In the 1990s, Jimmy Page spent much of his time revisiting Led Zeppelin’s legacy, playing with different artists but never committing to a full-fledged Led Zep reunion. From collaborating with Robert Plant to jamming with Aerosmith and even touring with Whitesnake’s David Coverdale, he kept his musical presence alive by teaming up with artists who idolized Zeppelin. So, when it was announced that he would tour with The Black Crowes, a band known for its ‘70s-inspired boogie-rock sound, it seemed like a perfect fit.
The Atlanta-based band, led by brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, had made their mark by reviving classic rock in an era dominated by grunge. Their influences—The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and ZZ Top—aligned with Page’s own 1970s roots, making the pairing seem natural. Their first collaboration, a benefit concert in 1999, went so well that a full tour was quickly announced.
However, what seemed like a dream team soon turned into a clash of egos. The Crowes embodied a raw, no-frills rock and roll ethos, while Page came from a world of mysticism, flamboyant stage outfits, and violin-bow guitar solos. Despite the initial excitement, cracks began to show soon after the tour started.
Originally scheduled for 55 dates, the tour came to an abrupt halt after just 11 shows, with Page citing a back injury as the reason for his withdrawal. However, according to The Black Crowes’ drummer Steve Gorman, the real reason had more to do with Page feeling insulted. In his memoir, Hard to Handle, Gorman recounts that Page had offered to write songs with the Robinson brothers for their next album, but Rich Robinson dismissed the idea, allegedly saying, “No thanks! … We don’t need more songs.”
Page took this as a personal insult. Gorman recalls Page venting his frustration: “I was insulted,” before furiously telling The Crowes’ manager, “I’m driving to Connecticut, and I’m going to kill Rich in his home.” The tension between the two camps had clearly reached a boiling point.
Chris Robinson was equally blunt about his lack of enthusiasm for the project. Speaking to Classic Rock magazine two years after the tour, he admitted, “I didn’t really have that much fun doing it. It was alright, and Jimmy’s a phenomenal guitarist, but to me, it was just a job. I’m not a big fan of Robert Plant’s lyrics or his singing, so that part of it was a little boring for me.”
Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, the live recordings from the tour have remained popular among fans. A remastered album of the Greek Theatre concert is set for release as an expanded box set, ensuring that the music will outlive the tensions. But given the massive egos involved, it’s unlikely that we’ll see another Black Crowes and Jimmy Page collaboration anytime soon.
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