List of the Black Crowes members

The Black Crowes are an American Southern rock band from Marietta, Georgia. Originally formed by brothers Chris (lead vocals) and Rich Robinson (lead guitar) in 1984 as Mr Crowe's Garden, the group went through a series of early personnel changes before settling on a lineup including rhythm guitarist Jeff Cease, bassist Johnny Colt and drummer Steve Gorman in 1989. The current lineup of the band, which reformed in November 2019 after breaking up for a third time in 2015, includes the Robinson brothers and new members Isaiah Mitchell (rhythm guitar), Tim Lefebvre (bass), Raj Ojha (drums) and Joel Robinow (keyboards).

Two lineups of the Black Crowes in 2005 (top) and 2008 (bottom).

History

1984–2002

Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson formed Mr. Crowe's Garden in 1984, working with a succession of six bassists and three drummers during the band's formative years.[1] Early members included Keith Joyner (bass),[2] Jeff Sullivan (drums),[3] and Ted Selke (bass).[4] By 1989, the group had been renamed the Black Crowes and featured rhythm guitarist Jeff Cease, bassist Johnny Colt and drummer Steve Gorman.[5][6] After the release of the group's debut album Shake Your Money Maker, Cease was replaced by former Burning Tree guitarist Marc Ford in November 1991.[7] Eddie Harsch was added as the band's first keyboardist the following year.[8] After three more studio albums, Ford was dismissed in August 1997 due to a heroin addiction, before Colt left shortly thereafter in October.[9]

Colt was replaced by Sven Pipien for By Your Side, on which both lead and rhythm guitars were performed by Rich Robinson.[10] Audley Freed joined as a touring guitarist for shows starting in June 1998.[11] In May 2000, Pipien was replaced by Greg Rzab, debuting on a tour with former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page following the release of Live at the Greek.[12] Rzab had left by the end of the year, and Rich Robinson played bass on the 2001 release Lions.[13] Andy Hess took over Rzab's vacated position once the album was recorded, debuting in February 2001.[14] After a final tour which spawned a live release simply titled Live,[15] Gorman left the Black Crowes in December 2001 and the remaining members announced the band's "indefinite hiatus" the following month.[16]

2005 onward

After a three-year hiatus, the Black Crowes reformed in March 2005 with a lineup of Chris and Rich Robinson, former members Marc Ford and Sven Pipien, and new drummer Bill Dobrow.[17] Within two months, Gorman had returned as the band's drummer.[18] After a tour which spawned the live release Freak 'n' Roll... Into the Fog, Harsch left in August 2006 due to "health reasons" and was replaced by Rob Clores.[19] Just over a week later, Ford also left the band citing "health reasons", with Paul Stacey taking his place for upcoming tour dates.[20] Clores was dismissed and replaced by Adam MacDougall in July 2007,[21] and in November Luther Dickinson joined as second guitarist, after having performed on Warpaint.[22] After a final tour, the band went on "indefinite hiatus" again in July 2011.[23]

The Black Crowes announced its return again on Christmas Day 2012 with Jackie Greene taking Dickinson's place in the band for tour dates starting the following March.[24] The tour was followed by a period of extended inactivity before Rich Robinson formally announced in January 2015 that the Black Crowes had broken up due to a disagreement between him and brother Chris regarding ownership of the band.[25]

However, in November 2019 after several weeks of rumors, it was announced that the Black Crowes had reunited for a planned 2020 tour in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Shake Your Money Maker, with a new lineup including the Robinson brothers, rhythm guitarist Isaiah Mitchell, bassist Tim Lefebvre, drummer Raj Ojha and keyboardist Joel Robinow.[26]

Members

Current

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Chris Robinson	1989–2002 2005–2011 2012–2015 2019–present	lead vocals harmonica acoustic guitar percussion	all Black Crowes releases
	Rich Robinson		guitar backing vocals
	Isaiah Mitchell	2019–present (touring only)	guitar	none
	Tim Lefebvre		bass
	Raj Ojha		drums percussion
	Joel Robinow		keyboards backing vocals

Former

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Steve Gorman	1989–2001 2005–2011 2012–2015	drums percussion	all Black Crowes releases to date
	Johnny Colt (Charles Brandt)	1989–1997	bass	all Black Crowes releases from Shake Your Money Maker (1990) to Sho' Nuff Live (1998) The Lost Crowes (2006)
	Jeff Cease	1989–1991	guitar	Shake Your Money Maker (1990)
	Marc Ford	1991–1997 2005–2006	guitar backing vocals	all Black Crowes releases from The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion (1992) to Sho' Nuff Live (1998) Freak 'n' Roll... Into the Fog (2006) The Lost Crowes (2006)
	Eddie Harsch (Edward Hawrysch)	1992–2002 2005–2006 (died 2016)	keyboards piano	all Black Crowes releases from The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion (1992) to The Lost Crowes (2006)
	Sven Pipien	1997–2000 2005–2011 2012–2015	bass backing vocals	By Your Side (1999) Live at the Greek (2000) Freak 'n' Roll... Into the Fog (2006) all Black Crowes releases from Warpaint (2008) to Wiser for the Time (2013)
	Audley Freed	1998–2002 (initially a touring member only)	guitar	Live at the Greek (2000) Lions (2001) Live (2002)
	Greg Rzab	2000	bass	Live at the Greek (2000)
	Andy Hess	2001–2002		Live (2002)
	Bill Dobrow	2005	drums	none – live performances only
	Rob Clores	2006–2007	keyboards
	Paul Stacey	2006–2007 (touring only)	guitar
	Adam MacDougall	2007–2011 2012–2015	keyboards backing vocals	all Black Crowes releases from Warpaint (2008) to Wiser for the Time (2013)
	Luther Dickinson	2007–2011	guitar mandolin harmonica
	Jackie Greene	2012–2015	guitar backing vocals	none – live performances only

Timeline

Lineups

Period	Members	Releases
Late 1989 – November 1991	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Jeff Cease – guitar Johnny Colt – bass Steve Gorman – drums, percussion	Shake Your Money Maker (1990)
November 1991 – August 1997	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Marc Ford – guitar, backing vocals Johnny Colt – bass Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Eddie Harsch – keyboards, piano (initially a touring member 1991–92)	The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion (1992) Amorica (1994) Three Snakes and One Charm (1996) Sho' Nuff Live (1998) The Lost Crowes (2006)
August – October 1997	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Johnny Colt – bass Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Eddie Harsch – keyboards, piano	none
December 1997 – June 1998	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Eddie Harsch – keyboards, piano	By Your Side (1999)
June 1998 – May 2000	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Audley Freed – guitar (touring only) Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Eddie Harsch – keyboards, piano	Live at the Greek (2000)
May – December 2000	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Audley Freed – guitar Greg Rzab – bass Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Eddie Harsch – keyboards, piano	none
January – February 2001	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, bass, backing vocals Audley Freed – guitar Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Eddie Harsch – keyboards, piano	Lions (2001)
February – December 2001	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Audley Freed – guitar Andy Hess – bass Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Eddie Harsch – keyboards, piano	Live (2002)
December 2001 – January 2002	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Audley Freed – guitar Andy Hess – bass Eddie Harsch – keyboards, piano	none
Band inactive January 2002 – March 2005
March – May 2005	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Marc Ford – guitar, backing vocals Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Bill Dobrow – drums Eddie Harsch – keyboards, piano	none
May 2005 – August 2006	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Marc Ford – guitar, backing vocals Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Eddie Harsch – keyboards, piano	Freak 'n' Roll... Into the Fog: The Black Crowes All Join Hands, The Fillmore, San Francisco (2006)
August – September 2006	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Marc Ford – guitar, backing vocals Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Rob Clores – keyboards	none
September 2006 – July 2007	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Paul Stacey – guitar (touring only) Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Rob Clores – keyboards
July – November 2007	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Paul Stacey – guitar (touring only) Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Adam MacDougall – keyboards, backing vocals
November 2007 – July 2011	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Luther Dickinson – guitar, harmonica Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Adam MacDougall – keyboards, backing vocals	Warpaint (2008) Warpaint Live (2009) Before the Frost... Until the Freeze (2009) Croweology (2010) Wiser for the Time (2013)
Band inactive July 2011 – December 2012
December 2012 – January 2015	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Jackie Greene – guitar, backing vocals Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Adam MacDougall – keyboards, backing vocals	none
Band inactive January 2015 – November 2019
November 2019 – present	Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Isaiah Mitchell – guitar, backing vocals Tim Lefebvre – bass Raj Ojha – drums, percussion Joel Robinow – keyboards, backing vocals	none

References

1. Larkin, Colin (May 27, 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. London, England: Omnibus Press. p. 2629. ISBN 978-0857125958. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
2. Lurie, Robert Dean (October 28, 2016). "The Time Is Now, The Time Is Yesterday: Seven Simons". Blurt. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
3. Cobb, Mike (December 7, 2016). "Scarred But Smarter (Life N Times of Drivin N Cryin)". Elmore Magazine. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
4. Thompson, Dave (June 18, 2014). "Studying Ormythology on the Seventh Ring of Saturn". Goldmine. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
5. Friedrich, Adam (October 19, 2019). "Drummer's Memoir Says Black Crowes Were 'Too Hard To Handle'". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
6. "The Black Crowes - Miserable". Paste. September 15, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
7. Boehm, Mike (November 16, 1991). "O.C. Guitarist to Join Rock's Black Crowes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
8. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Black Crowes: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
9. Johnson, Tina (May 29, 1998). "The Black Crowes' Chris Robinson Discusses Band's 'New Era'". Allstar. Archived from the original on July 5, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
10. "Black Crowes Begin Work On New Album, Name Bassist". MTV. March 16, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
11. "Black Crowes Delay New Album, Box Set Due In August". MTV. July 22, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
12. Basham, David (May 10, 2000). "Black Crowes Get New Bassist For Page Tour". MTV. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
13. "Black Crowes Find Themselves On 'Lions'". Billboard. April 13, 2001. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
14. Basham, David (February 5, 2001). "Black Crowes Nest In N.Y. Club For Lions Party". MTV. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
15. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Live - The Black Crowes: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
16. "The Black Crowes Announce Indefinite Hiatus". Blabbermouth.net. January 9, 2002. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
17. Kaufman, Gil (March 4, 2005). "Black Crowes Reunion Now A Full-Blown Tour". MTV. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
18. "Drummer Steve Gorman Rejoins Black Crowes". Blabbermouth.net. May 6, 2005. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
19. "The Black Crowes Keyboardist Quits For 'Health Reasons'". Blabbermouth.net. August 28, 2006. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
20. "Guitarist Quit Black Crowes For Health Reasons". Blabbermouth.net. September 8, 2006. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
21. Calemine, James. "Adam MacDougall Interview: The Black Crowes Electric Spanking of Warpaint Babies". Swampland. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
22. Bernstein, Scott (November 28, 2007). "Luther Dickinson Joins The Black Crowes". Glide. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
23. "The Black Crowes Announces Final European Leg Of 20th Anniversary Tour". Blabbermouth.net. January 19, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
24. "The Black Crowes End Hiatus". Blabbermouth.net. December 25, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
25. "The Black Crowes Are No More, Says Guitarist Rich Robinson". Blabbermouth.net. January 15, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
26. Blistein, Jon (November 11, 2019). "Black Crowes Reunite, Plot 2020 'Shake Your Money Maker' Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 12, 2019.

External links

• The Black Crowes official website