The Black Crowes served as musical guests on Tuesday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, offering a cover of The Temptations‘ “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”. The rendition is set to appear on the rock outfit’s upcoming 1972 EP, featuring covers of songs released in 1972.
Playing alongside bandleaders Chris and Rich Robinson was Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke. The guitarist is currently filling in for regular Black Crowes axeman Isaiah Mitchell who is on tour with Earthless in Europe. Starr wasn’t the only stand-in on last night’s show, as the part of host Jimmy Kimmel was performed by comedian Mike Birbiglia. After testing positive for COVID, Kimmel asked Birbiglia to fill in as host of the talk show for the rest of the week.
“Just got off my Southwest Airlines flight at Long Beach Airport in California, and I found out I’m hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! ’cause he has COVID,” Birbiglia said in a pre-recorded cell phone clip at the start of the show. “Yeah, so that’s one of the promotions they’re running at Southwest right now. So check that out.”
The Black Crowes further bolstered their lineup with a pair of backup singers who added to the Temptations cover’s vintage aesthetic. Chris’s vocal delivery stood at the forefront of the track, interrupted briefly by a harmonica solo, before Rich’s slide guitar playing sent the track off into the distance.
Watch The Black Crowes perform “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! The band released 1972 exclusively through Amazon Music today, May 4th, with a wide release on Friday. The Black Crowes will also perform a livestream concert tonight on Amazon Music’s Twitch channel.
The Black Crowes – “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” (The Temptations)