Guitar & Bass Tabs
The Black Crowes
About The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes burst onto the scene in the mid-1980s, born from the collaboration of brothers Chris Robinson (vocals) and Rich Robinson (guitar) in Georgia. They built a sound rooted in vintage blues-rock, borrowing from the grit of 1960s and 70s rock while injecting reckless energy and swagger that felt both familiar and new. The early lineup also featured Steve Gorman on drums and Sven Pipien on bass, setting up a twin-guitar-led ensemble that would become their signature.
Their 1990 debut Shake Your Money Maker exploded commercially, with raw, hook-laden songs and a live feel that captured the imagination of MTV-era audiences. The 1992 The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion is widely regarded as a high-water mark, blending soulful balladry with blistering blues-rock riffs and memorable harmonies; hits like Remedy and Sting Me helped cement their place in the pantheon of classic-era rock. Their influence helped spark a blues-rock revival in the 1990s and inspired a generation of players to chase raw groove and melodic twin-lead parts.
Despite lineup changes and hiatuses, The Black Crowes have persisted, continuing to tour and release material that leans into Southern roots, improvisation, and fearless live energy. They are remembered for their commitment to live authenticity, fearless guitar interplay, and a catalog that remains a touchstone for players chasing that classic, high-octane rock sound.
🎸 Want to know what gear The Black Crowes used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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Twice As Hard
The Black Crowes
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Hard To Handle
The Black Crowes
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Remedy
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Sting Me
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High Head Blues
The Black Crowes
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Wiser Time
The Black Crowes
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She Gave Good Sunflower
The Black Crowes
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Gone
The Black Crowes
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Cursed Diamond
The Black Crowes
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Only A Fool
The Black Crowes
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The Black Crowes built their sound around a momentum-filled, blues-soaked guitar dynamic. Rich Robinson's gritty, melodic leads lock with a complementary rhythm guitar, while the bass and drums lock in a driving pocket that blurs into a swaggering groove. Expect blues-based scales, urgent power-chord rhythms, and tight, call-and-response harmonies with Chris's vocal lines. Their twin-guitar approach yields shimmering lead trade-offs, memorable hook lines, and a live-energy feel that swings from restrained falsetto to full-on crunch. Common techniques you can study include power chords, palm muting, string bending, hammer-ons and pull-offs, and tasteful use of vibrato to echo their soulful phrasing.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
The Black Crowes’ tone comes from a blues-rock rig built around two guitars through classic amps. Guitars span Fender and Gibson-style electrics, including Telecasters and Les Paul–style guitars, run through Marshall and Fender amplifiers to yield a punchy, saturated edge. On stage and in the studio they often layered rhythm and lead parts, with analog delay and light modulation to thicken harmonies. The result is a warm, roaring rock tone that remains instantly recognizable across their studio cuts and live performances.
Why Learn The Black Crowes Songs?
Learning The Black Crowes repertoire cultivates a strong blues-rock foundation: tight rhythm on punchy power-chord grooves, tasteful lead work, and dynamic shifts that move from hush to howl. The 10 lessons on DadRock Tabs cover essential riffs, turnarounds, and harmony parts found in tracks like Hard to Handle, Remedy, and Wiser Time, providing progressive challenges from mid-level to more nuanced lead figures. These songs sharpen groove, phrasing, and tone control while teaching you how to balance raw energy with melodic storytelling—core skills for any guitarist aiming to capture classic Southern blues-rock vibes.
Did You Know?
- 1The Black Crowes originally performed under the name Mr. Crowe's Garden before shortening the band name.
- 2Shake Your Money Maker (1990) went multi-platinum and featured the hit cover of Otis Redding's Hard to Handle.
- 3Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson lead the band as the vocal frontman and primary guitarist, creating one of rock's most recognizable sibling-led partnerships.
- 4They became a cornerstone of the early 90s blues-rock revival, influencing countless players with their gritty, groove-forward approach.
10 The Black Crowes lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
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