Adam Levine: 'Keyboardist's departure from Maroon 5 was hard'

Adam Levine has opened up about keyboardist Jesse Carmichael's departure from Maroon 5 earlier this year (12), admitting it was "hard" to see his friend leave.

Carmichael announced in March (12) that he was taking a hiatus from the pop rock band to pursue studies in music and the healing arts.

The musician is expected to return to work on the group's next album, but Moves Like Jagger singer Levine admits he was upset when his longtime collaborator walked away.

He tells Britain's The Sun, "It's been interesting. It's been a journey, let's put it that way. It's hard to be in a band with somebody for 20 years and then they up and leave. But he's been doing this his whole life.

"He wanted to explore other things and I completely respect that. We have a totally open-door policy and if and when he decides to return he's welcome."