With a confident swagger and bold sound, the Black Crowes revitalized the marriage of hard rock and soulful Southern blues during the 1990s to deliver raw, feel-good, free-spirited rock & roll. From the minute they first arrived on the scene, they gained popularity with critics and passionate fans alike, making them one of the most beloved bands of all time.  

First formed in 1984 as Mr. Crowe’s Garden in Atlanta, Georgia, by brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, the Black Crowes were initially an indie rock outfit, developing their sound by pulling influences from left-of-the-dial bands including R.E.M. and the Replacements along with classic rock icons like Faces. After being joined by guitarist Jeff Cease, bassist Johnny Colt, and drummer Steve Gorman, they were discovered by George Drakoulias, who signed them to Rick Rubin’s Def American label. Their raw approach evolved into soulful, gritty classic rock, a sound that permeated their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker. Released in 1990, the album featured the hit singles “Hard to Handle” and “She Talks to Angels,” propelling them to national stardom through MTV and rock radio. The album was certified five-times platinum, and Rolling Stone named the Black Crowes the Best New American Band in 1990. After Cease’s departure and prior to the release of their sophomore album, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, the band recruited keyboardist Eddie Harsch and guitarist Marc Ford. With the new record yielding their most iconic song, “Remedy,” the Black Crowes proved once again that classic rock would never die in the world’s ever-changing musical landscape. 

Over the span of three decades, including more lineup changes, two hiatuses, and ten total studio albums, the Black Crowes continue to bring a fully committed passion to everything they do. Their longevity and musical excellence are exemplified by their 2025 Best Rock Album Grammy nomination for Happiness Bastards, the band’s first release in 14 years. Through their intoxicating sense of spontaneity and genuine soul, the Black Crowes have created classic rock & roll that has stood strong for decades and will continue far into the future. 

Nominees: Jeff Cease, Johnny Colt, Marc Ford, Steve Gorman, Eddie Harsch, Chris Robinson, Rich Robinson