The Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson recently shared his perspective on mental health challenges in the music industry, contrasting his band’s experiences in the 1990s with today’s approach to artist wellbeing in an interview with Vulture.
Robinson discussed how his generation of musicians handled mental health struggles differently. He emphasized the relentless touring schedule that bands faced in the early days of their careers.
“The first six years of the Black Crowes were insane to process. 1989 to 1996 wasn’t a great expansive time, but we did a lot of living,” Robinson said. “You see a lot of kids and they’re like, ‘I canceled my shows because I’m having a mental-health issue.’ And I’m like, Jesus, the whole ’90s was a mental-health issue for us. We just had no choice. F*cking get out. You got to go do the gig.”
The musician reflected on how bands of his era simply pushed through difficulties without the option to take breaks.
“Every band documentary you see, they always go, ‘If we could just have taken six months off, we could have cooled off.’ You didn’t do that. You didn’t get the chance,” he continued. “You’re losing your mind or whatever. You just don’t say anything.”
Robinson also highlighted the demanding nature of touring in the early 1990s. He noted the stark difference in expectations for today’s artists.
“It’s so different now. I told some younger musicians the other day that our first tour for Shake Your Money Maker was 350 shows in 18 months. And we did it,” he said. “The future seems much more gentle.”
Robinson’s candid remarks shed light on the broader struggles that defined The Black Crowes’ early career and the music industry’s evolution regarding mental health awareness.
WDRV reported that Robinson has previously acknowledged that some of his early “bratty behavior” stemmed from underlying depression. This included insulting Miller Lite in 1991, the sponsor of a ZZ Top tour they were supporting. The incident resulted in The Black Crowes being kicked off the trek. The incident exemplified how mental health issues manifested as disruptive behavior rather than being addressed directly.
The band’s struggles intensified as their career progressed through the decade. Louder Sound noted that by the late 1990s, constant industry pressures had worn the band down further. This was particularly evident after signing with Columbia Records for their album “By Your Side,” which proved to be a poor fit for the group.
The relentless pace of the music industry during this era left little room for self-care or mental health considerations. Robinson’s experience reflects a broader cultural shift in how the entertainment industry approaches artist wellbeing. The industry has moved from an era where performers were expected to push through any personal struggles to today’s more understanding approach.
The contrast Robinson draws between past and present attitudes highlights how the music industry has evolved to prioritize artist mental health. Contemporary musicians now have the space to address their wellbeing without the career-threatening consequences that earlier generations faced.
