The Allman Brothers Band

The Allman Brothers Band were widely renowned as one of the pioneers of Southern rock, although they often distanced themselves from the title.

The American rock band focused on a style that largely infused a blend of jazz, blues, and country music.

Formed in March 1969 in Jacksonville, Florida by two brothers, the group’s contribution to the southern rock genre certainly influenced the formation of similar bands in the 1970s.

The group, particularly Duane Allman is credited with promoting the idea of using two lead guitarists. He cites drawing the influence from late American guitarist, singer & songwriter Curtis Mayfield.

Several musicians have adopted their style of incorporating two lead guitars and for that matter, guitar harmonies in their performances, thanks to this band.

They are also noted for their improvisational live performances which earned them a reputation as one of the greatest jam bands of their time.

The band had over 20 band members during its active years. Its definitive classic line-up however consisted of the following:

• Howard Duane Allman (Late)
• Gregory LeNoir Allman (Late) often referred to as Gregg Allman
• Forrest Richard “Dickey” Betts
• Raymond Berry Oakley (Late) 
• Claude Hudson Butch Trucks

Achievements

The band is is one of the iconic bands placed on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

In 2011, former band members Duane Allman, Derek Trucks, and Dickey Betts earned the 9th, 16th and 61st spots on the list of Greatest Guitarists of All Time, respectively.

The Allman Brothers Band received 2 Grammys for Best Rock Performance for the second single of their fourth album Jessica in 1996, and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

They were inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.

Interesting Facts about The Allman Brothers Band

The band’s lifespan encompassed a mixture of successes, perils, hiatus, resolutions, and restoration. The Allman Brothers experienced remarkable events that shaped them into the history makers they are today.

While their fans may pride themselves in following them to the core, not many facts were clear to them until now. Below are some interesting facts surrounding this band:

• Founding member Gregg Allman was the first to begin learning how to skillfully play the guitar but was soon overtaken by his older brother, Duane who excelled massively in the art.
• Though the origin of the band is Macon Georgia, The Allman Brothers band was officially formed in Jacksonville Florida.
• The brothers formed their first band Escorts in the mid-1960s. Almost a decade before they became The Allan Brothers band, they were known as the Escorts. They later came to be known as the Allman Joys in 1966, then Hour Glass and Almanac. Duane Allan had started a solo career that was rising around that period. After a few years of record deals and releases, he grew unsatisfied, moved to Jacksonville, and started this band.
• Duane Allman (Late) began playing the guitar when he was 14 and never quit until his death.
• Duane died in a motorcycle accident on October 29, 1971, after the band’s first commercial success with their third album release.
• The band’s third album At Fillmore East, (1971) was the breakthrough for the band into the limelight. After their formation in 1969, they released two albums that did not succeed commercially. These include their self-titled album, The Allman Brothers Band in 1969 and Idlewild South in 1970.
• The group disbanded three times. The group’s first hiatus was for 2 years, from 1976 to 1978. Their second was for 7 years from 1982 to 1989 and their final breakup was in October 2014.
• Duane and Gregg lost their father in 1949 after he was murdered by a hitchhiker he had picked up.
• In 1965, Gregg shot himself in the foot to avoid being drafted to Vietnam.
• On January 24, 2017, founding member Butch Trucks died from a self-inflicted wound from a gunshot in Florida.
• Founder Gregg died on May 27, 2017, from a cancerous liver in Georgia.
• Gregg despised rap music passionately.
• The group assisted Former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter in his campaign to be elected as the 39^th President. They did so by playing benefit concerts to help raise campaign funds.
• Gregg featured as a drug dealer in the 1991 movie titled, Rush.

Brief Conclusion

The Allman Brothers band are known to have paved the way for bands such as Lynyrd Skynrd, Wet Willie, and the Marshall Tucker Band.

Following over three decades of a commercially successful music career, the members decided to officially disband in October 2014.

Their influence continues to live on as some of their songs are still played on radio to date.

Songs by The Allman Brothers Band

Below are some of the most popular songs released by The Allman Brothers Band:

• “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More”
• “Angeline”
• “Back Where It All Begins”
• “Black Hearted Woman”
• “Can’t Take It with You”
• “Crazy Love”
• “End of the Line”
• “Firing Line”
• “Good Clean Fun”
• “It Ain’t Over Yet”
• “Jessica”
• “Louisiana Lou and Three Card Monty John”
• “Melissa”
• “Mystery Woman”
• “Nevertheless”
• “No One to Run With”
• “One Way Out”
• “Ramblin’ Man”
• “Revival (Love Is Everywhere)”
• “Seven Turns”
• “Straight from the Heart”
• “Two Rights”