As the iconic band Counting Crows prepared to record their groundbreaking debut album, August and Everything After, in 1993, they received pivotal guidance from legendary musician Robbie Robertson. This advice came at a crucial moment, providing the reassurance they needed.

“Our A&R representative, Gary Gersh, had a connection with Robbie. He arranged for us to meet him before we began the recording process,” shares Adam Duritz in a recent interview with the UCR Podcast. “I was feeling extremely anxious because we had only been a band for a few months when we got signed. I worried that stepping into a large recording studio would intimidate everyone, leading to a sterile sound, rather than capturing the vibrant energy of our music. While discussing my concerns with Robbie, he suggested, ‘Why not record in a house? That’s what we did. It’s your space, and it’s less intimidating, allowing everyone to relax.’ That was a brilliant idea, and it set the tone for our first four albums, as we rented houses to create our own studios.”

This pivotal meeting with the co-founder of The Band opened doors for the emerging San Francisco group, leading to an unforgettable experience at the 1993 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. They had the honor of performing “Caravan,” a tribute to Van Morrison, who was being inducted that year. “I believe we were likely the only unknown band to ever grace the stage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” Duritz recalls. “Robbie was the musical director for the event, and when he learned that Van wouldn’t be attending, he proposed us as a substitute. Just as we were deep into our album recording, we received a call on a Sunday night while we were back home in the Bay Area.”

“We had rehearsals scheduled for Monday, with the performance set for Tuesday. My dad drove me, David Immergluck (our multi-instrumentalist), and Dave Bryson to the airport. On the way, we stopped at Tower Records to pick up a selection of Van Morrison records to help us decide which song to play,” he continues. “Once we arrived, we listened to the tracks and settled on ‘Caravan,’ rehearsing that night. The next day, we walked into the rehearsal space to find Robbie on guitar, Don Was on bass, Jim Keltner on drums, and Benmont Tench of the Heartbreakers on keyboards, all waiting for us.”

“As we entered the rehearsal room, we heard the unmistakable sound of ‘Roadhouse Blues’ being played by The Doors with Eddie Vedder on vocals. Leaning against the wall were Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce, while Ginger Baker was fashionably late, as expected,” he shares. “The atmosphere was electric. Bruce Springsteen was there because John Fogerty was getting inducted. Legendary acts like Sly and the Family Stone were also being honored by George Clinton. Cream was performing that night, and I felt like I was witnessing history. It was surreal to be surrounded by such a talented and iconic crowd as an unknown artist.”

Enjoy the Performance: Counting Crows’ ‘Caravan’ at the 1993 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions

Discover What Counting Crows Are Currently Up To

When August and Everything After launched in September 1993, it marked the beginning of an incredible journey for the band, leading to substantial commercial success. Although they eventually achieved widespread acclaim with their hit single “Mr. Jones,” the August album did not become an instant sensation. The band tirelessly toured and made a significant appearance on Saturday Night Live in January 1994, where they performed both their hit single and a stunning rendition of “Round Here.” This exposure propelled August and Everything After onto the Billboard album charts.

By May of that same year, “Mr. Jones” reached an impressive No. 5 on the singles chart, while “Round Here” solidified their status with a second Top 40 hit. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Counting Crows enjoyed continued success, producing memorable singles such as their rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Accidentally in Love” from the soundtrack of Shrek 2, further cementing their place in rock history.

In recent years, the band collaborated with producer Brian Deck, who initially joined them during the recording of their fifth studio album, 2008’s Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings. Deck has remained integral to their creative process and produced the 2021 album Butter Miracle, Suite One, which comprised a suite of four songs created during the pandemic. As Duritz shares with UCR, writing in this format was a unique challenge, as the songs needed to flow seamlessly into one another. Initially, he had no intention of expanding this project, but inspiration soon struck. “I realized it was only half of a record,” he reflects.

After crafting the suite on a friend’s farm in England, Duritz returned to that same location a year later to continue his work. Although he initially struggled to produce a batch of songs he believed were worthy, he ultimately succeeded. The original suite has since been enhanced with five additional tracks to create Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!, a comprehensive album released in early May. This record showcases a blend of sounds that echo the band’s hallmark style, with “Virginia Through the Rain” emerging as a standout track, truly embodying the essence of Counting Crows.

“While I was on a train heading to visit my sister, who lives near D.C., it began to rain. I thought about how I could barely see Virginia through the rain, which sparked my imagination. It’s intriguing to intertwine the geographical aspect with the name. I remembered a girl named Virginia and thought, ‘What an interesting concept for a song that could address both elements.’ The line ‘I can barely see Virginia through the rain’ came to me first. I started working on it, but didn’t finish it until I arrived at the farm, where I developed the rest of the song,” he reminisces.

Listen to Counting Crows’ ‘Virginia Through the Rain’

Duritz notes that completing the “Sweet Tooth” segment of the new album was an efficient endeavor and that these new tracks, alongside the prior suite, were recorded quicker than any of their previous work as a band. Despite sitting on the second group of songs for an extended period, he expresses satisfaction with the outcome. “I’m glad I waited because the songs needed refinement, and they turned out great,” he states. “I pondered whether they should form their own suite and if I should incorporate linking segments to create two distinct suites. Ultimately, I decided to embrace their original form, as they didn’t require any change.”

Find Out When You Can Catch Counting Crows Live in Concert

The band is set to embark on The Complete Sweets! tour this June, with The Gaslight Anthem as their special guests. Additionally, a new documentary titled Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately? will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival that same month. This film chronicles the emotional journey of Duritz and the Crows, capturing the unexpected rise to fame that followed their 1993 debut.

READ MORE: Counting Crows Announce Summer 2025 Tour Dates

Listen to Adam Duritz on the ‘UCR Podcast’