The Calling

Co-founded in 1999 by vocalist Alex Band and guitarist Aaron Kamin, the Calling found a home amongst such ready-for-radio rock acts of the early 21st century as Matchbox Twenty, Train, and Fastball. Kamin and Band, both natives of Los Angeles, co-founded the group as teenagers (Kamin was dating Band's sister at the time), and a development deal with RCA followed shortly thereafter. Instrumental role players were recruited and an album was recorded, resulting in the release of Camino Palmero in July 2001. Although largely filled with post-grunge rock, the record became a popular release on the strength of "Wherever You Will Go," a love ballad that became an inescapable Top Five hit in multiple countries. Camino Palmero sold more than five million copies worldwide and went gold in America, thus setting the stage of the Calling's return in June 2004 with Two. The band's popularity had already dwindled by that point, however, and the Calling went on indefinite hiatus one year later, with Alex Band going on to pursue a solo career. ~ Greg Prato