Counting Crows was formed in 1989 by singer Adam Duritz and guitarist David Bryson in San Francisco. The duo expanded to include local musicians Matt Malley (bass), Charles Gillingham (keyboards) and Steve Bowman (drums). Their first demo was recorded in 1991, and in 1992 they signed up with DGC Records, a subsidiary of Geffen. 

In 1993, they recorded their first album, August and Everything After at a rented home in Hollywood. Positive reviews, over a year of touring, and extensive radio airplay of a single Mr. Jones propelled the album to no. 4 in the US charts; it remained in the Top 200 for 93 weeks selling over six million copies. It was also no.16 in the UK with Mr. Jones no.28.

In 1994, Steve Bowman left to form Third Eye Blind and was replaced by drummer Ben Mize from Cracker, whilst Dan Vickrey joined on guitars. Counting Crows music was used on the soundtrack of “Clueless”. Their second album, Recovering the Satellites was released in October, 1996 and reached no.1 in the USA and no.4 in the UK.

A live double album Across the Wire: Live in New York City was released in 1998 reaching no. 19 in the USA and no.27 in the UK, followed by This Desert Life in 1999 which reached no.19 in the UK. Some music was used on the soundtrack of “Cruel Intentions.” 

Hard Candy released in 2002 included new addition David Immerglück and string arrangements by Jerry Hey and Ron Fair. Hard Candy attracted more international acclaim reaching no.9 in the UK and no.5 in the USA and featured the singles American Girls with backing vocals by Sheryl Crow and Hanging Around. A cover of the Joni Mitchell song Big Yellow Taxi with Vanessa Carlton on backing vocals which was used in the movie “Two Weeks Notice” and reached no.16 in the UK.