The Killers are an American rock band, formed in Las Vegas in 2001 by Brandon Flowers (lead vocals, keyboards, bass) and Dave Keuning (guitar, backing vocals). The band currently consists of Flowers and Keuning alongside drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr. and bassist Mark Stoermer (both since 2002).
History Flowers and Keuning first connected when Flowers responded to an ad that Keuning left in a local newspaper. After writing songs in Keuning's apartment, the band recorded demos with drummer Matt Norcross in November 2001. The band were joined by Dell Neal on bass for further demos the next month. The new four piece played shows around Las Vegas throughout 2002. Norcross was fired in Summer 2002, and was briefly replaced by Brian Havens before he was also fired. Dell Neal also left soon after for personal reasons.
Ronnie Vannucci Jr. joined as the band's new drummer after Havens departure, playing his first show on August 30, 2002. For that show, the band were joined by Mark Stoermer on bass, initially as a stand in while the band tried out other bassists, although Stoermer became permanent bassist soon after, having previously been invited to be second guitarist.
In 2006, for the Sam's Town Tour, the band were joined by touring musicians Ted Sablay on keyboards, guitar, and drum tech, as well as Rob Whited on percussion. In 2008, for the Day & Age World Tour, Sablay was replaced by Ray Suen. The band was also joined by Tommy Marth on saxophone, and guitar tech Bobby Lee Parker on acoustic guitar. Suen and Marth both departed after the tour in 2010. Sablay returned for the Battle Born World Tour, alongside Jake Blanton also on keyboards and guitar. During the Asia leg of the tour, Stoermer had to depart due to an illness, with Blanton playing bass in his absence. After the tour, Parker and Whited both stopped performing.
For a North American tour in 2016, the band was joined by Brian Karscig on guitar/keyboards, while Blanton played bass instead of Stoermer. Blanton continued to play bass for the Wonderful Wonderful World Tour in 2017, where the band was joined by Robbie Connolly and Taylor Milne on keyboards/guitar, while Sablay replaced Keuning, who had retired from touring. The band was also joined by backing vocalists Erica Canales, Amanda Brown, and Danielle Withers.
For the Imploding the Mirage Tour in 2022, Keuning returned and Sablay moved to back rhythm guitar/keyboards. Withers and Brown were also replaced by Melissa Mcmillan and Tori Allen. Keuning left the tour in May and Sablay moved back to lead guitar. Keuning returned in July. Allen and McMillan were replaced by Nicky Egan and Miranda Joan in 2023. Sablay also played lead guitar with Keuning being absent for the rest of the tour, although he has since returned in 2024.
Official members
Current members ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsBrandon Flowers2001–presentall releasesDave Keuningall releases, except Imploding the Mirage (2020)Ronnie Vannucci Jr. 2002–presentall releasesMark Stoermer2002–present all releases, except Pressure Machine (2021)
Former members ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsDell Neal2001–2002early demos and live showsMatt Norcrossdrums Brian Havens2002live shows
Touring musicians
Current touring musicians ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsTed SablayJake Blanton2011–presentnone Robbie Connolly2017–presentTaylor MilneErica Canales2018–presentbacking vocalsNicky Egan2023–presentMiranda Joanbacking vocals
Former touring musicians ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsRob Whited2006–2014Live from the Royal Albert Hall (2009)Bobby Lee Parker 2008–2014acoustic guitarRay Suen2008–2010Tommy Marth2008–2010 Brian Karscig2016noneAmanda Brown2017–2018backing vocalsDanielle WithersMelissa McMillan2021–2023Tori Allen
Timeline
Touring musicians timeline
Line-ups PeriodMembersReleasesMid 2001 Brandon Flowers – lead vocals, keyboards, bass Dave Keuning – guitar, backing vocalsnone November – December 2001 Brandon Flowers – lead vocals, keyboards, bass Dave Keuning – guitar, backing vocals Matt Norcross – drumsDecember 2001 – summer 2002 Brandon Flowers – lead vocals, keyboards Dave Keuning – guitar, backing vocals Matt Norcross – drums Dell Neal – bassnone summer 2002 Brandon Flowers – lead vocals, keyboards Dave Keuning – guitar, backing vocals Dell Neal – bass Brian Havens – drumsAugust 2002 – August 2017 Brandon Flowers – lead vocals, keyboards, bass Dave Keuning – guitar, backing vocals Ronnie Vannucci Jr. – drums Mark Stoermer – bass, backing vocals, guitar Hot Fuss (2004) Sam's Town (2006) Day & Age (2008) Live from the Royal Albert Hall (2009) (Red) Christmas EP (2011) Battle Born (2012) Don't Waste Your Wishes (2016) Wonderful Wonderful (2017)August 2017 – January 2021 Brandon Flowers – lead vocals, keyboards, bass Ronnie Vannucci Jr. – drums, guitar Mark Stoermer – guitar, bass, backing vocals Imploding the Mirage (2020)January – August 2021 Brandon Flowers – lead vocals, keyboards Ronnie Vannucci Jr. – drums, guitar Dave Keuning – guitar, backing vocals Pressure Machine (2021)August 2021 – present Brandon Flowers – lead vocals, keyboards, bass Ronnie Vannucci Jr. – drums Dave Keuning – guitar, backing vocals Mark Stoermer – bass, backing vocals, guitarnone to date
References