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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBLACK CROWES, TheSouthern rock band from Atlanta, led by brothers vocalist Chris and guitarist Rich Robinson. Their father was a professional musician who played at the Grand Ole Opry; Rich said, 'Chris and I didn't decide to be in a band, we just assumed it.' Turned pro '84 as Mr Crowe's Garden at a bar in Chattanooga; as Black Crowes with guitarist Jeff Cease, Johnny Colt on bass, Steve Gorman on drums, their first album was Shake Your Money Maker '90 and went top five with top 40 hit 'Highway Song'. Cease was replaced by Marc Ford; second album The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion '92 reached no. 1; Eddie Harsch joined on keyboards; Amorica '94 and Three Snakes And One Charm '96 were both top 15. Their music sounded like retro to critics, but they didn't care; Chris said, 'I grew up in the Southern United States, and all those forms of music -- jazz, blues, gospel, R&B and rock'n'roll -- all came from the South. And it's still there.' They changed the set list every night and allowed space for jamming; the records were only souvenirs of a live act, which is how it should be; like today's young jazz musicians they were far enough from their heroes and their influences to play what they want. Like other brother groups (Oasis, Everly Brothers, Kinks, etc) Chris and Rich fought a lot and broke up the band not once but twice. There was talk in 2019 of a reunion in 2020. |