The Black Crowes (formed in 1989) is an American blues and Southern rock band that draws huge comparisons with the Rolling Stones and the Faces, hailing from Marietta, Georgia, U.S.
Originally formed under the moniker Mr. Crowe’s Garden in 1984, the earliest incarnation took influence from local act R.E.M, 1960’s psychedelia, and classic rock. Though the band had undergone many changes over its history, brother Chris and Rich Robinson have remained at the core on The Black Crowes sound. In 1989 following a successful demo the band signed with Def American, who issued The Black Crowes' debut album “Shake Your Money Maker” in 1990. The multi-platinum selling release was recorded with the band’s first lineup of vocalist Chris Robinson, guitarist Rich Robinson, bassist Johnny Colt, guitarist Jeff Cease, and drummer Steve Gorman. Though the album proved relatively popular as a whole, it was their Top 30 cover of the Otis Redding song “Hard to Handle”, followed by the singles “She Talks to Angels”, “Jealous Again” that really catapulted the band to mainstream consciousness. In support of the release the Black Crowes opened for ZZ Top and took part on the Monsters of Rock tour in the Soviet Union alongside Mötley Crüe and Queensrÿche.
The band’s sophomore album “The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion” arrived in 1992 marking the departure of guitarist Jeff Cease and the arrival of Marc Ford. The album topped the Billboard 200 upon release, aided by the singles “Remedy”, “Sting Me”, “Thorn in my Pride”, and “Hotel Illness”. To fill out The Black Crowes' sound they invited the keyboardist Eddie Harsch to join their ranks, and whom made his debut on the album “Amorica” in 1994. The album earned strong reviews from a number of reputable sources including Rolling Stone magazine and was supported by a national tour, including an opening slot for the Grateful Dead in 1995.
In 1996 The Black Crowes released the full-length “Three Snakes and One Charm”, which the band supported with a summer run on the 1997 Further Festival with Ratdog and Bruce Hornsby. Following the release guitarist Marc Ford was sacked from the group, bassist Johnny Colt left of his own accord, and the Crowes lineup dissolved itself. After a small hiatus, a reformed Black Crowes appeared in 1999 consisting of the Robinson brothers, bassist Sven Pipien, and guitarist Audley Freed. The new lineup released the studio album “By Your Side” in January 1999, the same year the band were joined by Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page for a pair of shows in New York and Los Angeles.
The full-length “Lions” followed in 2001 issued by Richard Branson's V2 label. Charting at No. 20 on the Bilboard 200, The Black Crowes toured alongside Oasis and Spacehog before embarking on their own headlining tour. With tensions running high within the group, the Black Crowes took a hiatus in January 2002, which saw Rich Robinson release a solo album entitled “Paper” in 2004. The group returned however in 2005 to play a show at San Francisco’s Fillmore, which found its way onto the live release “Freak ’N’ Roll… Into the Fog” in 2006. The compilation of previously unreleased albums entitled “The Lost Crowes” was issued in 2006, after which guitarist Luther Dickinson join the band’s ranks. The new guitarist directed the group in a more southern rock style, which was apparent on the 2008 album “Warpaint”. In 2009 The Black Crowes released their eighth studio album “Before the Frost/Until the Freeze”, followed by 2010’s “Croweology”, and the 2013 live album “Wiser for the Time”.
Will Varley
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