Steve Gorman - Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of the Black Crowes

Steve Gorman - Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of the Black Crowes

Saturday, Dec 14, 2019 2:00 PM

Location:
A Cappella Books
208 Haralson Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

A Cappella Books welcomes Steve Gorman, drummer and co-founder of multi-platinum-selling Atlanta-born Southern rock band, The Black Crowes, for a special in-store book signing in honor of his recently released memoir, “Hard to Handle.” 

This event is free and open to the public.

About the Book

For over two decades, the Black Crowes topped the charts and reigned supreme over the radio waves, even as hair bands, grunge, and hip-hop threatened to dethrone them. With hits like “Hard to Handle,” “She Talks to Angels,” and “Remedy,” their massive success launched them to stardom in the early ’90s, earning them a place among rock royalty. They were on the cover of Rolling Stone, MTV played their videos 24/7, and Generation X re-discovered the power of classic rock and blues by digging into multi-platinum classics like "Shake Your Money Maker" and "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion."

But stardom can be fleeting. For the Black Crowes, success slowly dwindled as the band members got caught up in the rock star world and lost sight of their musical ambition. Despite the drinking, drugs, and incessant fighting between Chris and Rich Robinson–the angriest brothers in rock and roll, with all due respect to Oasis and the Kinks–the band continued to tour until 2013. On any given night, they could be the best band you ever saw. (Or the most combative.) Then, one last rift proved insurmountable for the band to survive. After that, the Black Crowes would fly no more.

Founding member Steve Gorman was there for all of it–the coke and weed-fueled tours; the tumultuous recording sessions; the backstage hangs with legends like Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and the Rolling Stones. As the band’s drummer and voice of reason, he tried to keep the Black Crowes together musically–and in one piece emotionally. In “Hard To Handle: The Life & Death Of The Black Crowes” –the first ever account of this great American rock band’s beginning, middle, and end–Gorman makes it clear just how impossible that job was. Fortunately, Gorman tells the tale with great insight, candor, and humor. They don’t make bands like the Black Crowes anymore: crazy, brilliant, self-destructive, inspiring, and, ultimately, not built to last. But, man, what a ride it was while it lasted. 

About the Authors

Steve Gorman is a founding member of the Black Crowes as well as his current band, Trigger Hippy. He has created and hosted two nationally syndicated radio shows. Hard to Handle is his first book. He lives in Nashville with his wife and two kids.

Steven Hyden is the author of “Your Favorite Band Is Killing Me” and “Twilight of the Gods”. His work has also appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Washington Post, Billboard, Rolling Stone, Grantland, A.V. Club, Uproxx, and the Ringer.