The Black Crowes break up

Brian Mansfield | USA TODAY

Bad blood between brothers Chris and Rich Robinson has led to the breakup of the Black Crowes.

"It is with great disappointment and regret that after having the privilege of writing and performing the music of The Black Crowes over the last 24 years, I find myself in the position of saying that the band has broken up," guitarist and songwriter Rich Robinson said in a statement released Thursday.

A plan to re-distribute the ownership of the band appears to have led to the parting of the ways. "I love my brother and respect his talent," Rich continued in his statement, "but his present demand that I must give up my equal share of the band and that our drummer for 28 years and original partner, Steve Gorman, relinquish 100% of his share, reducing him to a salaried employee, is not something I could agree to."

The Black Crowes formed in Marietta, Ga., in 1989 and released nine studio albums, including 1990's five-times-platinum Shake Your Money Maker, which included the hits Hard to Handle and She Talks to Angels. The group had taken hiatuses before, and, in fact, had been on hiatus since finishing a 2013 tour.

"I hold my time with the Black Crowes with the utmost respect and sincerest appreciation, Rich said. "It is a huge swath of my life's body of work. I couldn't be more proud of what we accomplished and deeply moved by the relationships people created and maintained with my music. That alone is the greatest honor of being a musician.

Rich concluded: "There are so many people who have helped and supported us along the way. I want to give a heartfelt thank you to all of our fans, our friends behind the scenes, and to everyone who was a part of the Black Crowes."

Chris Robinson is currently planning a winter tour with his other band, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, that begins Saturday at the Sunshine Music & Blues Festival in St. Petersburg, Fla.