Imagine Dragons exploded onto the music scene in 2012 with their debut album, Night Visions. Supported by hit singles “It’s Time” and “Radioactive,” the album became the top-selling rock album of 2013. Having set the bar high for themselves, they came back swinging with their sophomore album, Smoke + Mirrors, in 2015. With their big sound and honest lyrics, the band has garnered a loyal global fan base. Read on to learn more about the team of Dan Reynolds (vocals), Daniel Sermon (guitar), Ben McKee (bass) and Daniel Platzman (drums), and be sure to look out for part two of our list, coming soon.
Number Fifteen: Their New Album was Recorded in Their New Home Studio. Imagine Dragons decided to build their own home studio in order to record their new album, Smoke & Mirrors. They claim that the recording process is less rushed when time in the studio is unlimited.
Number Fourteen: They Announced Their Second Album with a Scavenger Hunt. In mid-December of 2014, the band got their fans involved in the album’s release process by hiding clues on billboards around the U.S. about the album’s name, artwork and song titles. They also used social media, sending fans direct messages featuring puzzle pieces of the album’s cover.
Number Thirteen: They Work with a Cancer Charity. Imagine Dragons started The Tyler Robinson Foundation in collaboration with Robinson’s family after his death from Rhabdomyosarcoma in 2013. The band had met Robinson after they heard his story, and they became fast friends. The Tyler Robinson Foundation helps families dealing with pediatric cancer.
Number Twelve: They Have the Longest Charting Billboard Single Ever. “Radioactive” was such a big hit for the band that it spent 87 weeks on the Hot 100 chart, beating Jason Mraz’s record by 11 weeks. The song was also the number one rock song and number one alternative song of 2013.
Number Eleven: Their Recent Tour is Getting the Movie Treatment. On March 2, 2016, fans will be able to see Imagine Dragons on the big screen for one night only. The film was captured during the band’s recent Smoke + Mirrors tour.
Number Ten: “Imagine Dragons” is an Anagram. While the band has never officially said what their name is, they have said that the letters in “Imagine Dragons” are an anagram. They are not even sure how they chose “Imagine Dragons” as a name.
Number Nine: They Have a Video Game. “Stage Rush: Imagine Dragons” is an iPhone game that lets players run through Las Vegas and Paris as the band’s members, picking up coins and unlocking new levels. From now until March 4, 2016, Zig Zag Zoom, the creators of the game, will donate a dollar per download to the Tyler Robinson Foundation. Stay tuned for part two of our list of 15 interesting facts about Imagine Dragons, coming soon.