Plagued by well-publicized bouts between singer Chris Robinson and his brother, guitarist Rich Robinson, as well as a heap of creative differences, excesses, legal troubles and lineup changes, the Black Crowes have been among rock & roll's most volatile bands. Until his resignation this week, drummer Steve Gorman -- who joined in 1986, four years before the Crowes' smash debut album, Shake Your Money Maker -- had the longest tenure of anybody not named Robinson.

"I realized my heart wasn't in it as much as it had been in the past," Gorman says. The drummer plans to move from New York to Los Angeles, where he hopes to pick up session work.

After Gorman broke the news of his departure to the rest of the band, the Crowes announced that they would be taking an indefinite hiatus. Chris Robinson will pursue a solo project called the New Earth Mud, and a band statement hinted that Rich Robinson has a new project of his own.

Despite speculation that the hiatus might be a permanent split, a source close to the band insists they will eventually get back together, saying, "They're brothers. They'll be back together again. There's undeniable chemistry there." The source adds that Chris and Rich spent the holidays together in Aspen, Colorado.

BILL CRANDALL and JENNY ELISCU
(January 11, 2002)