WHAT WENT DOWN
Chris Robinson drew boos and walkouts at The Black Crowes’ Tampa show on May 31 after responding to a crowd chanting “USA” by telling them he didn’t know what they had to be proud of *†. The exchange happened when the band’s crow logo appeared onscreen dressed as Uncle Sam †.
THE DETAILS
- The incident occurred at Tampa’s MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre during the Southern Hospitality tour, one night after Kid Rock played the same venue †
- After the band played “Soul Singing,” the Uncle Sam imagery triggered the chant, and Robinson replied: “Thanks for the geography lesson. I don’t know what you have to be so proud of” *†
- The crowd booed, and Robinson doubled down: “For those of you fucking booing us, some of us are not afraid, and we most assuredly are not fucking ignorant” †‡
- Multiple attendees reported significant numbers of people leaving during or after the exchange †
- The band continued playing, including the live debut of “Blood Red Regrets” from their recent album *A Pound of Feathers* †
- The Black Crowes’ next show is scheduled for June 2 in St. Augustine, Florida *
THE TAKE
Robinson told *Mojo* in March he’s “not interested in politics” but knows “right and wrong” * — then walked straight into exactly this moment. The band previously used the same Uncle Sam logo in 2020 for a HeadCount voting partnership †.