Happy Birthday to Crowes Co-founder Chris

Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson turns 45 this week, born December 20, 1966 in Marietta, Georgia.

Whenever I hear Chris sing with that signature sound of raw bluesy rock 'n roll and R & B, I think of Steve Marriott of the Small Faces and Humble Pie, as well as The Stones, Buddy Guy and Otis Redding. He's a powerful vocalist, to be sure.

Chris' latest foray into the limelight aside from on-going work with The Black Crowes (on hiatus again at the moment) is with his other project, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood.

A review of the band's performance last October in Syracuse suggests that the group may very well become a solid touring act not unlike the Crowes in their earlier years, but there are still some wrinkles (such as the seeming lack of chemistry between the members) that the band needs to iron out.

You decide: