July 18, 2024 • 2hr 24min

#2177 - Chris Robinson

The Joe Rogan Experience

Chris Robinson is the lead singer and co-founder of the rock band The Black Crowes. In this wide-ranging conversation with Joe Rogan, Robinson discusses the band's history, his views on the music industry, his love of vinyl and DJing, and his thoughts on art, culture, and maintaining authenticity as an artist. The discussion touches on Robinson's experiences in the music world over the past several decades as well as his perspectives on current trends in popular music and culture.

0:00

-0:00

Key Takeaways

Chris Robinson reflects on the early days of The Black Crowes, their rebellious attitude, and how they navigated sudden mainstream success while trying to maintain artistic integrity
He discusses the importance of live music, real instruments, and authentic performances in rock and roll, contrasting it with more manufactured pop music today
Robinson shares his love of vinyl records, DJing, and how music can provide a deep emotional connection and help people through difficult times
He talks about his experiences touring with and meeting legendary artists like The Rolling Stones, and how inspiring it is to see them still performing at an elite level in their 80s
The conversation covers topics like the dangers of social media, the value of human experiences and travel, and maintaining artistic vision in the face of industry pressures
Robinson expresses concern about the current state of rock music and the lack of anger or rebellion in much of today's popular music

Introduction

Chris Robinson is the lead singer and co-founder of the rock band The Black Crowes. In this wide-ranging conversation with Joe Rogan, Robinson discusses the band's history, his views on the music industry, his love of vinyl and DJing, and his thoughts on art, culture, and maintaining authenticity as an artist. The discussion touches on Robinson's experiences in the music world over the past several decades as well as his perspectives on current trends in popular music and culture.

Topics Discussed

Early Days of The Black Crowes and Maintaining Artistic Integrity (13:53)

Robinson reflects on the early days of The Black Crowes and how they tried to maintain their artistic vision and rebellious spirit even as they achieved mainstream success:

The band was influenced by punk rock, counterculture, and the idea that "anyone can do this"
They faced pressure from industry figures to be more commercial, but resisted
"Part of our, like, being hard about it or being difficult, not being compliant was trying to, in our minds, keep this pure thing," Robinson explains
He recounts an incident on Saturday Night Live where they insisted on playing a new, unreleased song instead of their hit single

The Importance of Live Music and Authentic Performances (1:58:37)

Robinson emphasizes the value of real instruments and live performances in rock music:

He criticizes bands that rely heavily on backing tracks or digital effects
The Black Crowes still perform without in-ear monitors or computers on stage
Robinson believes there is still a "raw" element to their live shows that is missing from many modern performances
He expresses admiration for bands like The Rolling Stones who still play with minimal stage production

Love of Vinyl Records and DJing (22:44)

Robinson shares his passion for vinyl records and DJing:

He has been collecting records since age 12 and recently put 4,000 records in storage
Robinson and his wife DJ together under the name "The Captain and Camille"
He values the physical experience of browsing record stores and the connections formed through shared music interests
"If I could make money doing it, I would never do it. If me and Camille could just play records, I would be the happiest person in the world," Robinson says

Experiences with Legendary Artists (1:57:40)

Robinson recounts some of his experiences meeting and touring with iconic musicians:

The Black Crowes toured Europe with The Rolling Stones in 1995
He recently saw The Rolling Stones perform and was impressed by their energy and Mick Jagger's vocals at age 80
Robinson has met artists like George Jones, John Lee Hooker, and Robert Altman
He expresses admiration for Prince's multi-faceted talents as a musician, producer, and performer

Dangers of Social Media and Value of Real Experiences (1:25:22)

The conversation turns to the negative impacts of social media and the importance of genuine human experiences:

Robinson does not use social media personally
He criticizes the pursuit of likes and followers as "completely false"
Robinson values travel, trying local foods, and having real adventures over digital interactions
He discusses his love of Jamaica and the importance of immersing oneself in different cultures

Maintaining Artistic Vision vs Industry Pressures (1:14:31)

Robinson reflects on navigating industry pressures while trying to maintain artistic integrity:

He criticizes the music industry's focus on marketability over artistic merit
Robinson advocates for "maverick spirits" in the industry who are willing to take chances on unique artists
He expresses frustration with the lack of anger or rebellion in much of today's popular music
"I would like for the young people to, you know, I'd like to see in the art a little more anger," Robinson states

The Power of Music to Connect and Heal (2:13:19)

Robinson discusses how music can provide deep emotional connections and help people through difficult times:

He talks about fans who have used Black Crowes songs at weddings and funerals
Robinson values when people share how songs like "She Talks to Angels" have helped them deal with addiction or loss
He sees music as a way to connect with others who are experiencing similar emotions or struggles
"There's only some artists that I can sail across that deep water with, you know what I mean? To kind of assure me that I'm not the only one," Robinson explains

Thoughts on Current State of Rock Music (2:17:13)

Robinson expresses concern about the current state of rock music and lack of exciting new guitar-based bands:

He notes the continued popularity of classic rock acts like AC/DC and Metallica
Robinson criticizes the music industry for following trends rather than taking chances on unique artists
He advocates for more "maverick spirits" willing to sign unconventional acts
Robinson believes there is still an audience for guitar-based rock music despite industry shifts

Conclusion

Throughout the conversation, Chris Robinson comes across as a passionate artist dedicated to authentic expression and maintaining artistic integrity. He offers insights into the music industry gained from decades of experience, while also sharing his continued enthusiasm for discovering new music and having real-world adventures. Robinson's reflections on the power of music to connect people emotionally and his criticisms of manufactured pop culture highlight his belief in the enduring value of genuine artistic expression. While expressing some concerns about current trends, he remains optimistic about the future of rock music and the potential for new artists to make meaningful contributions to the genre.