In 1991, The Black Crowes had the opportunity to join ZZ Top on tour to support their first album ‘Recycler.’ Everything almost went well until they got fired from the tour. It was initially thought that they were fired by ZZ Top. The Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson did not know about that, though. Here is what to know about the incident.
What Caused The Black Crowes to Get Fired?
The initial plan for The Black Crowes was to support ZZ Top’s January 1991 tour and continue until May. The band, however, was removed from the tour halfway through by stating that their departure had more to do with business matters than with their music. The planned three-night homecoming event was cut short for The Black Crowes, and the band was removed after two nights.
The ZZ Top manager Bill Ham was blamed by both Chris and Rich Robinson for ‘being mad’ at the comments Chris made about ZZ Top using corporate sponsors on their tour, despite being already warned beforehand to not make any harsh comments. Chris was especially warned to not say anything against Miller Brewing and Lone Wolf Productions.
What Did Chris Robinson Say About the Incident?
Following their dismissal from the tour, the band appeared in an interview to discuss the matter. It seems that Chri Robinson felt like the band was being censored all the time. He made the following statement about the incident:
“They weren’t allowing us to be the Black Crowes. They were trying to censor what I was trying to say… I don’t need a big corporation telling me about the only thing in my life I have control over, really, which is my music.”
ZZ Top’s Comment
Apparently, the band did not have anything to do with The Black Crowes’ firing from the tour, but instead, someone else did. In a statement, ZZ Top’s party clarified:
“This decision was arrived at entirely within this organization and not as has been suggested as a result of corporate pressure. Miller Brewing has been a partner in this tour since its inception and has been very accommodating to ZZ Top and has asked absolutely nothing of the opening acts which have appeared. It is out of a sense of common decency and courtesy coupled with a moral and ethical obligation that this action has been taken.”
So, it can be said that a misunderstanding was involved, according to ZZ Top and their party.
