The Black Crowes' lead singer Chris Robinson got into a bizarre argument with the crowd at his band's show in Tampa, , on Sunday evening, in what appeared to be a politically charged conflict.
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Chris Robinson Sparks Fan Clash in Tampa
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 appeare...
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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 , 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.'
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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
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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.
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.'
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