The Allman Brothers Band originated in Jacksonville, FL in 1969. Duane Allman (slide and lead guitar), Gregg Allman (vocals, organ), Dickey Betts (guitar, vocals), Berry Oakley (bass), Butch Trucks (drums), and John Lee "Jaimoe" Johnson (drums) formed the group's original lineup. They found commercial success and critical adulation with their blend of hard rock, blues, and jazz, which was a key influence for many Southern rock groups and jam bands. Though the group's debut The Allman Brothers Band (ACTO, 1969) enjoyed little commercial success at the time of its release, it was met with critical acclaim and has morphed into a cult classic. It features "Dreams" and "Whipping Post," which became standards of the Allmans' legendary live shows. Idlewild South (Capricorn, 1970), their sophomore release, was greeted with massive mainstream acceptance, as the record featured shorter, more radio-friendly numbers. Standouts like "Midnight Rider" and "Revival" featured improved songwriting chops coexisting with the multi-faceted, raw sound of their debut. The Allmans' upped the ante with the wildly popular, At Fillmore East (Capricorn, 1971), that captured them at their rollicking, fiery best. Rolling Stone magazine rated it amongst the top 50 albums of all time, and it is widely viewed as one of the finest live albums in rock history. Tragically, just three months after the album's release, the group lost its talismanic lead guitarist Duane Allman in a motorcycle accident in Macon, GA.
Though the death of Allman hit the group hard, they continued to find success, as they hit their commercial pinnacle with the classics, Eat a Peach (Capricorn, 1972) and Brothers and Sisters (Capricorn, 1973). However, the 1972 motorcycle death of bassist, Berry Oakley, internal tensions, solo aspirations, and drug abuse lead to problems within the band and a string of uneven albums, save 1979's Enlightened Rogues (Polydor/ Capricorn). Though the group has gone through myriad line-up changes, they reformed in 1989, and continue to tour, with a line-up that features Gregg Allman, Johnson, and Trucks paired with a group of four new members, featuring Gov't Mule's Warren Haynes and Truck's virtuosic nephew, Derek, on lead guitar.
Read more about the Allman Brothers in Crawdaddy!:
"Chuck Leavall: Wrapped Up in Trees"
