THE BLACK CROWES' RICH ROBINSON Says STEVE GORMAN Was An 'Incredibly Negative And Manipulative Force' In The Band
THE BLACK CROWES guitarist Rich Robinson spoke to Long Island Weekly about his reunion with his brother Chris for a tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band's classic debut album, 1990's "Shake Your Money Maker". Joining Chris and Rich in the new BLACK CROWES lineup are returning bassist Sven Pipien, who played with the band live from 1997 up until the band's hiatus in 2015, along with Brian Griffin on drums, Joel Robinow on keyboards and Isaiah Mitchell on guitar, plus backup singers Mackenzie Adams and Leslie Grant.
Asked what was behind the decision to reform THE BLACK CROWES without founding member/drummer Steve Gorman, who penned 2019's memoir "Hard To Handle: The Life And Death Of The Black Crowes", Rich said: "Steve was one of the incredibly negative and manipulative forces in the band that we really didn't want to deal with. In order to get back, we really had to do this very specific purge where we focus on the two of us and let this be something that will be positive. We can be in charge of our own triggers, but if you have other people around that have an agenda, which a lot of the older people around did, it’s just going to crash and burn. We didn’t look at this as a one-time thing. We want to focus and do it right for ourselves as human beings. For ourselves as brothers. For ourselves as writing and creative partners as well as the other reasons."
In a February 2020 interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station, Gorman said that he was not surprised to see Chris and Rich teaming up with new musicians for a tour. "To me, it's been an inevitability for years," Steve said."I think they both made serious efforts to establish themselves in solo careers that could sustain them, that could provide a living, and I guess that neither one of those really worked out. And so they were always gonna need to be THE BLACK CROWES again. And this tour is an indication of the fact that, to them, they always were THE BLACK CROWES. And to me, THE BLACK CROWES was a band. It wasn't about their band; it was our band. It was six people, or it was five people, or it was four people, depending on the year, but it was always a much greater thing than two brothers who wrote the songs. The success of that band had a lot to do with a lot more than just them, is my point. And the thing that was most special about that band, as I said before, was what six people were able to do when we were on the same page."
Gorman went on to say that he doesn't necessarily fault the Robinson brothers for wanting to keep THE BLACK CROWES brand alive.
"This tour has nothing to do with me — it never did; it never would have," he explained. "THE BLACK CROWES are my past. Now, the music is still around. And if anybody goes to see this tour and decides that they love THE BLACK CROWES now, I think that's fantastic. I'm all for preserving the legacy of the band I was in. I think this tour has nothing to do with that. I think this tour is the two of them needing money. And to that I say — and that's fine. I know what it's like to be concerned about my finances; everybody does. And if you're in your 50s and you can make a living playing music, then, by God, you should be playing music, if that's what you wanna do. So, they're fully within their rights to do it — legally and ethically and morally; whatever. It's fine. It's got nothing to do with me. So, live and let live."
THE BLACK CROWES' rescheduled tour will kick off on July 20 and July 21 at Nashville's Ascend Amphitheatre and include 37 dates over a two-month period, concluding on September 25 at Bethel Woods in Bethel, New York.
When THE BLACK CROWES announced their split in 2014, Rich issued a statement saying that he loved his brother and respected his talent but that "his present demand that I must give up my equal share of the band and that our drummer for 28 years and original partner, Steve Gorman, relinquish 100 percent of his share … is not something I could agree to."
"Shake Your Money Maker" was re-released in multi-formats sets in February through UMe/American Recordings. The album, fueled by singles "Jealous Again", "Twice As Hard", "She Talks To Angels" and a cover of fellow Georgian Otis Redding's "Hard To Handle", has sold over five million copies.
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/the-black-crowes-are-working-on-new-music-with-shake-your-money-maker-producer-george-drakoulias-its-super-exciting/
THE BLACK CROWES Are Working On New Music With 'Shake Your Money Maker' Producer GEORGE DRAKOULIAS: 'It's Super Exciting'
THE BLACK CROWES' Chris and Rich Robinson have confirmed to the "Lipps Service With Scott Lipps" podcast that they have written a bunch of songs during their coronavirus downtime. They are once again working with George Drakoulias, the producer of their multi-platinum debut album, "Shake Your Money Maker", with hopes of releasing a new record in 2022.
"Yeah, Chris and I always write; in general, it's what we do," Rich told podcast host Scott Lipps. "And it keeps me sane in a day, to be able to write some songs. I have a studio here [at home], so to me, it was one of the things that kept everything going during this time that we had. To be able to send songs to Chris and have him send me stuff, and back and forth. And also working with George again for the first time has been great; it's been really cool."
In a separate interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Chris discussed the writing process for the new BLACK CROWES songs, saying: "We were sitting around during the pandemic, and Rich just started sending me stuff and two or three things turned into five or six things. That's just how we work. He has a little home studio, so he can send me rough sketches. I'm not that technologically advanced. I'm like with a pencil on an old piece of paper."
Chris went on to say that THE BLACK CROWES will focus on their upcoming tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of "Shake Your Money Maker" before resuming work on the new album.
"We just want to get as many songs as we can and we're working with George Drakoulias again, our producer, which has been fantastic," he said. "[He's] one of the real last of the great ears for the essence of these songs, what they can be, how they live. A great song lives outside of the time it's made. He has great vision that way. He understands our strong points as writers and our talent as musicians. So, it's super exciting. I know we're going to make a record. We could make one tomorrow. Again, our focus this whole time has just been the tour."
Joining Chris and Rich in the new BLACK CROWES lineup are returning bassist Sven Pipien, who played with the band live from 1997 up until the band's hiatus in 2015, along with Brian Griffin on drums, Joel Robinow on keyboards and Isaiah Mitchell on guitar, plus backup singers Mackenzie Adams and Leslie Grant.
THE BLACK CROWES' rescheduled tour will kick off on July 20 and July 21 at Nashville's Ascend Amphitheatre and include 37 dates over a two-month period, concluding on September 25 at Bethel Woods in Bethel, New York.
"Shake Your Money Maker" was re-released in multi-formats sets in February through UMe/American Recordings. The album, fueled by singles "Jealous Again", "Twice As Hard", "She Talks To Angels" and a cover of fellow Georgian Otis Redding's "Hard To Handle", has sold over five million copies.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
I was a Freshman in college when SYMM came out, this is "my" band as I was too young too see the original ABB. Chris always seemed the prima donna and Rich the 'cool' one. Loved Magpie Salute and some of Rich's solo work. It's a shame to see the true colors here... Both seem like jerks and this is a $$$ grab.
I've seen a lot of shows and their 2010 show in Columbus with Luther D. was the BEST live music I've ever seen. I won't pay to see this.
I was a Freshman in college when SYMM came out, this is "my" band as I was too young too see the original ABB. Chris always seemed the prima donna and Rich the 'cool' one. Loved Magpie Salute and some of Rich's solo work. It's a shame to see the true colors here... Both seem like jerks and this is a $$$ grab.
I've seen a lot of shows and their 2010 show in Columbus with Luther D. was the BEST live music I've ever seen. I won't pay to see this.
It will be interesting to see how this tour sells. I think they are shooting kinda high with the venues they have booked. Here in the Indy area they are playing a 25,000 seat outdoor shed. I don't expect them to sell out, but if they draw 10,000-12,000 I will be surprised. And I love the Crowes, but they are going out on they're only one big commercially selling release which was 30 plus yrs ago.
I always dug Rich's solo stuff and a HUGE fan of his guitar playing. After reading Gormans book, I dont know what to think. It was a very good read, and he seems to be a very honest,up front guy. I think he was giving an objective opinion on what he went through in that band. I just question RB coming out now , almost 2yrs later(after book release) and coming down on Gorman. They were in lockstep when Chris pulled that stuff in 2015.
It will be interesting to see how this collaboration works and bringing George Drakoulias back in. It looks they are trying to recapture some magic/chemistry.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Yup. With no recently releases and no new songs for the radio in 25+ yrs this will only appeal to the diehards, and I don't think the diehards are going to pay that much to see the Robinsons and a cover band.
Last time I saw them was Peach Fest with Jackie Greene and they were just 'okay'.
Interesting how Gorman talks understandingly of why the Robinson are going out as the Black Crows again. He seems to be sympathetic towards them for needing the income as their solo careers didn't do the trick but at the same time slamming them for going out as the Black Crows minus the rest of the original band for the money.
In their defense I suppose, Chris Robinson explained Steve Groman is an extremely negative and manipulative person, one they can't work with.
Their first album was good and a huge hit. Sold like the ABB's Brothers and Sisters. Million seller several times over. Too bad they couldn't keep it on the rails like so many other good bands.
Doubt I would pay good money to see the Robinson brothers without the rest of the original Crows. Price too steep for the lineup.
I think SYMM is one of the best debut albums in rock history. That being said, I fine it odd that the Robinsons are celebrating its anniversary without any of the original band except for them.
I did find Gorman's comment about finances interesting. They don't have enough money? Really?
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
Shake Your Money Maker released in 1989 sold over 5 million copies. A tremendous debut album for any band in history. The Allman Brothers Band didn't get an album that successful until it's 5th release in 1973. I was just looking at my CD copy of SYMM and somehow forgot Chuck Leavell is a guest artist on the album on organ and piano and Marc Ford wasn't on it. About a year after the release of the album they fired Jim Clease and offered his spot to Marc Ford. A bit early I think to start the revolving chairs. But Lynyrd Skynyrd had revolving chairs in their band from the beginning. Of course the first years of Skynyrd was controlled by one man, Ronnie Van Zant.
The second album by the Crows sold over two million. Same as Eat A Peach. And after that released the Crows didn't have huge selling albums.
According to Celebrity Net worth .com Chris Robinson's net worth is $9 million. Derek Trucks for comparison is $6 million. Derek isn't said to need to tour for the money.
Rich Robinson is listed at $6 million, same as Derek.
Keith Richards $500 million, Clapton $450 million, McCartney $1 billion 200 million, Dickey Betts $40 million for comparison.
BTW Dickey is worth more money than anyone in the ABB by a good margin. Not sure how that happened. Apparently writing royalties was much of it. Gregg Allman filed bankruptcy about 1983 so he kinda had to start over and was worth $18 million at his death.
Interesting how Gorman talks understandingly of why the Robinson are going out as the Black Crows again. He seems to be sympathetic towards them for needing the income as their solo careers didn't do the trick but at the same time slamming them for going out as the Black Crows minus the rest of the original band for the money.
In their defense I suppose, Chris Robinson explained Steve Groman is an extremely negative and manipulative person, one they can't work with.
Their first album was good and a huge hit. Sold like the ABB's Brothers and Sisters. Million seller several times over. Too bad they couldn't keep it on the rails like so many other good bands.
Doubt I would pay good money to see the Robinson brothers without the rest of the original Crows. Price too steep for the lineup.
who are you counting as the rest of the original crowes? by the mid 90's there were 3 guys in the band who didn't play on the very first album
@matt05 Yeah when I looked at my copy of SYMM earlier today I had forgotten Ford wasn't on it. I googled and the original guitarist was fired the next year and Ford replaced him. Also I had forgotten Chuck Leavell played organ and piano on SYMM as a guest artist. It has a number of guest artists on it.
First album sold over five million copies. I imagine the Crows were positive about the album breaking through but I doubt they expected that degree of success. 5 million is Pink Floyd or Rolling Stones territory!
Blues Traveler had one get knocked out of the park. Four in 1994 sold over 5 million copies. They had just that one huge album too. Warren Haynes plays on it.
The Allman Brothers had an album that big in 1973, Brothers and Sisters. According to Gregg, the ABB was surprised and really caught off guard to suddenly have an album to reach number one and stay there for over a month. Oddly in Gregg's book Gregg wrote he wasn't that impressed with Brothers and Sisters and was guessing it wouldn't do as well as Eat A Peach and At Fillmore East. Gregg was real happy with Laid Back and indeed it sold over 600,000 copies, his biggest solo album and earned a gold record but Brothers and Sisters sold over 5 million copies worldwide. By far the most for the ABB ever.
@matt05 Yeah when I looked at my copy of SYMM earlier today I had forgotten Ford wasn't on it. I googled and the original guitarist was fired the next year and Ford replaced him. Also I had forgotten Chuck Leavell played organ and piano on SYMM as a guest artist. It has a number of guest artists on it.
First album sold over five million copies. I imagine the Crows were positive about the album breaking through but I doubt they expected that degree of success. 5 million is Pink Floyd or Rolling Stones territory!
Blues Traveler had one get knocked out of the park. Four in 1994 sold over 5 million copies. They had just that one huge album too. Warren Haynes plays on it.
The Allman Brothers had an album that big in 1973, Brothers and Sisters. According to Gregg, the ABB was surprised and really caught off guard to suddenly have an album to reach number one and stay there for over a month. Oddly in Gregg's book Gregg wrote he wasn't that impressed with Brothers and Sisters and was guessing it wouldn't do as well as Eat A Peach and At Fillmore East. Gregg was real happy with Laid Back and indeed it sold over 600,000 copies, his biggest solo album and earned a gold record but Brothers and Sisters sold over 5 million copies worldwide. By far the most for the ABB ever.
yeah johnny colt and jeff cease were on SYMM and no eddie harsch on keyboards.
the 1990 touring lineup was the robinsons, colt, crease , gorman. by 1992 crease was gone and ford and harsch were in. heck by 1998 the band was the robinsons, gorman, harsch, freed and pipien.
thats why i think its silly people think its crazy its the robinsons, pipien and different guys for this tour because just from 1990-2000 the band had 4 different lineups
@matt05 Get your point. The Robinsons were pulling the strings just like Ronnie Van Zant was in Skynyrd up to the plane crash. So changes were made when those leaders decided to move.
ABB operated with each original member having a vote starting very early. But it was also rather clear Duane was the guy when necessary. Dickey said in an interview in the 2000s that they all knew it was Duane's band.
@matt05 Yeah when I looked at my copy of SYMM earlier today I had forgotten Ford wasn't on it. I googled and the original guitarist was fired the next year and Ford replaced him. Also I had forgotten Chuck Leavell played organ and piano on SYMM as a guest artist. It has a number of guest artists on it.
First album sold over five million copies. I imagine the Crows were positive about the album breaking through but I doubt they expected that degree of success. 5 million is Pink Floyd or Rolling Stones territory!
Blues Traveler had one get knocked out of the park. Four in 1994 sold over 5 million copies. They had just that one huge album too. Warren Haynes plays on it.
The Allman Brothers had an album that big in 1973, Brothers and Sisters. According to Gregg, the ABB was surprised and really caught off guard to suddenly have an album to reach number one and stay there for over a month. Oddly in Gregg's book Gregg wrote he wasn't that impressed with Brothers and Sisters and was guessing it wouldn't do as well as Eat A Peach and At Fillmore East. Gregg was real happy with Laid Back and indeed it sold over 600,000 copies, his biggest solo album and earned a gold record but Brothers and Sisters sold over 5 million copies worldwide. By far the most for the ABB ever.
yeah johnny colt and jeff cease were on SYMM and no eddie harsch on keyboards.
the 1990 touring lineup was the robinsons, colt, crease , gorman. by 1992 crease was gone and ford and harsch were in. heck by 1998 the band was the robinsons, gorman, harsch, freed and pipien.
thats why i think its silly people think its crazy its the robinsons, pipien and different guys for this tour because just from 1990-2000 the band had 4 different lineups
Matt,
For me, it's because most of the guys who made the original recordings are still available yet being intentionally excluded so the brothers can have a bigger piece of the $$$$. After Chris pulled his power play, Rich stood with the rest of the band....now that both brothers have had fizzling solo projects Gorman is problem. etc.
Who is being excluded other than Gorman? He was the only one who had some type of equal in pay to the Robinsons and his book burned bridges for sure. Any other guys brought in have been on salary for over 20 years
Lets look at other long tenured guys in the band
-Marc Ford- Wasn't on SYMM and didn't want to ever work with Chris again after 2006. Said Chris is bad for his sobriety. Sure he doesn't want to work with Rich anymore now after the magpie salute mess.
-Johhny Colt- Gone since 1997 and replaced by Sven who is on this tour so they have the longest tenured bass player ever in the band
-Jeff Cease- Works with Eric Church now and gets paid more than the Crowes would pay
-Eddie Harsch- passed away
so again I ask other than Gorman who are they missing because they have everyone that's had anything to do with the band that was long tenured minus Ford who left in 2006 never wanting to work with Chris again.
@lee evidently the way Rich ended things left a bad taste for Marc.
https://relix.com/articles/detail/spotlight-marc-ford/
Real shame that band imploded as I saw them twice and thought they put on an excellent show. Really enjoyed their albums and they did a nice job on the Crowes covers.
One show I went to in Rhode Island was in a small theater, Greenwich Odeum, that was maybe 1/2 full with a couple of hundred fans?, so not sure they had enough of a following to continue on and doubt they made much if any money touring so not surprised when Rich reconciled with Chris to do a Crowes tour.
Why was Magpie Salute a mess? I hadn't heard that.
I think what Matt was meaning that Rich bailed/ left that band right before they're second release was just about ready to come out to join his brother. I dont think Magpie was a mess, he just made a messy situation out of it by what he did. I have not head Mark,John,Sven mention anything on how that went down. Mark and Sven both were on a dedicated fan podcast about the BC's and it was never brought up.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Yes everyone the way the band ended was the mess I meant. I saw them twice and enjoyed the shows and I'm really shocked Sven doesn't mind working with Rich again but with Marc having issues already the last 15 years with wanting to work with Chris i'm sure we can add Rich to the list too.
Yes everyone the way the band ended was the mess I meant. I saw them twice and enjoyed the shows and I'm really shocked Sven doesn't mind working with Rich again but with Marc having issues already the last 15 years with wanting to work with Chris i'm sure we can add Rich to the list too.
Yeah...Marc might be done. I think I heard or read some place that Marc,John and Sven were working/doing something. I would be nice if they could use that name, but I think it was Rich's project band.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Past the diehards, doubtful that anyone really cares who's in The Black Crowes past Chris. It's his voice that makes the sound.
Past the diehards, doubtful that anyone really cares who's in The Black Crowes past Chris. It's his voice that makes the sound.
Possibly but I am not sure there are enough fans who still care about the Crowes to fill the sheds they booked this summer with or without Rich. They were lucky to fill theaters when they broke up in the past so not sure they have the fan base anymore especially at the prices they are charging this tour.
I mean the crowes didn't book the sheds, live nation did. I'm sure they'll give away a bunch of tickets or put them on groupon, why? Live nation gets a cut of food , alcohol and T shirt sales so more bodies there means more of that stuff will be sold
I think SYMM is one of the best debut albums in rock history. That being said, I fine it odd that the Robinsons are celebrating its anniversary without any of the original band except for them.
I did find Gorman's comment about finances interesting. They don't have enough money? Really?
Both Robinsons have had divorces that cut greatly into their finances and post Crowes bands that didn't make a lot of money or lost money.
Someone above posted a Celebrity Net Worth number for people, please never use those sites. They are never accurate. They are just making guesswork based on nothing concrete.
@matt05 Yeah when I looked at my copy of SYMM earlier today I had forgotten Ford wasn't on it. I googled and the original guitarist was fired the next year and Ford replaced him. Also I had forgotten Chuck Leavell played organ and piano on SYMM as a guest artist. It has a number of guest artists on it.
First album sold over five million copies. I imagine the Crows were positive about the album breaking through but I doubt they expected that degree of success. 5 million is Pink Floyd or Rolling Stones territory!
Blues Traveler had one get knocked out of the park. Four in 1994 sold over 5 million copies. They had just that one huge album too. Warren Haynes plays on it.
The Allman Brothers had an album that big in 1973, Brothers and Sisters. According to Gregg, the ABB was surprised and really caught off guard to suddenly have an album to reach number one and stay there for over a month. Oddly in Gregg's book Gregg wrote he wasn't that impressed with Brothers and Sisters and was guessing it wouldn't do as well as Eat A Peach and At Fillmore East. Gregg was real happy with Laid Back and indeed it sold over 600,000 copies, his biggest solo album and earned a gold record but Brothers and Sisters sold over 5 million copies worldwide. By far the most for the ABB ever.
yeah johnny colt and jeff cease were on SYMM and no eddie harsch on keyboards.
the 1990 touring lineup was the robinsons, colt, crease , gorman. by 1992 crease was gone and ford and harsch were in. heck by 1998 the band was the robinsons, gorman, harsch, freed and pipien.
thats why i think its silly people think its crazy its the robinsons, pipien and different guys for this tour because just from 1990-2000 the band had 4 different lineups
Yeah, but it's also like if the Allman Brothers band ended in 1982 after some fluctuating lineup changes, then came back in 1989 with Gregg, Dickey and 4 other semi-unknowns as the Allman Brothers when there were plenty of former members who made great music who the fans love who weren't a part of it. Then after a couple of shows made two changes and brought back Dan Toler. It would cause some frustration among the ABB faithful as well.
Why was Magpie Salute a mess? I hadn't heard that.
I think what Matt was meaning that Rich bailed/ left that band right before they're second release was just about ready to come out to join his brother. I dont think Magpie was a mess, he just made a messy situation out of it by what he did. I have not head Mark,John,Sven mention anything on how that went down. Mark and Sven both were on a dedicated fan podcast about the BC's and it was never brought up.
Marc has said Rich never told them the band broke up and Rich changed his phone number so when people called him about it they couldn't reach him. Rich broke up the band and never told the band that it was over right before High Water II came out.
Yes everyone the way the band ended was the mess I meant. I saw them twice and enjoyed the shows and I'm really shocked Sven doesn't mind working with Rich again but with Marc having issues already the last 15 years with wanting to work with Chris i'm sure we can add Rich to the list too.
Sven is such an easy going nice guy. He was on the State Of Amorica podcast earlier this year before he rejoined the band and you could tell he was devastated about the end of Magpie and about not being invited to be back in the Crowes at the time.
@matt05 Yeah when I looked at my copy of SYMM earlier today I had forgotten Ford wasn't on it. I googled and the original guitarist was fired the next year and Ford replaced him. Also I had forgotten Chuck Leavell played organ and piano on SYMM as a guest artist. It has a number of guest artists on it.
First album sold over five million copies. I imagine the Crows were positive about the album breaking through but I doubt they expected that degree of success. 5 million is Pink Floyd or Rolling Stones territory!
Blues Traveler had one get knocked out of the park. Four in 1994 sold over 5 million copies. They had just that one huge album too. Warren Haynes plays on it.
The Allman Brothers had an album that big in 1973, Brothers and Sisters. According to Gregg, the ABB was surprised and really caught off guard to suddenly have an album to reach number one and stay there for over a month. Oddly in Gregg's book Gregg wrote he wasn't that impressed with Brothers and Sisters and was guessing it wouldn't do as well as Eat A Peach and At Fillmore East. Gregg was real happy with Laid Back and indeed it sold over 600,000 copies, his biggest solo album and earned a gold record but Brothers and Sisters sold over 5 million copies worldwide. By far the most for the ABB ever.
yeah johnny colt and jeff cease were on SYMM and no eddie harsch on keyboards.
the 1990 touring lineup was the robinsons, colt, crease , gorman. by 1992 crease was gone and ford and harsch were in. heck by 1998 the band was the robinsons, gorman, harsch, freed and pipien.
thats why i think its silly people think its crazy its the robinsons, pipien and different guys for this tour because just from 1990-2000 the band had 4 different lineups
Yeah, but it's also like if the Allman Brothers band ended in 1982 after some fluctuating lineup changes, then came back in 1989 with Gregg, Dickey and 4 other semi-unknowns as the Allman Brothers when there were plenty of former members who made great music who the fans love who weren't a part of it. Then after a couple of shows made two changes and brought back Dan Toler. It would cause some frustration among the ABB faithful as well.
i guess it depends, did butch trucks spend 2 years prior to that bashing gregg and dickey? like i said there is literally no former member that anyone cares about thats not on this tour that would work with the robinsons again. gorman and ford are never going to work with them again. thats it for people care about so what should they do?
@matt05 Yeah when I looked at my copy of SYMM earlier today I had forgotten Ford wasn't on it. I googled and the original guitarist was fired the next year and Ford replaced him. Also I had forgotten Chuck Leavell played organ and piano on SYMM as a guest artist. It has a number of guest artists on it.
First album sold over five million copies. I imagine the Crows were positive about the album breaking through but I doubt they expected that degree of success. 5 million is Pink Floyd or Rolling Stones territory!
Blues Traveler had one get knocked out of the park. Four in 1994 sold over 5 million copies. They had just that one huge album too. Warren Haynes plays on it.
The Allman Brothers had an album that big in 1973, Brothers and Sisters. According to Gregg, the ABB was surprised and really caught off guard to suddenly have an album to reach number one and stay there for over a month. Oddly in Gregg's book Gregg wrote he wasn't that impressed with Brothers and Sisters and was guessing it wouldn't do as well as Eat A Peach and At Fillmore East. Gregg was real happy with Laid Back and indeed it sold over 600,000 copies, his biggest solo album and earned a gold record but Brothers and Sisters sold over 5 million copies worldwide. By far the most for the ABB ever.
yeah johnny colt and jeff cease were on SYMM and no eddie harsch on keyboards.
the 1990 touring lineup was the robinsons, colt, crease , gorman. by 1992 crease was gone and ford and harsch were in. heck by 1998 the band was the robinsons, gorman, harsch, freed and pipien.
thats why i think its silly people think its crazy its the robinsons, pipien and different guys for this tour because just from 1990-2000 the band had 4 different lineups
Yeah, but it's also like if the Allman Brothers band ended in 1982 after some fluctuating lineup changes, then came back in 1989 with Gregg, Dickey and 4 other semi-unknowns as the Allman Brothers when there were plenty of former members who made great music who the fans love who weren't a part of it. Then after a couple of shows made two changes and brought back Dan Toler. It would cause some frustration among the ABB faithful as well.
i guess it depends, did butch trucks spend 2 years prior to that bashing gregg and dickey? like i said there is literally no former member that anyone cares about thats not on this tour that would work with the robinsons again. gorman and ford are never going to work with them again. thats it for people care about so what should they do?
To your 1st question, Butch probably did bash them when they were apart. He apparently did his far share of it when they were together but he didn't have a book tour where he was getting asked questions in public and then it broadcast out to the world.
They could have attempted to be adults and reconcile the differences. Not make it so obvious that they just want all of the money for themselves. I'm stunned that Rich would work with his brother again after Chris tried to get him to give up part of his % of the band to do the 25th anniversary tour.
Fans can be mad that it came to this, that differences couldn't be worked out or even attempted to be worked out for one final farewell at the 25th anniversary, much less this 30th. I think once Chris and Rich started out over a year ago saying "we can't have former members because that would cause all of the old issues to come up" it made the fans feel like they weren't taking any responsibility for any of the things they did to cause the band's lineup changes over the years.
@wareaglerk Celebrity Net Worth is rather accurate. I've crossed checked their figures on several famous people with articles and wikipedia pages about their careers and the numbers are similar.
But I do admit the Chris Robinson number seems low for a man that wrote so many songs on a 5 million copies selling album then the next one selling over two million. At $10 million, Chris isn't worth that much more than Derek Trucks who is listed at $6 million. I'm not sure how Derek is worth $6 million. Has to be being in the Allman Brothers for 15 years. TTB hasn't had any albums that have sold over a million copies. And Derek isn't a prolific song writer.
Entertainment Tonight reported on Paul McCartney being the richest singer, song writer in history with a net worth of over $1 Billion. And artists such as David Gilmore, Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have to be worth $400 and $500 millions dollars.
And Dickey Betts is the richest Allman Brother. His big mansion in Florida in a gated community with swimming pool, boat dock etc is likely worth $8 to $10 million. Plus shortly after the fax Gregg told the press "This is not about fighting over money. Dickey is trying to make it look like a @#$&+-$# divorce. We all can retire right now and Dickey has made more money than the rest of us so this ain't about cutting anybody out of their share". And Butch complained on this site about Dickey making so much money hogging song writing royalties. That several ABB albums have "filler" songs on them that Dickey forced on the records so he could make more money. Then Butch gave an example. In 1994 the band wanted to do Rocking Horse but Dickey threw a fit and made us do Mean Woman Blues for the album in 1994. So Rocking Horse because of Dickey was bumped for Mean Woman Blues and Rocking Horse is a much better song.
Funny story from Chris Robinson during a 2017 interview with Howard Stern about meeting Gregg Allman. The Gregg story starts at 1:26 into the interview.
So I get an e-mail from Ticketmaster for $20 lawn tickets. I might go to the show near me as prices seem to be starting to drop. Looks like the promoter realized he wasn;t selling those better seats at the prices he was asking. I will wait a little longer and see if they drop some more and then may grab a couple of tickets.
