Dan Reynolds
The commanding voice behind Imagine Dragons, he transformed personal struggle into anthemic rock that dominated global charts for a decade.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American singer and songwriter·Birthday: July 14·Millennials
Biography
Dan Reynolds built a sonic empire from Las Vegas, channeling his experiences with faith, mental health, and identity into the massively popular band Imagine Dragons. Formed in 2008, the group broke through with 'It's Time' and then achieved stratospheric success with 'Radioactive,' a track that shattered records for longevity on the Billboard charts. Reynolds' powerful, earnest delivery and the band's drum-heavy, anthemic style defined a era of pop-rock. Beyond music, he has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, founding the LOVELOUD festival to support queer youth, and openly discussing his own battles with depression and ankylosing spondylitis.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Dan was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Dan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Dan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Led Imagine Dragons to win a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance for 'Radioactive' in 2014.
- Founded the LOVELOUD Festival to benefit LGBTQ+ youth and promote acceptance.
- Received the Songwriters Hall of Fame Hal David Starlight Award for his contributions as a young songwriter.
Did You Know?
He is one of nine children in a conservative, Mormon family in Las Vegas.
Reynolds studied at Brigham Young University before dropping out to focus on music.
He has a large tattoo of a phoenix on his chest, symbolizing rebirth and overcoming challenges.
He is married to Aja Volkman, a singer from the band Nico Vega, with whom he has several children.
“The goal is to be able to separate yourself from your art, so that you can look at it objectively and not be so emotionally attached to it.”
