The Black Crowes' lead singer Chris Robinson clashed with the crowd in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday evening in what appeared to be a politically charged confrontation. The 59-year-old vocalist was performing at the Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre as part of the band's summer Southern Hospitality Tour when the incident occurred. As the group prepared to play their 1990 ballad 'She Talks to Angels,' the audience began a 'U.S.A.' chant in response to an Uncle Sam graphic displayed on a screen behind the band, according to a source cited by TMZ. The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for The Black Crowes for further comment.
Robinson, who was born in Atlanta, sarcastically told the crowd, 'Thanks for the geography lesson – I don't know what you have to be so proud of right now.' This remark prompted boos from the audience, and many fans reportedly gathered their belongings and left the venue, seemingly in protest of the singer's political stance. The source described the incident as a spat over political leanings.
Addressing the booing fans, Robinson said, 'For those of you f****** booing us, some of us are not afraid – and we most assuredly are not f***ing ignorant.' His response further inflamed tensions, and social media quickly filled with criticism. One user wrote, 'Just left your concert in Tampa. F*** y’all and your political BS! People just wanted to come and hear good music.' Another commented, 'Half the people left when stupid ass CR went political. So stupid. Not a fan anymore.'
Other reactions included calls for a boycott, with one person stating, 'Insult your crowd for chanting USA? BOYCOTT.' A 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 remarked, 'Wow, they no longer even hide the fact that they hate America.'
An attendee expressed disappointment, saying, '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.'
Some fans referenced the band's history, recalling when The Black Crowes were removed from ZZ Top's 1991 tour after repeatedly criticizing the veteran rockers for using corporate sponsors. One user said, 'Remember when you ran your mouth in Houston, TX and got your ass booted off the ZZ Top tour. Well, apparently you haven't learned to shut the f*** up and just play music. Kick rocks and take your money grab tour with you. Talk s*** to people chanting USA? Idiot.'
In a 1991 interview with Rockline, Robinson explained his stance on corporate sponsorship, saying, 'They were upset. I understand them being defensive about corporate sponsorship. But we’re not sponsored by anyone. We’re the Black Crowes. 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.'
