Fresh off the success of its collaborative "What Is And What Should Never Be" single with Jimmy Page, Southern rockers The Black Crowes are now gearing up for a full summer tour with the Led Zeppelin guitarist -- but will likely spend the next few weeks breaking in a new bassist.

The Crowes have officially parted ways with Sven Pipien, who replaced previous bassist Johnny Colt in late 1997 (see [article id="1425917"]"Black Crowes Begin Work On New Album, Name Bassist"[/article]) and played on the group's "By Your Side" album, as well as its "Live At The Greek" concert record with Page.

No reason was given for the Crowes' decision to part ways with Pipien, whom the band had known from his work in the Atlanta-based outfit Mary My Hope, and the Black Crowes have already selected Greg Rzab as its new bassist.

Rzab has played with such blues greats as Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Jimmy Powers, and Otis Clay, and is also familiar with some

of the Led Zeppelin tunes the Crowes might be playing this summer, as Rzab appeared on last year's "Whole Lotta Blues: Songs Of Led Zeppelin" tribute album.

The Black Crowes and Jimmy Page will kick off the first leg of its summer outing on June 24 in Tinley Park, Illinois (see [article id="1425896"]"Page And The Crowes Set Tour Plans, Talk Roots"[/article]).