The Black Crowes are an American Southern rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. Originally formed by brothers Chris (lead vocals) and Rich Robinson (guitar) in 1984 as Mr Crowe's Garden, the group went through a series of early personnel changes before settling on a lineup including guitarist Jeff Cease, bassist Johnny Colt and drummer Steve Gorman in 1989. The current lineup of the band, which reformed in November 2019 after a very public breakup in 2015, includes the Robinson brothers and currently features new members Nico Bereciartua (guitar), Cully Symington (drums), Erik Deutsch (keyboards), and Mark "Muddy" Dutton (bass).

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. Early members included Keith Joyner (bass), Jeff Sullivan (drums), and Ted Selke (bass). By 1989, the group had been renamed the Black Crowes and featured guitarist Jeff Cease, bassist Johnny Colt and drummer Steve Gorman. 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. Eddie Harsch was added as the band's first keyboardist the following year. After three more studio albums, Ford was dismissed in August 1997 due to heroin addiction, before Colt left shortly thereafter in October.

Colt was replaced by Sven Pipien for By Your Side, on which all guitars were performed by Rich Robinson. Audley Freed joined as a touring guitarist for shows starting in June 1998. 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. Rzab had left by the end of the year, and Rich Robinson played bass on the 2001 release Lions. Andy Hess took over Rzab's vacated position once the album was recorded, debuting in February 2001. After a final tour which spawned a live release simply titled Live, Gorman left the Black Crowes in December 2001 and the remaining members announced the band's "indefinite hiatus" the following month.

Steve Gorman was a member of Mr. Crowes Garden...before they were named the Black Crowes Google

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. Within two months, Gorman had returned as the band's drummer. 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. Just over a week later, Ford also left the band citing "health reasons", with Paul Stacey taking his place for upcoming tour dates. Clores was dismissed and replaced by Adam MacDougall in July 2007, and in November Luther Dickinson joined as second guitarist, after having performed on Warpaint. After a final tour, the band went on "indefinite hiatus" again in July 2011.

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. 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.

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, guitarist Isaiah Mitchell, bassist Tim Lefebvre, drummer Raj Ojha and keyboardist Joel Robinow. This lineup would completely change before the tour was completed, except Chris and Rich Robinson who remain the only original members.

As of March 2026, The Black Crowes lineup is:

Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Nico Bereciartua – guitar, backing vocals Mark "Muddy" Dutton – bass, backing vocals Cully Symington – drums Erik Deutsch – keyboards, backing vocals

Members Current ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsChris Robinsonall Black Crowes releasesRich RobinsonErik Deutsch2022–present Nico Bereciartua2023–present guitarnoneCully SymingtondrumsA Pound of Feathers (2026)Mark "Muddy" Dutton2026–present none

Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsSteve Gormanall Black Crowes releases from Shake Your Money Maker (1990) to Wiser for the Time (2013)Johnny Colt1989–1997bassJeff Cease1989–1991guitarShake Your Money Maker (1990)Marc FordEddie Harschall Black Crowes releases from The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion (1992) to The Lost Crowes (2006)Sven PipienAudley Freed1998–2002 guitarGreg Rzab2000bassLive at Jones Beach (EP/2000) w/Jimmy PageAndy Hess2001–2002Live (2002)Bill Dobrow2005drumsnone Rob Clores2006–2007keyboardsPaul StaceyguitarAdam MacDougallall Black Crowes releases from Warpaint (2008) to Wiser for the Time (2013)Luther Dickinson2007–2011Jackie Greene2012–2015none Isaiah Mitchell2019–2023 Joel Robinow2019–2022 Raj Kumar Ojha2019–2020 drumsnone Tim LefebvrebassBrian Griffin2021–2023 drums

Timeline

Lineups PeriodMembersReleasesLate 1989 – November 1991Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Jeff Cease – guitar Johnny Colt – bass Steve Gorman – drums, percussionShake Your Money Maker (1990)November 1991 – August 1997Chris 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, pianoThe Southern Harmony andMusical Companion (1992) Amorica (1994) Three Snakes and One Charm (1996) Sho' Nuff Live (1998) The Lost Crowes (2006)August – October 1997Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Johnny Colt – bass Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Eddie Harsch – keyboards, pianononeDecember 1997 – June 1998Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Eddie Harsch – keyboards, pianoBy Your Side (1999)June 1998 – May 2000Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Audley Freed – guitar Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Eddie Harsch – keyboards, pianoLive at the Greek (2000) May – December 2000Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Audley Freed – guitar Greg Rzab – bass Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Eddie Harsch – keyboards, pianononeJanuary – February 2001Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, bass, backing vocals Audley Freed – guitar Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Eddie Harsch – keyboards, pianoLions (2001)February – December 2001Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Audley Freed – guitar Andy Hess – bass Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Eddie Harsch – keyboards, pianoLive (2002)December 2001 – January 2002Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Audley Freed – guitar Andy Hess – bass Eddie Harsch – keyboards, pianononeBand inactive January 2002 – March 2005March – May 2005Chris 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, pianononeMay 2005 – August 2006Chris 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, pianoFreak 'n' Roll... Into the Fog: TheBlack Crowes All Join Hands, TheFillmore, San Francisco (2006)August – September 2006Chris 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 – keyboardsnoneSeptember 2006 – July 2007Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Paul Stacey – guitar Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Rob Clores – keyboardsJuly – November 2007Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Paul Stacey – guitar Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Steve Gorman – drums, percussion Adam MacDougall – keyboards, backing vocalsNovember 2007 – July 2011Chris 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 vocalsWarpaint (2008) Warpaint Live (2009) Before the Frost... Until the Freeze (2009) Croweology (2010) Wiser for the Time (2013)Band inactive July 2011 – December 2012December 2012 – January 2015Chris 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 vocalsnoneBand inactive January 2015 – November 2019November 2019 – 2021Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Isaiah Mitchell – guitar, backing vocals Tim Lefebvre – bass Raj Kumar Ojha – drums Joel Robinow – keyboards, backing vocals none2021–2022Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Isaiah Mitchell – guitar, backing vocals Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Brian Griffin – drums, Joel Robinow – keyboards, backing vocals 1972 (2022) Shake Your Moneymaker Live (2023)2022–2023Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Isaiah Mitchell – guitar, backing vocals Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Brian Griffin – drums Erik Deutsch – keyboards, backing vocals none2023Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Nico Bereciartua – guitar, backing vocals Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Brian Griffin – drums Erik Deutsch – keyboards, backing vocals Happiness Bastards (2024)2023–2025Chris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Nico Bereciartua – guitar, backing vocals Sven Pipien – bass, backing vocals Cully Symington – drums Erik Deutsch – keyboards, backing vocals none2026–presentChris Robinson – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar Rich Robinson – guitar, backing vocals Nico Bereciartua – guitar, backing vocals Mark "Muddy" Dutton – bass, backing vocals Cully Symington – drums Erik Deutsch – keyboards, backing vocals A Pound of Feathers (2026)

References

External links The Black Crowes official website