The Black Crowes’ lead singer Chris Robinson got into a bizarre argument with the crowd at his band’s show in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday evening, in what appeared to be a politically charged conflict.
The clash reportedly began as Robinson, 59, was about to sing the group’s hit 1990 ballad She Talks to Angels during its concert at Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre.
But after the venue’s video screens showed a comical illustration of a black crow dressed in a marijuana-themed Uncle Sam suit and top hat, the crowd suddenly began chanting ‘USA! USA!,’ a source told TMZ.
The Atlanta-born vocalist, who didn’t appear to care for the patriotic interruption, sarcastically told the audience, ‘Thanks for the geography lesson – I don’t know what you have to be so proud of right now.’
In response to being chastised by Robinson, the crowd began to boo the rocker, and audience members were reportedly seen leaving the show early in what appeared to be a spat over political leanings, the source said.
‘For those of you f***ing booing us, some of us are not afraid – and we most assuredly are not f***ing ignorant,’ the frontman continued.
The Black Crowes’ lead singer Chris Robinson got into a bizarre argument with the crowd at his band’s show in Tampa, Florida , on Sunday evening, in what appeared to be a politically charged conflict; Robinson is pictured May 21 in Nashville
After the crowd chanted ‘USA! USA!,’ Robinson sarcastically said, ‘Thanks for the geography lesson – I don’t know what you have to be so proud of right now’; pictured May 21 in Nashville
The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for The Black Crowes for further comment.
On social media, irritated fans lashed out at Robinson and The Black Crowes over the shouting match.
‘Just left your concert in Tampa,’ one user said. ‘F*** y’all and your political BS! People just wanted to come and hear good music.
‘Half the people left when stupid ass CR went political. So stupid. Not a fan anymore.’
Another poster suggested, ‘Insult your crowd for chanting USA? BOYCOTT.’
One former fan declared, ‘Well, you lost a Georgia fan after 40 plus years. I love America and this country! How many of you guys served? USA baby!!!!’
Another person remarked, ‘Wow, they no longer even hide the fact that they hate America.’
A disgruntled fan who attended the show wrote, ‘As I posted elsewhere, who would have thought that chanting USA was controversial. I served and proud to have done that for any administration. Wish @theblackcrowes would partly refund me for the tickets that were my wife’s birthday present.’
In response to being chastised by Robinson, the crowd began to boo the rocker, and audience members were reportedly seen leaving early in what appeared to be a spat over political leanings, the source said, pictured in 2024
On social media, irritated fans lashed out at Robinson over the shouting match. They blasted the band for getting ‘political,’ and several posters claimed they were done with The Black Crowes
One fan referenced the band’s ouster from ZZ Top’s 1991 tour after it repeatedly criticized the veteran rock band for its corporate sponsors.
‘Remember when you ran your mouth in Houston, TX and got your a** booted off the ZZ Top tour. Well, apparently you haven’t learned to shut the f*** up and just play music,’ read one seething comment. ‘Kick rocks and take your money grab tour with you. Talk s*** to people chanting USA? Idiot.’
Robinson told Rockline in 1991 that he rankled ZZ Top’s management and its sponsor, Miller, by repeatedly criticizing the business relationship during his band’s sets.
‘They were upset,’ he said. ‘I understand them being defensive about corporate sponsorship.
‘But we’re not sponsored by anyone. We’re the Black Crowes,’ Robinson said. ‘We feel it’s important to be able to say whatever you want. They weren’t allowing us to be the Black Crowes. They were trying to censor what I was trying to say.’
