules

In July 1997, Adam Duritz developed nodules on his vocal cords, leading to the cancellation of several Counting Crows gigs.

1999: Woodstock 99 Performance and Release of This Desert Life

In 1999, Counting Crows performed at Woodstock 99 and released the album "This Desert Life", which included the hit singles "Hanginaround" and "Colorblind". David Immerglück also joined the band as a permanent member.

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July 9, 2002: Release of Hard Candy

On July 9, 2002, Counting Crows released their fourth studio album, "Hard Candy", which included a cover of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" and featured Vanessa Carlton on backing vocals for the single edit.

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2002: Ben Mize leaves Counting Crows

In 2002, Ben Mize left Counting Crows.

November 2003: Release of Films About Ghosts

In November 2003, Counting Crows released their greatest hits album, "Films About Ghosts".

2003: Recording of Borderline Cover

In 2003, Counting Crows recorded a cover of Madonna's "Borderline" live at the Royal Albert Hall.

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2004: Academy Award Nomination for "Accidentally in Love"

In 2004, Counting Crows received an Academy Award nomination for the song "Accidentally in Love", featured in the movie Shrek 2.

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2004: Academy Award Nomination

In 2004, the Counting Crows song "Accidentally in Love", from the movie Shrek 2, was nominated for Best Original Song at the 77th Academy Awards, but lost to "Al otro lado del río".

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2005: Matt Malley leaves Counting Crows

In 2005, Matt Malley left Counting Crows.

June 2006: Release of New Amsterdam: Live at Heineken Music Hall

In June 2006, Counting Crows released the live album "New Amsterdam: Live at Heineken Music Hall".

2006: Hints of New Album

In 2006, Adam Duritz hinted in an interview that Counting Crows' next studio record would be released in late 2007, revealing the working title as "Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings".

July 9, 2007: Performance at MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby

On July 9, 2007, Counting Crows performed live before the Home Run Derby at the 2007 MLB All-Star Game.

August 8, 2007: VH1 Films Live Performance of "Mr. Jones"

On August 8, 2007, VH1 filmed a live performance of "Mr. Jones" by Counting Crows, which was featured on the miniseries "100 Greatest Songs of the 90s". The song ranked No. 27 on the list.

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September 2007: Town Hall Show

In September 2007, Counting Crows played a unique show at Town Hall in New York City, performing all the tracks from "August and Everything After" in album order. The show was recorded for a planned DVD release.

September 2007: Town Hall Concert Recording

In September 2007, Counting Crows recorded a concert at Town Hall, which was later used for their live album, "August and Everything After: Live at Town Hall" released on August 29, 2011.

2007: Possible Release of New Album

In 2007, Counting Crows was expected to release its next studio record.

January 16, 2008: Free Digital Single Release

On January 16, 2008, Counting Crows released a free digital single on their website, featuring "1492" and "When I Dream Of Michelangelo".

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March 25, 2008: Release of Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings

On March 25, 2008, Counting Crows released the album Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings.

2008: Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings Postponement

In September 2007, Counting Crows postponed the release of "Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings" until early 2008.

March 22, 2009: Departure from Geffen Records

On March 22, 2009, Adam Duritz announced on Counting Crows' website that they were leaving Geffen Records, with whom they had been for 18 years. He included a free download of their cover of Madonna's "Borderline".

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2009: Saturday Night Rebel Rockers Traveling Circus and Medicine Show tour

In the summer of 2009, Counting Crows launched the Saturday Night Rebel Rockers Traveling Circus and Medicine Show tour with Michael Franti & Spearhead, and Augustana. The tour featured members of all bands joining each other on stage throughout the evening, playing songs from each other's catalogs.

February 2011: Release of All My Bloody Valentines

In February 2011, Adam Duritz released an indie album of cover songs titled "All My Bloody Valentines". followers helped name and design the cover art.

August 29, 2011: Release of August and Everything After: Live at Town Hall album

On August 29, 2011, Counting Crows released "August and Everything After: Live at Town Hall", their third live album and first concert video. The album features footage from a September 2007 Town Hall concert.

April 10, 2012: Release of Underwater Sunshine (Or What We Did On Our Summer Vacation)

On April 10, 2012, Counting Crows released a covers album titled "Underwater Sunshine (Or What We Did On Our Summer Vacation)". The cover design was chosen through a promotional contest.

November 2013: Release of Echoes of the Outlaw Roadshow

In November 2013, Counting Crows released the live album "Echoes of the Outlaw Roadshow" in North America.

2013: Extensive Touring and Album Work

In 2013, Counting Crows extensively toured in support of the album "Underwater Sunshine" and began working on material for a new album, including headlining The Outlaw Roadshow.

2013: Writing Material for Somewhere Under Wonderland

In early 2013, Counting Crows began writing material for their album, "Somewhere Under Wonderland", continuing the writing process during the summer tour.

September 2, 2014: Release of Somewhere Under Wonderland

On September 2, 2014, Counting Crows released their album "Somewhere Under Wonderland".

2014: Release of Somewhere Under Wonderland

In 2014, Counting Crows released the album "Somewhere Under Wonderland".

February 2018: Underwater Sunshine Podcast Launch

In February 2018, Adam Duritz started recording the "Underwater Sunshine Podcast", a weekly music podcast with author and music journalist James Campion.

October 2018: Inaugural Underwater Sunshine Fest

In October 2018, Counting Crows held the first Underwater Sunshine Fest at the Bowery Electric in New York, featuring 17 bands over two nights.

2018: Duritz invests in wineries

In 2018, Adam Duritz invested in three Napa Valley wineries: Elyse Winery, Institution Winery, and Addax Winery.

2018: Chicago Sun-Times on August and Everything After

In 2018, the Chicago Sun-Times described August and Everything After.

January 2019: Release of "August and Everything After" with London Symphony Orchestra

In January 2019, Counting Crows released a newly recorded version of "August and Everything After" performed with the London Symphony Orchestra at AIR Studios.

April 2019: Second Underwater Sunshine Fest

In April 2019, Counting Crows presented the second Underwater Sunshine Fest, showcasing 18 bands in New York.

November 2019: Third Underwater Sunshine Fest

In November 2019, Counting Crows expanded the Underwater Sunshine Fest to 26 bands, held at Rockwood Music Hall in New York.

February 2020: Announcement of New Music Suites

In early February 2020, Adam Duritz announced the band's next project, which will consist of music suites released on various EPs. The band also began studio sessions in late February and early March on songs like "The Tall Grass", "Elevator Boots", "The Angel of 14th Street", and "Bobby and the Rat Kings".

April 2021: Release of Elevator Boots

In April 2021, "Elevator Boots" was released as the first single from the "Butter Miracle, Suite One" EP.

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May 2021: Return to Underwater Sunshine Podcast

In May 2021, Adam Duritz and James Campion resumed producing the "Underwater Sunshine Podcast" after a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 21, 2021: Release of Butter Miracle, Suite One EP

On May 21, 2021, Counting Crows released their EP, "Butter Miracle, Suite One".

2021: Plans for Butter Miracle, Suite Two and Touring

In 2021, Adam Duritz mentioned that a second EP, "Butter Miracle, Suite Two", would be released, forming a full album with the first EP, and the band planned to resume touring in the fall.

2021: Release of Butter Miracle, Suite One EP

In 2021, Counting Crows released a four-song EP titled "Butter Miracle, Suite One".

February 2022: Duritz Appears on Gang of Youths' Album

In February 2022, Adam Duritz was featured as a guest vocalist on two tracks from Gang of Youths' third studio album, "Angel in Realtime".

2022: Butter Miracle Tour and Israel Performance

During the 2022 Butter Miracle Tour, Counting Crows performed live in Israel for the first time in the city of Ra'anana.

April 2023: Tour of Australia and New Zealand

In April 2023, Counting Crows returned to Australia and New Zealand for a series of headlining shows with Frank Turner as support.

February 21, 2025: Release of "Spaceman in Tulsa" Single

On February 21, 2025, Counting Crows released a new single, "Spaceman in Tulsa", to announce the release date for their upcoming album "Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!".

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May 9, 2025: Release of Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!

On May 9, 2025, Counting Crows released the album "Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!", featuring the four songs from the Suite One EP and five additional songs.

May 2025: Release of Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!

In May 2025, Counting Crows expanded "Butter Miracle, Suite One" into a full-length album titled "Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!", which included five additional songs.