Brandon Flowers Lead Singer of The Killers;Mormon Rockstar

In the early 2000s a new band called The Killers began to dominate the pop music scene.

The band was led by a handsome and charming frontman Brandon Flowers. The band's debut Hot Fuss became one of 2004's biggest releases.

The band delivered a mix of '80s-styled pop and hip charm. Catchy songs became hits songs such as:

Somebody Told Me and Mr. Brightside

So Who Is Brandon Flowers?

Flowers credits his musical education to his brother Shane who was 12 years older, who showed him Smiths videos and U2's "Rattle and Hum" movie.The Cars became a major influence after he listened to an old album of his brother's.

Flowers was born on June 21, 1981, in Henderson, Nevada. He has one brother, Shane, and four sisters. He’s the son of working-class parents; his father worked for a grocery store, and his mother was a homemaker.

The family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), or more commonly known as the Mormon Church, when Brandon was five years old.

The Family lived in Nevada until Flowers was eight, when they moved to Utah.

Preferring Las Vegas, Flowers decided during high school to move back to Las Vegas to live with his aunt and graduated from High School there in 1999.

After dropping out of college Flowers was a bellhop at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

In 2001, He was abandoned by the first band that he was in, a synth pop band known as Blush Response, after he refused to move with the rest of them to Los Angeles.

Still wanting to perform music Flowers responded to an ad that Dave Keuning had placed in the paper for a bandmate.

The two clicked immediately and began rehearsing. They were joined by a bassist Mark Stoermer, and later drummer Ronnie Vannucci, and they became The Killers.

Flowers continues to be a Mormon, which seems conflicting with being a Rock star.

Rock Star lifestyles are associated with Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll...Right?

Flowers undoubtedly has dealt with much temptation living in the city of sin, and his adoring female fans who would like nothing more than to "corrupt him".

Living in Las Vegas in particular one is surrounded by all the things "Sinful"... Not an ideal place for a Mormon, who is supposed to avoid all "Stimulants", even caffeine.

Flowers is boyishly handsome, tall, & lanky with a gleaming white smile and nervous laugh. As part of The Killers he has dressed in sparkles, glitter, and donned eyeliner and feather clad outfits; appearing rather metrosexual at times.

There is no doubt though that Flowers is commanding frontman on stage. Flowers does not lack confidence in his music. And has been criticized for negative comments made about bands like Green Day which he has since apologized for.

How does Flowers deal with the typical Rockstar lifestyle?

In an interview with Spin magazine Flower's admits he has smoked and drank in the past.

Spin:Q "Spin once described you as an ex-Mormon. Is religion important in your life?"

Flowers: A "It's very important. I mean, it's important in everyone's life. Basic religion is the reason we have morals. I am actually a Mormon, not an ex-Mormon.

I occasionally drink and smoke...

But I'm trying-I'm human. "

Flowers explains he both grew up and chose to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

He also stated that he has not used alcohol for a very long time.

Mormons & Music

Interestingly The Latter Day Saints website has this to say about Music:

"Music is an important and powerful part of life. It can be an influence for good that helps you draw closer to Heavenly Father. However, it can also be used for wicked purposes. Unworthy music may seem harmless, but it can have evil effects on your mind and spirit.

Choose carefully the music you listen to. Pay attention to how you feel when you are listening.

Don’t listen to music that drives away the Spirit, encourages immorality, glorifies violence, uses foul or offensive language, or promotes Satanism or other evil practices."

Family Man

Flowers married his longtime girlfriend Tana Munblowsky on August 2, 2005 on the island of O'ahu in Hawaii.

Brandon and his wife have three sons, Ammon (named after a Book of Mormon prophet), born July 14, 2007. Gunnar, born July 28, 2009, and Henry, born March 9, 2011.

The couple met before his rise to fame, while she was working in a second hand clothing store in Las Vegas. Flowers was shopping for some outfits for a performance.

Going Solo...

The Killers are still alive and well, as a band.

But when the band decided to take a break from touring. Flowers decided instead to try his first solo album, Flamingo released in September 14, 2010.

Flowers explained "I don't blame them for taking a break," says the singer. "But I'm always writing, and I wanted to chase these songs. I also have a fear that if I stop for a year, it might mess me up."

Flamingo has many influences from pop, gospel tunes, and even bluesy rock, with Johnny Cash influenced tracks.

Views on Homosexuality on LDS.org

"We want to help these people, to strengthen them, to assist them with their problems and to help them with their difficulties. But we cannot stand idle if they indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and defend and live in a so-called same-sex marriage situation. To permit such would be to make light of the very serious and sacred foundation of God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, the rearing of families" (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1998, 71).

What rules Mormons are supposed to live by?

According to the official website LDS.org these are some standards of behavior expected for everyday life:

Dating

• Begin dating only after you are sixteen.
• When you begin dating, go in groups or double date.
• Date only those with high standards.
• Avoid temptation.

Dress and Appearance

• Dress modestly to show respect for God and yourself.
• Avoid extremes in your clothing and appearance.
• Dress appropriately for all Church meetings and activities.

Friendshipping

• Choose good friends with whom you share common high standards.
• Go out of your way to help shy friends.
• Treat everyone with kindness and dignity.
• Invite your nonmember friends to Church activities.

Honesty

• Be honest with yourself.
• Be honest with others.
• Be honest with Lord.

Language

• Use language to build up and inspire others.
• Do not use profane, vulgar, or crude language.
• Never take the name of Deity in vain.
• Do not gossip.

Media

• Use only good media that will uplift and inspire yourself and others.
• Avoid pornography in all forms.
• Do not see vulgar movies or videos.
• Leave or change any immoral or suggestive situation.

Mental and Physical Health

• Keep your body, mind, and spirit healthy.
• Do not use drugs, alcohol, coffee, tea, or tobacco products.
• Remember your body is a temple of God where the Holy Spirit can dwell.

Music and Dancing

• Use good music to help you draw closer to Heavenly Father.
• Do not listen to music that encourages immorality, uses offensive language, or drives the Spirit away.
• When dancing, avoid full body contact or intimate positions with your partner.
• Plan and attend dances where the Spirit of the Lord may be present.

Sexual Purity

• Treat your date with respect, and expect respect in return.
• Abstain from premarital sex, petting, necking, sex perversion, masturbation, and preoccupation with sex in thought, speech, and action.
• Reserve sexual intimacy for marriage.
• Refrain from homosexual and lesbian activities.
• Seek help and counseling if you become a victim of rape, incest, or other sexual abuse.

Sunday Behavior

• Use the Sabbath to worship the Lord, strengthen family relationships, help others, and draw close to the Lord.
• Avoid seeking entertainment or spending money on the Sabbath.
• When possible, avoid working on Sunday.

Repentance

• If you have made mistakes, you can be cleansed through proper repentance.

Spiritual Help

• You are never alone. Rely on the Holy Ghost. Knowing what is right and wrong is always possible.

Flowers admits he has waivered in following the dictates of the Church (mostly the health laws, or “Word of Wisdom),” .

But he has said in his most recent interviews that his faith is becoming more and more important to him.