5 times, asked my wife (girlfriend then) to marry me at Red Rocks. They sound unbelievable in Red Rocks. And while we were there we saw Black Crows, Driveby Truckers, Robert Randolph, and The James Gang. Life changing weekend.
Clarification: 5 times I have heard them live, and 1 time (Red Rocks) I knew that she was "the one". We haven't been apart for more than a night or two since that summer.
I find it really strange how little people talk about the Black Crowes when discussing the great bands of the last few decades. They were never part of a hip scene but they produced some of the very best rock albums of their era.
@@jaytee1086 I think the difference with those other bands and why theyre thought of as better than the black crows is because they were part of big musical shifts and were central to that movement. BC play good rock n roll music and are a true live band but they weren’t innovative.
Steve Gorman is a tremendous talent! Highly intelligent across the board both in his drumming and in his speaking here about creativity. He is greatly underrated. A major, major talent!
Absolutely. Such an underrated musician/creative talent. Seems like such a down to earth, nice guy, good sense of humor. Exactly what the Black Crowe’s need in the band & between the brothers, it seems. Shame he’s not a part of the reunion.p
Let’s not forget, he basically learned to play the drums for the gig, because they were all, in the beginning, friends. The BC without Steve and at least one of their many talented bass players and keyboardists from 20 plus years ago? That’s not the BC - it’s just the Robinson Bros PLAYING the songs of the BC.
@@malcolmbliss777 I totally agree! I only got to see them in person once back in 1992. They levitated that entire indoor venue with 9,000 people.Just supernal to experience!
@@marktwain5232 Steve Gorman was at best an entry level drummer when he got involved with Chris & Rich. The band was having such a hard time finding and keeping drummers, they talked SG into learning how to play. The band grew along with him those first 10 years to such a degree, you just can’t compare what the Robinson Bros are doing now and what they accomplished with SG. Apples and oranges. Is it nostalgic to revisit the songs of your youth? You bet. But what they’re doing now is on par with a BC tribute band. This is NOT the Black Crowes. This is the Diet Black Crowes. Black Crowes Lite. Black Crowes 2.0 - but it’s not Steve Gorman’s Black Crowes. Which is actually something would will never see. Because, I believe, Steve Gorman realizes, unlike Chris & Rich, you just can’t go back home again. And here’s the kicker: those two nitwits have literally broken each other’s cheek bones. They could patch things up between the two, but not even CONTACT Steve over a reunion tour? No. HELL no. The BC touring now are yesteryear act for the kiddies. They’re probably having 12 step meetings on the tour bus after shows. Fakk that. It’s something: it’s a LOT of things… But it sure as hell ain’t rock ‘n roll.
They really arent bro. You hit it on the head with a clown mallet. Just like when Marc Ford and Eddie Harsch got switched with Luther Dickinson and Adam from CRB. I caught them at The Palms in Vegas for that tour and when they took the stage and started going in, Im like wait a fuckin min. Somethin is off. The show was decent. But not The Black Crowes that own a piece of my heart show. I was really lucky and was at the 1 of the 2 shows at The Joint in Vegas 10/15/05. And thats the real deal line up. Eddie. Marc and Rich. Chris, Pipien on bass Steve laying it the fuck down. Mona and Laura with that soul backing vocal. Freak and Roll into the Fog happened a few weeks later. They call it The Freak and Roll show on the CD i copped from the 14th. I was so hurt to hear how Chris flipped shit and ruined my chances of seeing one of my top 3 groups of all time. It was just as bad as when we lost Leroi as a die hard DMB fan. Caught Magpie Salute tho in San Antonio and breh they killed it. Sounded absolutely amazing. I figured that was gonna be the only way to get Crowes tracks live and now we have the fuckery. Im in ATX. And Im going when they finally get here. But Im not getting my hopes up. Tbh Im looking more forwArd to the brothers of a feather shows were suppose to get at Antones here. Guess well see how it goes. But itll never be the same now. R.I.P. ;/
I absolutely LOVE Steve. .he's an amazing person.. SG is a Black Crowe and will ALWAYS will be. Hopefully, the brothers will someday do right by Steve and do one more REAL TBC show
This guy seems really logical and norma. That's probably why he wasn't included in the Black Crowes "reunion". My guess is that he saved some money and doesn't need the drama that will inevitably ensue.
So that's why he's going on the radio all the time to sell his book??? Cuz he doesn't need anyone to know he was the drummer for the crowes? C'mon man use your brain, think man think.... it's all about money....everything is money! This is America jack...$$$
They’d have to give him and Marc Ford a proper share. This is about money. So they bring in mainly sidemen, who will get paid by the gig, or be on a wage, but won’t get a share of the profits.
Steve is one of my drumming influences. The Crowes' music helped me changed my drumming style and musical taste. It made me go deeper into the blues and jazz and funk. Thank you Steve. The coolest drummer!
@Cale Hodgson Sounds like you don’t know much at all about drumming or what a good rhythm section in a rock band is. That’s what gave the Black Crowes their swing.
I can never sleep through the night. Steve Gorman Rocks is syndicated on the KATT in OKC from 11PM to 3AM. So I get to hear him almost every night. Great format, cool egg. tbh, did not know that he was the drummer for the Black Crowes until I did some research. big fan
When I heard Southern Harmony and Musical Companion back in 92 it was such a groove oriented album. It was such a welcome departure from what was on the airwaves at the time. A real classic rock album that stands the test of time till today. I love how Steve plays for the song a la Ringo. His playing really served the songs and did it beautifully yet always remained the solid foundation. Saw a video with Marc Ford recently, that band was truly the sum of all these great parts. The Black Crowes were not just the Robinson brothers but all of these great musicians. Reading Steve’s book made me sad to see how volatile egos derailed what was a really great band. Thanks for the music Steve, just downloaded Trigger Hippy and will be checking that out over the Christmas season.
Many drummers are afraid to give Ringo his just desserts bc it's not chic to do so, NOT Steve, kudos to him. Mr Steve Gorman has the character/guts to speak the truth regardless of how unpopular his opinion may be.
Steve mentioned Spencer Collum- great player who was a member of a band called Deadstring Brothers. Look them up - really good band kind of Stones Exile period with a country feel.
I read the itunes sample of the preface and chapters 1 and 2 in about 30 minutes. Then realized there was an audio book version i could get for free where Steve read it to me. Finished it in a few days. Great stories!
John 4.5 that’s a great deal. I actually bought it on Apple Books. One of the best rock bocks ever. And your right. Him reading it added to the experience. He’s passionate
I was an intern briefly at that A&M office in '88 in the mailroom. Got the gig when I was a student at the Art Institute of Atlanta in the music program. My car died though so my transportation problem ended the gig.
As much as I love a lot of the songs he wrote, I have to say that Chris Robinson was the main cause of The Black Crowes' decline and eventual demise. And I say this without having read Steve's book. I think it's plain to see in the band's trajectory. Take By Your Side, for example. It's a good album. Rich wrote some really great music for it. But the lyrics aren't there. And I bet you that's because, aside from Rich himself perhaps, no one could face Chris and say "This is not good enough. You can write better stuff than this." There wasn't a George Drakoulias there to do it, like in their early days. Chris' mediocre work had to make the cut like his good stuff, and even the most loyal fans (like myself) are not blind to that. In Lions the music started getting sloppy as well and there you could see the band's clock was ticking, aside from all the drama that came later.
Actually it's not! Like any BC album, it sounds good and is well performed but the catchy songs and melodies aren't there. Moneymaker, Southern Harmony and By Your Side are far better albums.
@@doccthomas9842 Indeed, Wiser Time is a good song but it doesn't elevate Amorica to the level of the other three albums. It is just one song. And just because the other three albums may have "catchier" songs, I'm not sure why you imply that that is a detraction.
It's Ringo and Bonham for me as well, and he describes why that is for him so well. Too many dismiss Ringo because it's old and 'The Beatles' but if you are fan of how a song is constructed, and admire musicians who play for the song and not a lead or their own ego, Ringo is it. Such a simple kit yet so many amazingly unique creations. And his statement on Moon is perfect. He makes sense in one band.
absolutely love listening to this guy, I could listen all day , he is a fantastic sports analyst as well as a great music person, black crowes are not the same with out him
Interesting. There are many moments within their songs when they hit a groove that just kills. To me, that always defined the band. I think his drumming resembles Ritchie Hayward.
Steve is a rhythm machine. The Hayward comparison would make him happy I'm sure. The book is fantastic. Real eye opener about the Brothers dysfunctionality..always knew Chris was fucked up but not so much Rich..disappointed to learn about that side of him. The REAL Crowes 92-97 will always be #1 for me. No 2019-20 crowes for me-thanks anyway.
The drumming on the Black Crowes Album with Jimmie Page playing Led Zepplin songs is some of the best drumming every recorded. Need to check out Trigger Hippie.
Wow I'm the first commenter - PRESSURE!!! Ok, let me say I'm a drummer and I've been a big Steve Gorman fan since the beginning. Just getting ready to start reading his book. Steve, thanks for the swinging grooves and the decades long master-class in how to play songs with originality and intention. And with that broadcast-ready voice, you belong behind a mic as you are doing with Fox Sports!!! I also gotta say, I just heard the Howard-Crowes new tracks, and they sound GREAT. I hope the drummer they hired dosen't take too much shite - he's a swinging player (I couldn't catch his name).
And he loves to hear himself speak obviously hahaha! I am likely the only person who thinks the book is TACKY...you were there Mr Gorman. As much as I love your bass drum. (A pun on the 91 Moscow show). BC were and are always will be one of the best assholes or not! Bands are dysfunctional families ALWAYS. Peace brothers n sisters
Those drums are as much the Crowes as Chris’ voice and Rich’s guitar. Swap anything else out. It may not have quite the groove without Colt or be as incendiary without Ford, but its still them with Chris, Rich, and Steve. Ed, Adam, and Leavel all did great on keys.
I feel like for Chris and Rich for making the decision of not including Steve in their upcoming tour would hurt their legacy for themselves. I mean look at all the great PR that the Black Crowes would benefit with Steve on board. Cutting Steve out is not making Chris and Rich any better off due to so many loyal fans that won't go to see them because it wouldn't be the original group. Although we lost Eddie Harsch back in 16 and that can't be helped, but keeping the group as pure as you could is in best interest for everyone. It's sad that the group could've ended their legacy properly before losing Eddie. It's like someone coming to me and say hey, I have two cars that you have a choice to have, a 1994 GTO or a 1964? Of course, I'm gonna take the 64 and that's the difference to me here with this scenario of not keeping this group as original as possible.
He's right about Ringo and Bonham. It's all about feel. That's why GNR was never as good without Adler and ACDC were never as good without Rudd, Sting without Copeland and others.
Seems that in the last 20 years, Ringo has somehow become so amazing? I'm not a drummer but for years Ringo seemed to never get any credit? I'd like to hear an interview from 25 years ago where this dude said Ringo was so great. Anyone who can direct me to any such interviews I'd appreciate it so I can understand more.
You Joker same way Keanu Reeves is awesome now. Everyone mocked Ringo’s “simple” playing as if he was the Bobby Blotzer of Ratt for the Beatles rather than giving him any credit. Time changed all that. Keanu was mocked for his wooden acting and surfer personas and well; Hollywood was revealed to be so sleazy it makes us forget Keanu wasn’t the best actor and appreciate he wasn’t pure trash. Now is Ringo the best drummer and Keanu the best actor? Of course not but we’ve come to appreciate some things from the supposed people who didn’t belong as stars but now we realize they’re actually better than credited and better people to boot. Combo of that PLUS the always hip deal of “I play with taste” that many drummers and bassists sling as a way to upsell their chops while not playing the more challenging pieces. Not all. Nor is that necessarily true but again how it’s been. Now drummers and bassists appreciate not overplaying more than ever because it’s been a cacophonous din of wanking for so long. We appreciate the simplicity of Hank Jr when faced with Florida Georgia Line. We do the same with everything else and that which we once chalked up to “technically they aren’t that good” is now understood to be pretty damned good and something to look to again. Lots of guys with drum kits bigger than Freaks and Geeks’ Nick have now switched from Peart only to appreciating Ringo as he long deserved. In my opinion. Fuck it. Everyone may switch it up in a year.
Used to be my favorite band. Saw em so many times, including their first tour. And I have to agree with you after how they've handled their band, .....they both suck as people.
Finished the book in a little over 2 days. Great read. BC's fan from the get-go, but the Robinson Brothers seem to be such cunts. So glad Mr. Gorman made it through the experience intact. What an amazingly lucid and pragmatic guy.
Chris may have had some issues at the time, but he'd do well to apologize and make up with Steve who he was in band with for 27 years. Life is too short for that kind of shit.
24:54 In the era of satellite radio and podcasts where anything goes, I guess Steve forgot that you still can't drop the "F-Bomb" on terrestrial radio.
Getting punched in the face before they go on stage lol..my aunt uncle and cousins were crazy just like the brothers always fighting...I hated going over there ..hahahahahah great interview
They should have just called it Brothers of a Feather again! To many people, Steve is just another replaceable drummer. Those people clearly just don't get it. Those drum parts wouldn't necessarily have been the same without him so there's a good possibility that those songs would never have been driven the way they were or had the groove that they did that made people catch on in the first place. Great drummers are remembered and talked about. Steve is one of those. Listen to any number of Black Crowes tracks. Take a good listen to Virtue and vice or horse head and listen to that drum sound. That's thunder. If you really are a Black Crowes fan then you'll notice the difference on the live stuff they just did in New York and LA versus anything The Black Crowes did with Gorman. if you don't hear it. good for you. For the rest of us it's like taking Charlie Watts out of the Stones. Gorman is far more intelligent than those guys anyway he's better off and intelligent enough to have a career outside of the brothers. I don't see them having the same versatility.
@@unhingedsoulcollector8501 i can see where u come from, and i'm all about steves drumming, but it's pretty unfair to out him as irreplaceable since there are some really god damned superb players, as well as drummers with as much groove as Steve. Look at neal casal or isiah Mitchel, they are every bit as much of a crowes axeman as Marc Ford, and isiah does it great currently. And yes, steves groove is really one of a kind, but a good grooving drummer can make the songs justice, and by what i heard on Howard stern show, jealous again just kills with the new drummer, no gorman signature groove on it, but still grooving all the way. And like him ir not, Chris voice is what glues all the musicianship Even when he fails, Chris may be whatever u want, but hes got a great groove like soul singers do, and thats great for a hard rock singer. God bless Steve, but let the crowes do their thing, new line up is freaking tight and actually versatile if u ask me.
@@nathaninostroza7581 Hello Nathan. I hear what your saying. The new lineup may groove. In retrospect. Possibly I came off a little harsh. I hope they do well. I may check out the show. Yes. There are a lot of great drummers out there. I myself have had the opportunity to work with a few. Gorman however is a very unique sound. Self taught guys usually have a particular sound and attack. Ive got that sound imprinted in my head on a lot of those B.C songs. It's not just the stright songs though. When they go off on a jam. I love the direction Steve goes. It's very organic and that part is gone because it can't follow that path with different players. The jams Hopefully will be good in another direction with this new band. It's sound like there won't be a lot of that on this tour if they are doing the album and assorted hits. Its hard for me personally to move backward from a hard hitting drummer. The real drag of it all is this would be( if you believe The brothers) all personal issues with the guys. I'm not saying it's all C&Rs fault. It's a bummer that everyone except for Eddie is still alive and well but the whole lineup is scrapped. I've heard some utube vids of the first L.A show. Strutting blues was awsome. I definitely miss Steve's sound and timekeep however. You can clearly replace a member of a band and move on. The Crowes have changed guitar/bass players like sparkplugs over the years. Some peeps are easier to replace than others. It's just how I hear it. Mabe my opinion will change with new material but I my preference will most likely always be with Steve on the old stuff. I would have said the same thing if The Allman Brothers had replace Butch Truck and Jamoe. Theirs just a certain chemistry to what has passed. The brothers have every right to move forward. I actually hope they change my mind about all this lineup change.
@@unhingedsoulcollector8501 also i don't think gormans right on everything, if he went out with a stand mis finger of a book and the antagonists are Robinson Bros all the way, i doubt very much of the stories told on it... I seriously don't believe that rich pissed page off, don't think that s true, i'm a guitarist myself, and bet gorman doesnt think like one, and rich said that would be the dumbest idea from a guitarist to an influential one like page... And after all, everybodys in tbc for the money since shake your money maker hit big, so the book doesnt impress me at all, that being said, not yo justify Chris demeanor per se. And yes, gormans drumming isnt easily yo put aside from a real listener outlook leaving fanboy shit aside. But if Chris is in the boat, i'm in also. Gormans talent is rare, to find a soul singers with the Steve Marriott attitude, thats even more rare.
@@nathaninostroza7581like I said if you believe the brothers or Gorman. You and I know their is finger pointing on both sides. Whatever! No point taking bout broken shit ya can't fix. Your point on Chris's voice is excellent . I admit that is key. On that level. I'm glad the bros are reunited cause I really tried but could not follow the majority of His solo work. Without doubt those two are best together. I'm just glad they figured it out. Nice call on Steve Marriott. Loved that guy. What a tragic end.
My favorite band of all time, they sounds like a train wreck of dysfunction. Unfortunately that seems to be the norm in the music biz, let alone when family is evolved. They still are my favorite even so.
Ray and Dave Davies exactly!! Seen Ray throw a beer at Dave in NYC 70ish little place they left came back 25 min later played Lola low budget then left
I bet this book will affect the ticket sales for the forthcomming tour of Black crowes. I am fan of their albums (really,i love even FOUR SNAKES and LIONS) but the NOW SITUATION makes my interest fade, and fade...just a nostalgia act