One of the many interesting tales told by former The Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman in Hard To Handle: The Life And Death Of The Black Crowes — A Memoir comes in regards to a conversation TBC guitarist Rich Robinson had with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. Gorman claims Rich snubbed Page when Jimmy offered to write songs with him. Rich Robinson denied the conversation ever happened in a new interview with Classic Rock.
Here’s how Rolling Stone describes the part of the book about the alleged snub:
The pairing of Page with the Crowes gave the dysfunctional band a shot in the arm in 2000 and set them up for a successful year of touring. But following an appearance on The Tonight Show, Page, who was battling back problems, mysteriously disappeared, and the tour was canceled. Gorman learned the real reason why Page left from the man himself a year and a half later. According to the drummer’s recollection, Page told him that he offered to write songs with the Robinson brothers for their next record, but Rich blew him off with a “No thanks! … We don’t need more songs.” “I was insulted,” Page said to Gorman, who furiously called the Crowes’ manager and told him, “I’m driving to Connecticut, and I’m going to kill Rich in his home.”
While the Robinson Brothers have mostly kept quiet in regards to the content of Steve’s book, Rich told Classic Rock the story was “absolutely not true.” He added, “I remember having conversations with Jimmy, telling him: ‘Hey, if you ever wanted to make a record or do anything, I would love to help in any way I can.’ Jimmy’s a brilliant musician, a brilliant person. I loved playing with him.” Rich also noted he’s shared the stage with Page since the end of The Black Crowes/Jimmy Page tour. “Jimmy Page wants to write songs for me, and I’m gonna say: ‘You know what, Jimmy? Led Zeppelin was alright, but I’m not gonna do it’? It’s the most absurd thing I’ve heard in my life,” Rich quipped. Read more from Rich and Chris Robinson in the current issue of Classic Rock.
Listen to Gorman discuss his memoir, Trigger Hippy and more during his interview with JamBase’s Andy Kahn on The JamBase Podcast (segment begins ~8:02) below:
Chris & Rich Robinson will bring the latest Black Crowes lineup, sans Gorman, on the road later this year for an extensive tour of North America, the U.K. and Europe.
