Black Merda (US /blæk ˈmərdər/ blak murd-ər)[a] is an American rock band from Detroit, active from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s and reuniting in 2005. The core band members are guitarist/vocalist Anthony Hawkins, bassist/guitarist/vocalist VC L. Veasey, guitarist/vocalist Charles Hawkins, (current) drummer/percussionist Michael Kilgore replaced original drummer/vocalist Tyrone Hite.(deceased) Hite was a native of Detroit; the Hawkins brothers and Veasey were all born in Mississippi and came of age in Detroit. Michael Kilgore is a native of Detroit.