The Black Crowes

Turbulent though the Black Crowes' career has been, no other band of the '90s can approach them when it comes to delivering fiery, blues-based rock and roll in the tradition of the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the early Stones. Though the group has often been accused of aesthetic thievery (a criticism also leveled at Led Zeppelin at its peak, it should be noted), those who malign the band ignore one essential fact: from the Beatles to Bowie to R.E.M., rock has always been about borrowing and lending, about assimilating influences and then stamping the results with one's own indelible imprint. In that sense, the Black Crowes' music evidences a reverence for tradition that's not only honorable, but that's worthy of admiration.

The band's beginnings can be traced to December of 1983, when, at age fifteen, Rich Robinson was presented with a guitar for Christmas and immediately set about writing songs with his brother, Chris (who had just turned a ripe-old eighteen). Calling themselves Mr. Crowe's Garden, the two played their first show just six months later at a bar in Chattanooga, two hours away from their hometown of Atlanta.

In contrast to the southern-fried musical concoction for which they eventually became known, the Robinson brothers first tried to emulate their folk-pop heroes. While playing a show in New York in 1988, the duo caught the ear of George Drakoulias. A little over a year later, under Drakoulias' tutelage, the Robinsons had a new band name, two new band members, and, most importantly, a new sound.

With a label contract in hand (Drakoulias got them signed to Def American for the initial sum

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of $5000), the Black Crowes set about recording what they hoped would be their own Exile On Main Street.

While not up to that classic's high standards, the results nonetheless marked the emergence of a remarkably mature band (musically speaking) whose determination and spirit were undeniable.

After its release in 1990, Shake Your Money Maker began slowly ascending the charts. Fittingly, when Rolling Stone published its annual critics' and readers' polls for 1991, the Black Crowes found themselves sitting atop both lists in the category for Best New American Band.

A worthy follow-up to the band's debut, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion was released in the spring of 1992 to considerable acclaim. From a stylistic standpoint the Crowes remained on firm footing. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said of the group's next two outings which were marred by a time of great stress for the band. It was clear that from both a creative and a personal standpoint, internal strife was taking a toll. The Crowes remained active on the concert circuit, most notably as featured performers on the Grateful Dead-inspired Further Festivals, but radical changes seemed to be in the offing.

In late 1997 those changes came with a vengeance. Following a series of tantalizing concerts staged to support their box set, Sho' Nuff, the group headed for New York in the summer of 1998 to record new material with Aerosmith producer Kevin Shirley. Released on January 12, the resulting album, By Your Side, offers a rekindling of the confidence and spirit of the band's debut. Thus far, the album has met with glowing reviews.