ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND

The Allman Brothers were known for their southern-rock, blues sound. Their rise to successs though was not always easy. Duane Allman was born in Nashville Tennessee in 1946 and his brother Gregg was born a year later. They had a happy childhood up until a hitchhiker murdered their father on leave from the army during Christmas. Years later they turned to music to deal with their father’s death. They moved to Florida and began playing with various local bands in Daytona Beach. They formed the Allman Joys in 1965, and after several failed projects in California, they went to Muscle Shoals, Alabama and recorded some demos. Unfortunately the record companies were not interested, so they went back to Florida.

In 1968 Duane went back to the record company in Florida and recorded several songs with Wilson Pickett. The single they produced soon began to rise to the pop charts and Duane began to play guitar on other sessions. Within the next year Duane recorded with Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, and Clarence Carter. His talents soon became recognized and Jerry Wexler, vice president of Atlantic Records encouraged Duane to form his own group. So the Allman Brothers Band formed and signed to Capricorn records in 1969. The band consisted of Duane Allman (guitarist), Gregg Allman (vocals/organ), Dickey Betts (vocals/guitar), Berry Oakley (bass), Butch Trucks (drums), and “Jaimoe” (drums). Their first LP, “Idlewild South” didn’t make such great sales, but they made a name for themselves with the concerts they performed and were loved by many fans. Duane continued work on the side other than the Allman Brothers Band, one of his most popular works “Layla” adding a slide guitar during the Derek and Dominoes session with Eric Clapton. While doing these sessions Duane and Eric struggled with their addiction to heroin.

The Allman Brothers also had put out a second album, by then they were so popular and known for their astounding performances. More bad luck had followed them; Gregg shot himself in the foot in order to avoid the draft. Then while on tour they were arrested in 1971 with possession of marijuana and heroin. Although they had that set back they decided to release a double-live album where they performed at Fillmore East in New York City in March of 1971. This album reached the top ten and the press gave them great reviews. Later that year on October 29, 1971, Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident while trying to avoid a truck. A year later guitarist Berry Oakley was also killed in a motorcycle accident on Nov.11, 1972. Quintessentially enough both accidents were less than a mile apart in Macon Georgia.

The band decided to go on and hired new members, at the same time many fans were lost, they didn’t view the band the same. Many thought that the good days were gone. They then released their fourth album, “Eat A Peach” which was recorded before the deaths. Lamar Williams filled in Oakley’s position and pianist Chuck Leavall to fill the organ. Their first album with the new group was released in 73’, “Brothers and Sisters” which was a huge success. Following it was their No.2 single “Ramblin’ Man.” They continued to tour extensively and performed for over half a million people at a huge concert in NY. The next album, “Win, Lose, or Draw” reached the top five and went gold. After the release of their album, “Wipe the Windows, Check the Oil, Dollar Gas”, the band began having numerous arguments. At the same time the group’s drug addictions and rivalries began to rise. Then Gregg had to testify at a criminal trial of his former road manager, Scooter Herring, who had been charged with narcotics distribution. With Gregg’s testimony Herring was sentenced to 75 years in prison. The rest of the band thought it was an act of disloyalty and refused to work with him any longer, which ended the bands career in 1976.

They then reunited in 1977, and starting touring like they had done before. After a couple of years the band’s habits became a problem again, and in 1982 the band decided to break up once more. Although seven years passed the band reformed in 1989. After releasing several albums in the early 90’s, the band had made an amazing comeback and began touring in a profitable Grateful Dead style. With all their struggles, the band is still playing today. They still appeal to the people anywhere from the ages of 50 years to 20 years old, probably because they sing of the struggles they had growing up and singing of things that many people growing up could relate to. They viewed as one of the few bands that have been able to achieve its longevity and creativity.

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