Black Crowes lose another member on eve of tour

NEW YORK - Barely a week after longtime keyboardist Eddie Hawrysch was fired from the Black Crowes, the rock group's revolving-door lineup is in transition again.

According to an online post from the band's manager, Pete Angelus, guitarist Marc Ford has left the Crowes on the eve of their fall tour, which begins today in Richmond, Va.

"I am not going to comment on the timing of this notification or the way Marc has elected to handle his personal and business affairs with the Black Crowes, however I will state as a matter of fact, that this is not the first time that Marc Ford has breached his agreement with the Black Crowes," Angelus said.

Ford rejoined the band in the spring of 2005 after an eight-year absence. Guitarist Paul Stacey will play with the Crowes on the fall run but according to Angelus, "discussions with other guitarists" are also underway.

In a statement released by his publicist, Ford said he left the Crowes due to concerns that his health "and all the difficult work he has done to gain his longest period of sobriety ever was in jeopardy while touring."

In the midst of all the lineup changes, Black Crowes principals Chris and Rich Robinson have been plugging away with Stacey on the first new Crowes album since 2001's Lions. The as-yet-untitled set is due next year on an undetermined label. Several cuts have been unveiled live in the past year, including Magic Rooster Blues, Cold Boy Smile, Late Nights Again and Cut From the Shadow.

As previously reported, the double-disc rarities set The Lost Crowes will arrive in the US on September 26 via Rhino.

- REUTERS/Billboard