Author:Steve Gorman +Stephen Hyden
I stopped reading rock star memoirs a few years ago, having taken a view of what more could they offer. This probably arose when I read Motley Crue’s The Dirt and the Warren Zevon biography in quick succession; no one’s walking away from those two clean. Those books show envelopes being well and truly pushed no matter what one may think of the music and as years pass what may in teenage years have seemed like high spirits seems through a middle aged rearview mirror as arrested development and started to detract from the music.
However If any band were to draw me back in for the ride then its The Black Crowes and I’ve been looking forward to this book by their ex drummer since hearing that it was being written last year.
Initially derided by some as Stones / Faces copyists The Crowes have been for the best part of 30 years one of ‘my touchstone bands’ and IMHO their mid 90’s output ( Sothern Harmony, Amorica, 3 Snakes) stands comparison against anyones. Which probably just means that I was the right age for them when they came along. In many ways they seemed poised to be the last big rock band over before times and fashions changed an honor that seems to have fallen to the Foo Fighters. But for a variety of reasons, mostly self inflicted this proved to be beyond their reach and this book details all the ways in which despite good fortune and good advice they managed to keep making the wrong choices.
Drumming for pretty much all of this time was Steve Gorman who was with the band from inception until the break-up before the latest re-group. Whilst the Robinsons were the face of the band he was for the most part a fully fledged member of the Black Crowes inc. The Charlie to the brothers Mick and Keef if you will.
Jumping straight in with a phone call that leads to dropping out of college, heading to Atlanta and the pre fame bands Mary My Hope and Mr Crowes Garden. It’s not long until the Black Crowes are forming, seeking a direction, then being picked up by heavyweight management and scoring a massively successful debut album. This does not take a long time.
It all seems to come very easily, a fact that Gorman acknowledges more than once. In fact at one point he states that the band weren’t like the Replacements or Big Star I.e cult favourites who couldn’t get a break. They were given multiple opportunities with the world and career paths plus pension plans laid at their feet but just wouldn’t or couldn’t make the right decisions.
In no small part this boils down to Chris and Rich the siblings in the band who like the Gallagher brothers in Oasis share a relationship that is at best strained. The two bands go on tour together at one point dubbed inevitably as “The Brotherly Love” tour.
It’s an interesting career arc, great immediate success followed by artistic blossoming but diminishing commercial and financial returns compounded by perverse ‘band’ decisions. Blow the best part of a million on a self produced and unreleased album check; make quality album that everyone likes then chose bikini pube album cover that largest retailer wont stock and insult buyer check, lead singer gets estranged from band and wants to pursue a different direction, check.Then an unexpected renaissance when they are championed by Jimmy Page who takes them under his wing, tours with them and seeks to further endorse them by producing / co-writing / performing on at least one track from the next album tour plans are being set years in advance for joint Page / Crowes tours and a place at rocks top table seemingly awaits.It’s at this point that one has to marvel at how anyone could snatch defeat from the jaws of victory but again they do so.
The later years seem to be skipped over somewhat, possibly because it would have been repeating the same cycle of dysfunctional arguments and odd decisions or possibly just because it was running long. The two authors have posted some of the cut material on their twitter feeds and the passage where all band members hear ok computer should imho have been kept in.
I found this to be a real page turner though and blasted through the entire book in only a few late night reads. If theres one criticism then perhaps I could wish for more insight into the writing and recording process but this is a minor gripe.
it’s a very enjoyable read.
If you are interested enough to read this far then can I also point you towards The Srate of Amorica podcast which had Steve Gorman on recently talking about the book and the recently announced BC reunion tour which he isn’t part of. He comes across as an excellent guest – he’s has a post Crowes career as a sports radio show host so is comfortable talking and seems pretty relaxed about where he now finds himself. He has a new band Trigger Hippy to promote and seems at peace with no longer being a Black Crowe.
Oh and The State of Amorica seem very active on twitter and are not adverse to sharing things that they have access to with followers.
Length of Read:Medium
Might appeal to people who enjoyed…
My life in a band books
One thing you’ve learned
The author taught Jimmy Page to nap before a show.
Johnny Colt won the Black Crowes
Great review NE1. I saw the Crowes in about 1993, touring Southern Harmony, and they were utterly fantastic. A few years later I saw them at the Albert Hall and they were almost completely flat and uninvolved. Chris Robinson uttered one thing in the hour and a half. I’m guessing hard drugs were a factor.
To me, Steve Gorman is one of the very best drummers – the power of John Bonham with the swing of Charlie Watts and as vital as either to the sound of his band. It’s a real shame when people reform their band without key members for a quick buck (hello Axl Rose, Neil Finn) and I won’t be going to see the Crowes this time – if the brothers can keep playing for this long.
I really wanted to see the Magpie Salute – Rich Robinson’s side project with a number of ex-Crowes and a great line in interesting covers as well as some great songs of their own. A few months ago Rich was saying MS were the band he really wanted, and he’d never countenance being in the same room as his brother, let alone playing together. Funny what money can do.
Looking forward to reading the book.
I seem to remember that The Albert Hall shows get covered with Steve contrasting where the band were and how different the second visit was. Egos and unfettered access to the wrong things……
Yes the magpie salute was looking like it was The BC mk 2 musically but money appears to have spoken in order to get the brothers back together. It will be interesting to see how long it lasts and whether any new music comes from the latest grouping beyond the tour.
Sounds a good one. TSHAMC is a great fave of mine.
I think we’ve had this clip before, and I think I described it as “incendiary”. That is still my opinion.
Pre-ordered it on Audible, last week. Can’t wait. The piece is this month’s Uncut is incendiary enough to prick anyone’s interest. I’m tempted by the upcoming tour, never having seen the band – tbh, if Gorman was playing, I’d be nailed on – I love his style and feel.
By the way, his band, Trigger Hippy, are fantastic – 2 albums on Spotify and very Word/Afterword friendly.
Oh, and great review @NE1
Agree on the Trigger Hippy @niallb
The albums are well worth a listen for many on here and they look like they would be a good evening out if they were in the vicinity.
Please, please, please consider the audiobook version, read by Steve.
Not only is he an excellent narrator*, but he conveys the absurdity and rage of having to share space with the brothers Robinson, and how they continually wrestle a spectacular defeat from the jaws of victory. He’s still audibly baffled and enraged by them.
Great Page and Plant stories too.
*Not all rock stars do a good job of narrating. Debbie Harry, I’m looking especially at you, unfortunately.
Saw them live supporting The Stones in 95. They were a massive disappointment.
Saw the Crowes 3 times in all. Bout 20 years back, around the time of Lions album and a few times more, all in London. Last time rather annoyingly Jimmy Page came on to guest with them during encore………..after we had left. Then I lost my phone on the tube on the way home. Not my night.
Saw Magpie Salute last year, really enjoyed, and Chris Robinson Brotherhood a few years back, both times in Camden. Got all their albums too, although I’m not against being able to know that Chris can and often is an arse, as I’m sure the book will attest. In fact had tickets for a CRB album preview and signing at Rough Trade East last year but they cancelled and then a few months later Neal Casal sadly took his own life. That’s one signed album I wish I could’ve had.
Anyway, no interest in the reformed band. Cash grab is all well and good but im not really a fan of the first album. Surely would make more sense on the tour to play one of 2 or 3 albums in their entirety. Certainly Southern Harmony is the gem.
I’ll pass on tickets unless I saw one cheap on the day.
Quite fancy getting the audiobook version of this. There’s a huge long thread on the book over on hoffmans, I’ve avoided and will read or listen for myself eventually.
What is the ‘OK Computer’ story? I’m guessing they weren’t too keen on it?
Well one person didn’t like them, most everyone else was on board.
Hopefully this twitter link works.
Chris Robinson and Vulpes Vulpes. Never seen in the same room together.
Saw the band in 91 just after they had played Moscow Monsters Of Rock to an alleged million people. Still put in a knockout performance including a cover of ‘Get Back’
Saw them at Brixton on the SH&MC tour n then not again til the 2000’s
I was at the Shepherds Bush show when Page came on to play Shake Your Moneymaker (the song) with them. Last saw em at KT Forum (2014-5?) as was ‘the last time’.
70 quid tickets this time, coulda got a pair for that on last tour and no Steve – nope, been with em since buying the Jealous Again 12″ picture disc in Our Price, through thick n thin but I’ll let this one slide
Looking forward to the book thou – might get the audio version
I’ve had this book review on my phone since before christmas and finally got around to posting it this week. I hadn’t even thought about a uk leg of the tour and was surprised to get the advance sales details in the inbox today.
Leeds and Manchester shows should mean it’s a cert for me but as has been noted £70 tickets, just the brothers of a feather plus new hired faces and seemingly a straight run through of the first album…….. at the moment it’s a no from me. Which saddens me a bit because of all the times I’ve seen them when they were good they were very very very good and I’d love them to be so again. I’ll wait for th he tour to start and see what the reviews are like, I could weaken especially if prices were dropped.
Anyway thanks for the replies, I am tempted to get the audible version based on the comments above and if anyones in two minds about whether to take the plunge on the book then I hope the Radiohead extract swings it. It is a good read.