Other meanings of The Black Crowes
Music
The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1989. Known for their hit cover of "Hard to Handle" and albums like Shake Your Money Maker and The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, they became one of the most commercially successful rock acts of the early 1990s, blending blues, soul, and Southern rock into a sound often compared to the Rolling Stones and Faces.
The band formed when brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, along with guitarist Jeff Cease, bassist Johnny Colt, and drummer Steve Gorman, came together in Atlanta. Their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker (1990), produced by George Drakoulias, reached multi-platinum status, driven by the hit cover of Otis Redding's "Hard to Handle" and originals like "She Talks to Angels."1
Their follow-up, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion (1992), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, cementing their place in the early '90s rock scene. The album showcased a more expansive sound, incorporating gospel backing vocals and extended jams.
After the departure of guitarist Marc Ford and bassist Johnny Colt, the band continued with Amorica (1994) and Three Snakes and One Charm (1996), which explored psychedelic and funk influences. The late 1990s saw lineup instability and a hiatus, but the band returned with Lions (2001), produced by Don Was.2
In 2005, the band announced an indefinite hiatus, with Chris Robinson forming the Chris Robinson Brotherhood and Rich Robinson pursuing solo work. They reunited in 2019 for a 30th-anniversary tour, and in 2024 released Happiness Bastards, their first studio album in 15 years.3
The Black Crowes' sound is rooted in classic rock, blues, and soul, drawing from artists like the Rolling Stones, Faces, and the Allman Brothers Band. Their music often features dual guitars, boogie-woogie piano, and Chris Robinson's raspy, soulful vocals.4
They were part of a wave of late-'80s/early-'90s bands that revived 1970s rock aesthetics, alongside groups like Guns N' Roses and the Georgia Satellites. Their live performances, known for lengthy improvisations, earned them a dedicated following and a reputation as a premier touring act.5
Despite their success, the band never won a Grammy, though they received nominations. Their 1990 cover of "Hard to Handle" was originally a B-side, but radio play made it a hit.
The band's name was inspired by a friend's taunt about their music being "black crowes" music, a reference to their bluesy sound. They also had a notable feud with Oasis in the late '90s, which included a public spat between Chris Robinson and Liam Gallagher.
In 1997, they released a live album, Three Snakes and One Charm sessions, but it was shelved. Their 2008 album Warpaint was recorded in a barn in upstate New York, and they have a side project called the Magpie Salute, formed by Rich Robinson after the 2015 breakup.3
This article focuses on the American rock band The Black Crowes, not the unrelated 1930s jazz group of the same name.
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