Gregg Allman, born a Ramblin' Man on Dec. 8, 1947, has died
May 27, 2017 12:57 PM Subscribe
Gregg Allman, Soulful Trailblazer of Southern Rock, Dies at 69 Gregg Allman, the soulful singer-songwriter and rock n' blues pioneer who founded The Allman Brothers Band with his late brother, Duane, and composed such classics as "Midnight Rider," "Melissa" and the epic concert jam "Whipping Post," has died at age 69, Billboard has learned. He was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 1999 and underwent a liver transplant in 2010. ~ From BILLBOARD
PITCHFORK: Gregg Allman has died, Billboard reports. The news was confirmed with a note on Allman’s website, which states that he died “peacefully at his home in Savannah, Georgia.”
The family has asked that tributes to Allman be made to the Gregg Allman Scholarship Fund at The University of Georgia or the Allman/Lehman Endowed Scholarship at Syracuse University.
ROLLING STONE: Gregg Allman, Southern Rock Pioneer, Dead at 69 Although he claimed the term was redundant, singer-keyboardist Gregg Allman helped create the first great "Southern-rock" group as co-founder of the legendary Allman Brothers Band alongside his older brother, famed guitarist Duane Allman. The Allmans fused country blues with San Francisco-style extended improvisation, and their sound created a template for countless jam bands to come. Gregg Allman was blessed with one of blues-rock's great growling voices and, along with his Hammond B-3 organ playing, beholden to Booker T. Jones, had a deep emotional power.
Allman Brothers Band - Ramblin' Man
Allman Brothers Band - Midnight Rider
PITCHFORK: Gregg Allman has died, Billboard reports. The news was confirmed with a note on Allman’s website, which states that he died “peacefully at his home in Savannah, Georgia.”
The family has asked that tributes to Allman be made to the Gregg Allman Scholarship Fund at The University of Georgia or the Allman/Lehman Endowed Scholarship at Syracuse University.
ROLLING STONE: Gregg Allman, Southern Rock Pioneer, Dead at 69 Although he claimed the term was redundant, singer-keyboardist Gregg Allman helped create the first great "Southern-rock" group as co-founder of the legendary Allman Brothers Band alongside his older brother, famed guitarist Duane Allman. The Allmans fused country blues with San Francisco-style extended improvisation, and their sound created a template for countless jam bands to come. Gregg Allman was blessed with one of blues-rock's great growling voices and, along with his Hammond B-3 organ playing, beholden to Booker T. Jones, had a deep emotional power.
Allman Brothers Band - Ramblin' Man
Allman Brothers Band - Midnight Rider
Oh Shit. No. What a loss.
RIP and say hi to Duane, Berry, Butch, Allen and Lamar.
posted by jonmc at 1:05 PM on May 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
RIP and say hi to Duane, Berry, Butch, Allen and Lamar.
posted by jonmc at 1:05 PM on May 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
One of the greatest purveyors of blue-eyed soul in existence. I've got a lot of Allmans music to play this weekend but I'm leading off with this, Gregg taking the Beatles "Rain" to church. RIP you magnificent bastard.
posted by Ber at 1:07 PM on May 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Ber at 1:07 PM on May 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
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posted by Silverstone at 1:10 PM on May 27, 2017
posted by Silverstone at 1:10 PM on May 27, 2017
Crossroads, will you ever let him go? Lord, Lord.
Or will you hide the dead man's ghost?
Or will he lie, beneath the clay?
Or will his spirit float away?
posted by pyramid termite at 1:26 PM on May 27, 2017
Or will you hide the dead man's ghost?
Or will he lie, beneath the clay?
Or will his spirit float away?
posted by pyramid termite at 1:26 PM on May 27, 2017
Can't tribute Allman without the 23-minute version of Whipping Post from Filmore East, 1971.
Godspeed!
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 1:26 PM on May 27, 2017 [10 favorites]
Godspeed!
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 1:26 PM on May 27, 2017 [10 favorites]
If you've never seen the documentary Muscle Shoals (now on Netflix) it has a wonderful segment about the Allman Bros Band and a great interview with Gregg.
posted by pjsky at 1:31 PM on May 27, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by pjsky at 1:31 PM on May 27, 2017 [5 favorites]
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posted by ogooglebar at 1:34 PM on May 27, 2017
posted by ogooglebar at 1:34 PM on May 27, 2017
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I was fortunate to see Greg Allman play with Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes when The Allman Brothers opened for The Dead at the Change Rocks concert in 2008.
posted by Rob Rockets at 1:42 PM on May 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
I was fortunate to see Greg Allman play with Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes when The Allman Brothers opened for The Dead at the Change Rocks concert in 2008.
posted by Rob Rockets at 1:42 PM on May 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
In the early 90s, when I was in my early 20s, the Allman Brothers were about the furthest thing from the music I was listening to at the time. I guess I didn't really know who they were and I lumped them in with the Southern Rock bands that I grew up hating, like Lynyrd Skynyrd and 38 Special. Then one day my buddy Steve, a guy I worked with who was a few years older, suggested I go with him to see them down at Great Woods. I think they were kind of making a comeback at the time. I had no idea who Gregg was, who Dicky Betts was, and I didn't even know anything about Dwayne or that he was dead. I didn't know anything.
I came out of the show a lifelong fan. They were fucking amazing.
I read Gregg's autobiography a couple of years ago. He didn't sound like a very nice man, or a very happy man, but damn he had a great band. Sorry to see him go so young.
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posted by bondcliff at 1:58 PM on May 27, 2017 [8 favorites]
I came out of the show a lifelong fan. They were fucking amazing.
I read Gregg's autobiography a couple of years ago. He didn't sound like a very nice man, or a very happy man, but damn he had a great band. Sorry to see him go so young.
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posted by bondcliff at 1:58 PM on May 27, 2017 [8 favorites]
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posted by austinetsu at 2:05 PM on May 27, 2017
posted by austinetsu at 2:05 PM on May 27, 2017
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posted by Elly Vortex at 2:09 PM on May 27, 2017
posted by Elly Vortex at 2:09 PM on May 27, 2017
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posted by mikelieman at 2:12 PM on May 27, 2017
posted by mikelieman at 2:12 PM on May 27, 2017
THIS poster hangs above the fridge in my kitchen.
posted by mikelieman at 2:13 PM on May 27, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by mikelieman at 2:13 PM on May 27, 2017 [3 favorites]
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I guess it's my age that so many icons of my youth are passing.
posted by octothorpe at 2:17 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
I guess it's my age that so many icons of my youth are passing.
posted by octothorpe at 2:17 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
I've said before that the ABB was a big part of the soundtrack of my early youth.
I heard last week that he was ill. 69 is far too young.
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posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 2:24 PM on May 27, 2017
I heard last week that he was ill. 69 is far too young.
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posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 2:24 PM on May 27, 2017
Several years after the Allman Brothers Band had broken up, I went to see Dickey Betts' Great Southern play in Central Park in August '78 (this show, in fact). After playing a set, Dickey announced he'd like to bring out a few friends. And, one by one, out trooped his old comrades from the Allman Brothers Band, who proceeded to knock out a great set of ABB standards. I about levitated to witness this reunion. And Gregg's voice, without doubt, made it the real thing.
One of the great, immediately recognizable voices of rock.
aav.
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posted by the sobsister at 2:34 PM on May 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
One of the great, immediately recognizable voices of rock.
aav.
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posted by the sobsister at 2:34 PM on May 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
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Just heard the news, and put on the band’s first LP (where Whipping Post is only 5:17 long). Never cared much for the usual Southern rock sound, but was a big Allman Brothers fan; one night I got a phone call saying, “Come down to HACC immediately; they're going to be playing in the multi-function room.” I have no idea how the original six ended up in a small corner of the local community college about a month after the live Fillmore East albums were recorded, but boy they sounded good.
RIP Gregg; trouble no more.
posted by LeLiLo at 2:43 PM on May 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
Just heard the news, and put on the band’s first LP (where Whipping Post is only 5:17 long). Never cared much for the usual Southern rock sound, but was a big Allman Brothers fan; one night I got a phone call saying, “Come down to HACC immediately; they're going to be playing in the multi-function room.” I have no idea how the original six ended up in a small corner of the local community college about a month after the live Fillmore East albums were recorded, but boy they sounded good.
RIP Gregg; trouble no more.
posted by LeLiLo at 2:43 PM on May 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
"I'm half crazy....come on and love me baby!"
RIP Gregg Allman.
posted by stevil at 2:53 PM on May 27, 2017
RIP Gregg Allman.
posted by stevil at 2:53 PM on May 27, 2017
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posted by get off of my cloud at 2:58 PM on May 27, 2017
posted by get off of my cloud at 2:58 PM on May 27, 2017
Relevant to Whipping Post - this exchange should give hope to musicians everywhere, that you don't need to understand even basic technical stuff if you have soul:
"I didn't know the intro was in 11/4 time. I just saw it as three sets of three, and then two to jump on the next three sets with: it was like 1,2,3—1,2,3—1,2,3—1,2. I didn't count it as 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11. It was one beat short, but it didn't feel one short, because to get back to the triad, you had two steps to go up. You'd really hit those two hard, to accent them, so that would separate the threes. ... [Duane] said, 'That's good man, I didn't know that you understood 11/4.' Of course I said something intelligent like, 'What's 11/4?' Duane just said, 'Okay, dumbass, I'll try to draw it up on paper for you.'"
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 3:07 PM on May 27, 2017 [15 favorites]
"I didn't know the intro was in 11/4 time. I just saw it as three sets of three, and then two to jump on the next three sets with: it was like 1,2,3—1,2,3—1,2,3—1,2. I didn't count it as 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11. It was one beat short, but it didn't feel one short, because to get back to the triad, you had two steps to go up. You'd really hit those two hard, to accent them, so that would separate the threes. ... [Duane] said, 'That's good man, I didn't know that you understood 11/4.' Of course I said something intelligent like, 'What's 11/4?' Duane just said, 'Okay, dumbass, I'll try to draw it up on paper for you.'"
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 3:07 PM on May 27, 2017 [15 favorites]
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posted by saulgoodman at 3:17 PM on May 27, 2017
posted by saulgoodman at 3:17 PM on May 27, 2017
Always loved the southern rock sound. ABB, Greg Allman's solo stuff, Dickey Betts' stuff, etc. Imagine my surprise one day when I'm watching some British shows on the BBC in HK and I hear Jessica. Shocked and dismayed I was that it was some unknown British car show using it for their opening.
Bye Gregg
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posted by Purposeful Grimace at 3:34 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
Bye Gregg
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posted by Purposeful Grimace at 3:34 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
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posted by fairmettle at 3:56 PM on May 27, 2017
posted by fairmettle at 3:56 PM on May 27, 2017
So sad. For me, it is closing a chapter on a part of my youth. Saw the Allmans play many times in the 70s. Gregg has been sick for years. While this was not unexpected, it seems to have still hit me pretty hard. Gregg was sort of a prick, but a damn good musician with a soulful voice. I sort of was partial to Dickey Betts, but Gregg really was the band.
Two stories. Was given tickets to a Beacon theater show by a guy I did business with. First row it turns out. My wife and I got there and situated early. This guy walks up to the keyboards which were RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. He starts noodling around. She looked at him and looked at me and said, "Who is the old guy with the gray hair messing with the keyboards?" "I looked up and saw it was Gregg himself. "Uh, that is Gregg Allman." "Really?" "Really." Then the moment just struck me. I stood up, walked the two feet to the stage and said, "Mr. Allman, I would like you to meet my wife, Xxxx. " and pointed to her. Without missing a beat, Gregg looks up, looks at her and sticks out his hand, and says, "Pleasure to meet you ma'am." On the way home she kept saying to me, "He's the guy that was married to Cher?"
Just two Fridays ago, I was in the grocery store in Bedford Hills. It was about 6:00pm. The store was pretty empty. There is this guy with long blond/gray hair, a mustache and a pot belly. He is talking to a young boy with long blond hair of his own. I keep looking at him knowing I know him from somewhere, but hard to place in a grocery store. Then it struck me. Warren Haynes. "Mr. Haynes?" "Yes." Me sort of star struck, "Oh, guess you gotta eat. Didn't think you would be in the Stop&Shop. Thank you for all the terrific music and great times you have led me through. I am going to see you tomorrow at the Cap." "Thanks I appreciate it. This is my son, Hxxxxx. We're getting burgers for a BBQ." As normal and nice as can be. "I heard Gregg is real sick. Do you know how he is doing?" "I am not sure," he replied, "but I wish him well."
RIP Gregg Allman. The high cost of low living...
posted by AugustWest at 3:57 PM on May 27, 2017 [23 favorites]
Two stories. Was given tickets to a Beacon theater show by a guy I did business with. First row it turns out. My wife and I got there and situated early. This guy walks up to the keyboards which were RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. He starts noodling around. She looked at him and looked at me and said, "Who is the old guy with the gray hair messing with the keyboards?" "I looked up and saw it was Gregg himself. "Uh, that is Gregg Allman." "Really?" "Really." Then the moment just struck me. I stood up, walked the two feet to the stage and said, "Mr. Allman, I would like you to meet my wife, Xxxx. " and pointed to her. Without missing a beat, Gregg looks up, looks at her and sticks out his hand, and says, "Pleasure to meet you ma'am." On the way home she kept saying to me, "He's the guy that was married to Cher?"
Just two Fridays ago, I was in the grocery store in Bedford Hills. It was about 6:00pm. The store was pretty empty. There is this guy with long blond/gray hair, a mustache and a pot belly. He is talking to a young boy with long blond hair of his own. I keep looking at him knowing I know him from somewhere, but hard to place in a grocery store. Then it struck me. Warren Haynes. "Mr. Haynes?" "Yes." Me sort of star struck, "Oh, guess you gotta eat. Didn't think you would be in the Stop&Shop. Thank you for all the terrific music and great times you have led me through. I am going to see you tomorrow at the Cap." "Thanks I appreciate it. This is my son, Hxxxxx. We're getting burgers for a BBQ." As normal and nice as can be. "I heard Gregg is real sick. Do you know how he is doing?" "I am not sure," he replied, "but I wish him well."
RIP Gregg Allman. The high cost of low living...
posted by AugustWest at 3:57 PM on May 27, 2017 [23 favorites]
I grew up after his heyday but, thanks to my parents and their mischievous and melodious ways, I will spin some vintage vinyl of his tonight.
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posted by RolandOfEld at 4:15 PM on May 27, 2017
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posted by RolandOfEld at 4:15 PM on May 27, 2017
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posted by Token Meme at 4:30 PM on May 27, 2017
posted by Token Meme at 4:30 PM on May 27, 2017
When I was a teenager in small town BC back in the early '80s the radio in our kitchen could pick up a classic rock station from Washington State. This was before it became known as classic rock, and I was still knew to a lot of the history. I used to listen to it while doing the dishes after dinner. The one song I still remember that station introducing to me was Whipping Post. The sound of the guitars, the freight train rhythm section, and Greg Allman's extraordinarily soulful voice made a huge impact.
Became a lifelong fan, and in my own very subjective opinion The Allman Brothers Band were a fine a live band as there ever was in history of the rock and the roll. They played with a preternatural grace, elegant and ferocious at the same time, and you could hear their intelligence and influences that made them so very far, far ahead of the the genre of Southern rock they had so much to do with creating.
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posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 4:31 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
Became a lifelong fan, and in my own very subjective opinion The Allman Brothers Band were a fine a live band as there ever was in history of the rock and the roll. They played with a preternatural grace, elegant and ferocious at the same time, and you could hear their intelligence and influences that made them so very far, far ahead of the the genre of Southern rock they had so much to do with creating.
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posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 4:31 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
He was supposed to open for ZZ Top in Boston last year but his show was canceled at the last minute. I came to appreciate him recently so never saw him live.
Here is his great cover of "I Can't Be Satisfied."
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posted by Sheydem-tants at 4:46 PM on May 27, 2017
Here is his great cover of "I Can't Be Satisfied."
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posted by Sheydem-tants at 4:46 PM on May 27, 2017
I was suprised at how hard this hit me, too. I'm an agnostic, but the idea of an afterlife where Gregg is reunited with Duane (and his other fallen bandmates) does make me feel something.
posted by jonmc at 4:48 PM on May 27, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by jonmc at 4:48 PM on May 27, 2017 [5 favorites]
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posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 4:55 PM on May 27, 2017
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 4:55 PM on May 27, 2017
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having just finished reading Galadriel Allman's rather wonderful investigation of her father's life (Duane) and the whole Allman story, let me add my voice to those who feeling hard hit.
Ain't Wastin' Time No More
posted by philip-random at 5:09 PM on May 27, 2017
having just finished reading Galadriel Allman's rather wonderful investigation of her father's life (Duane) and the whole Allman story, let me add my voice to those who feeling hard hit.
Ain't Wastin' Time No More
posted by philip-random at 5:09 PM on May 27, 2017
(Holds lighter aloft) PLAY WHIPPIN' POST!!!
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posted by mondo dentro at 5:14 PM on May 27, 2017 [3 favorites]
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posted by mondo dentro at 5:14 PM on May 27, 2017 [3 favorites]
I didn't realize Butch just left four months ago - seemed like it had been a few years . . Man.
posted by petebest at 5:22 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by petebest at 5:22 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
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posted by Joey Michaels at 5:29 PM on May 27, 2017
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:29 PM on May 27, 2017
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posted by downtohisturtles at 5:45 PM on May 27, 2017
posted by downtohisturtles at 5:45 PM on May 27, 2017
I am never not astounded by how sheerly joyful "Ramblin' Man" is. It makes that other classic Southern rock song about lovin' and leavin' sound like a funeral dirge by comparison.
🍑
posted by Halloween Jack at 5:47 PM on May 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
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posted by Halloween Jack at 5:47 PM on May 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
(Holds lighter aloft) PLAY WHIPPIN' POST!!!
The Allman Brothers Band - Whipping Post - 9/23/1970 - Fillmore East (Official)
posted by philip-random at 5:47 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
The Allman Brothers Band - Whipping Post - 9/23/1970 - Fillmore East (Official)
posted by philip-random at 5:47 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
My sister dated Allman in the '60s when the band was called (I think) The Hourglass. I was never into southern rock (while recognizing the good musicianship, etc.) Still, the dude was an institution at one time, so
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posted by metagnathous at 5:48 PM on May 27, 2017
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posted by metagnathous at 5:48 PM on May 27, 2017
My mom's husband is a guitarist and a huge classic rock buff. The Allman Brothers are on frequent rotation in his truck. This is hitting him pretty hard right now.
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posted by pxe2000 at 6:16 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
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posted by pxe2000 at 6:16 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
Saw the ABB several times over the years. Always thought they were great; knew this day was coming, but damn, it seems way too soon.
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posted by TedW at 6:21 PM on May 27, 2017
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posted by TedW at 6:21 PM on May 27, 2017
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posted by Radiophonic Oddity at 7:08 PM on May 27, 2017
posted by Radiophonic Oddity at 7:08 PM on May 27, 2017
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I had no idea he was that young! The Allman Bros. did weird and fantastic things to American music, in the right time, at the right place.
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:02 PM on May 27, 2017
I had no idea he was that young! The Allman Bros. did weird and fantastic things to American music, in the right time, at the right place.
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:02 PM on May 27, 2017
I just love "Jessica."
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 8:22 PM on May 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 8:22 PM on May 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
I thought the Allmans were pretty good when I heard them on the radio in 1973 but didn't really get into Southern Rock, so I lumped them with Lynyrd Skynyrd and the rest. Upon more careful listening in my 40s, I realized they were more like a jazz-rock-blues fusion—intricate melodies, complex rhythms and astonishing musicianship. Live at Fillmore East is one of the greatest albums in any genre.
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posted by Johnny Wallflower at 8:53 PM on May 27, 2017 [3 favorites]
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posted by Johnny Wallflower at 8:53 PM on May 27, 2017 [3 favorites]
A friend sent me a burn of Live at Fillmore East ten years ago - said friend really liked Duane Allman - but my favorite Allman Bros song is Midnight Rider. That song sounds like it was excavated rather than composed.
posted by goofyfoot at 9:12 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by goofyfoot at 9:12 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
All artists of any stripe must henceforward go from age 68 to age 70. There's something creepy going on.
posted by tzikeh at 9:15 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by tzikeh at 9:15 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
' Although he claimed the term was redundant, singer-keyboardist Gregg Allman helped create the first great "Southern-rock"...'
This makes me smile.
I didn't know about him and Cher. Never, ever would have guessed.
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posted by fueling depth at 11:48 PM on May 27, 2017
This makes me smile.
I didn't know about him and Cher. Never, ever would have guessed.
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posted by fueling depth at 11:48 PM on May 27, 2017
#Soulshine
posted by fueling depth at 11:49 PM on May 27, 2017
posted by fueling depth at 11:49 PM on May 27, 2017
I didn't know about him and Cher.
Then I'll bet you didn't know about this either.
posted by Paul Slade at 1:37 AM on May 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
Then I'll bet you didn't know about this either.
posted by Paul Slade at 1:37 AM on May 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
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posted by Mister Bijou at 1:44 AM on May 28, 2017
posted by Mister Bijou at 1:44 AM on May 28, 2017
Well, I know what's going on the turntable later today.
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posted by Thorzdad at 4:08 AM on May 28, 2017
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posted by Thorzdad at 4:08 AM on May 28, 2017
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In the early 90s, as the Dead scene got more & more out of hand I transitioned over into seeing lots of Allman shows. At that time Warren Haynes was playing with them, and they were really rejuvinated. Great shows.
posted by Burgoo at 4:18 AM on May 28, 2017
In the early 90s, as the Dead scene got more & more out of hand I transitioned over into seeing lots of Allman shows. At that time Warren Haynes was playing with them, and they were really rejuvinated. Great shows.
posted by Burgoo at 4:18 AM on May 28, 2017
GarrrrgggHHHH! This whole "Southern Rock" thing was a Phil Walden-Capricorn Records-created monstrosity, of which, in a proper world, the ABB would have been the first, best, and sole representative. His (Walden's) marketing acumen sort of placed that group as the Beatles in his version of an analog to the Liverpool Sound-British Invasion phenomenon he felt he was creating. Johnny Wallflower above nails what they (The Allmans) were actually about. If The Police were The Weather Report of rock, as some critics had them, then the The Allman Brothers Band were, I think, the Miles Davis-Bitches Brew of rock.
Greg often found himself on, perhaps, the "wrong" sides of several cultural divides, but he was a big part of a spark of genius that keeps us coming back to music, imo.
posted by Chitownfats at 4:40 AM on May 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
Greg often found himself on, perhaps, the "wrong" sides of several cultural divides, but he was a big part of a spark of genius that keeps us coming back to music, imo.
posted by Chitownfats at 4:40 AM on May 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
I didn't know about him and Cher. Never, ever would have guessed.
They have a kid together too.
posted by octothorpe at 5:39 AM on May 28, 2017
They have a kid together too.
posted by octothorpe at 5:39 AM on May 28, 2017
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Jimmy Carter & Gregg Allman’s story goes way back. And it involves Cher
Over the weekend, Jimmy Carter helped award an honorary doctorate to Gregg Allman at Mercer University’s commencement ceremony in Macon.
[...]
Gregg Allman and the Allman Brothers just about put me in the White House,” he continued. “They were the best fundraisers that we had. In those days, they would charge somebody $15 to come hear them play. And we were getting the whole $15 plus 15 more matching dollars! So we got $30 every time someone came to hear the Allman Brothers Band play. And Cher came along with Gregg … They were married for a brief time as you may remember.”
The generosity didn’t just flow one way: In 1974, Carter invited Allman to a party he was hosting for Bob Dylan at the Governor’s Mansion on West Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. And in January 1977, the Allman Brothers Band were guests at Carters’ Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:01 AM on May 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
Jimmy Carter & Gregg Allman’s story goes way back. And it involves Cher
Over the weekend, Jimmy Carter helped award an honorary doctorate to Gregg Allman at Mercer University’s commencement ceremony in Macon.
[...]
Gregg Allman and the Allman Brothers just about put me in the White House,” he continued. “They were the best fundraisers that we had. In those days, they would charge somebody $15 to come hear them play. And we were getting the whole $15 plus 15 more matching dollars! So we got $30 every time someone came to hear the Allman Brothers Band play. And Cher came along with Gregg … They were married for a brief time as you may remember.”
The generosity didn’t just flow one way: In 1974, Carter invited Allman to a party he was hosting for Bob Dylan at the Governor’s Mansion on West Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. And in January 1977, the Allman Brothers Band were guests at Carters’ Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:01 AM on May 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
I loved his music. But man, did I get sick of drunk guys in bars trying to croon, "Melissa" (my name) to me in various bars and parties over the years.
posted by agatha_magatha at 9:02 AM on May 28, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by agatha_magatha at 9:02 AM on May 28, 2017 [4 favorites]
I liked their talent, their composition and their technical ability to craft music. I could hear everything in their music that I was supposed to like. I just didnt... Greg Allman's music taught me that even if something was conceptually beautiful and masterful - that I didn't have to like it.
I mean really. I can appreciate their craft and still hate their music... it was liberating to find that out.
For that realization, thank you Mr. Allman.
posted by Nanukthedog at 9:09 AM on May 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
I mean really. I can appreciate their craft and still hate their music... it was liberating to find that out.
For that realization, thank you Mr. Allman.
posted by Nanukthedog at 9:09 AM on May 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
The Allman Brothers Band were, I think, the Miles Davis-Bitches Brew of rock.
more or less.
I still say that nobody has ever ended a song as well as the Allmans.
posted by philip-random at 1:16 PM on May 28, 2017
more or less.
I still say that nobody has ever ended a song as well as the Allmans.
posted by philip-random at 1:16 PM on May 28, 2017
My buddy and I went to The Castaway Club in St. Louis to see a band called The Hourglass. After they finished playing, they swapped stories with us for a good half hour about the music, gear, and the troubles involved with being in a band. I always remember how warm and friendly Duane and Greg were to couple of college kids. One of my favorite memories of the 60s.
posted by Enron Hubbard at 1:26 PM on May 28, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Enron Hubbard at 1:26 PM on May 28, 2017 [4 favorites]
The ABB were one of those acts that transcended genre. They were that rare bird that synthesizes a half dozen schools of music and a considerable amount of influences into one whole, swinging between them with ease and all the while being able to turn on a dime live, especially when Duane was alive and then again when Warren and Derek took over the guitar chores. I just listened to some of the later Beacon Theater stuff and they just don't let up.
We're lucky that so much live Allmans material is available. There's so many legacy rock acts that are either incompetent at issuing the stuff or just indifferent.
posted by Ber at 1:58 PM on May 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
We're lucky that so much live Allmans material is available. There's so many legacy rock acts that are either incompetent at issuing the stuff or just indifferent.
posted by Ber at 1:58 PM on May 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
I can appreciate their craft and still hate their music
In my head, that's the name of every solo jazz guitar album ever.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 2:38 PM on May 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
In my head, that's the name of every solo jazz guitar album ever.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 2:38 PM on May 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
lots of updates on jambands.com which include words by lots of people who work/sang/rocked out with him.
posted by danep at 4:30 PM on May 28, 2017
posted by danep at 4:30 PM on May 28, 2017
I lumped them with Lynyrd Skynyrd and the rest
Like the Allman Brothers, the original-lineup Lynyrd Skynyrd was great.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:01 PM on May 28, 2017
My first thought was- I wonder if Cher is sad? This one was always a favorite
posted by LuckyMonkey21 at 10:46 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by LuckyMonkey21 at 10:46 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Bob Lefsetz on Gregg Allman. Lefsetz writes a well read music industry newsletter/blog.
posted by AugustWest at 11:11 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by AugustWest at 11:11 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
My first thought was- I wonder if Cher is sad?
She sounds devastated, but has some wonderful things to say about him.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:15 AM on May 29, 2017 [2 favorites]
She sounds devastated, but has some wonderful things to say about him.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:15 AM on May 29, 2017 [2 favorites]
.
posted by Malingering Hector at 10:01 AM on May 29, 2017
posted by Malingering Hector at 10:01 AM on May 29, 2017
In my bar on Broadway and 231st listening to the Allmans with a bunch a old barflies. Almost all of them nodded sadly when Whipping Post came on, then just grooved.
*downs shot of Jack*
posted by jonmc at 11:23 AM on May 29, 2017 [2 favorites]
*downs shot of Jack*
posted by jonmc at 11:23 AM on May 29, 2017 [2 favorites]
Aw hell.
Just now I was listening to Soulshine 2007 when I got the word that a childhood friend passed away overnight. She was relentlessly positive and the lyrics could have been her creed.
Tonight I'll raise a glass to those passed - both known and revered.
posted by djeo at 1:07 PM on May 29, 2017
Just now I was listening to Soulshine 2007 when I got the word that a childhood friend passed away overnight. She was relentlessly positive and the lyrics could have been her creed.
Tonight I'll raise a glass to those passed - both known and revered.
posted by djeo at 1:07 PM on May 29, 2017
.
posted by oneironaut at 1:08 PM on May 29, 2017
posted by oneironaut at 1:08 PM on May 29, 2017
It's pretty shallow* to tag the Allman Brothers Band with the label "Southern Rock" if by that term we mean Lynyrd Skynyrd and all the guitar boogie blue collar playing with bandaged hands after brawling with your bandmate bros southern culture on the skids confederate flag hanging bands that followed them in the mid-1970s.
For one, the Allmans were of a slightly earlier era, its members a few years older. The Allmans were all but done by the time any of those other bands made the scene. Duane Allman and Berry Oakley were dead before a single Skynyrd, Outlaws, Marshall Tucker, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, or XXVIII Special track was recorded.
The Allmans music shows a far more eclectic set of influences. None of those other bands seem to have much jazz or indeed any sort of syncopation in their music. There are no black people in any of those other bands. None of those bands made their reputation playing extended versions of blues standards live. There's not much evidence of those other bands being influenced by the likes of B. B. King, T-Bone Walker, or Taj Mahal.
I'm pretty sure none of those other bands have members who made their bones playing on records backing up Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, or Herbie Mannn. It was Duane Allman who persuaded Pickett to record "Hey Jude". Pickett liked the results so much it became the title track for the album, and a R&B hit in 1968.
I suppose there is a superficial similarity between "Free Bird" or "Green Grass and High Tides" and, say, "Whipping Post" in that the bands all have more than one lead guitar player, and the songs all feature long multi-player guitar solos.
Leaving aside time signatures and all that -- the impression of stylistic similarity does not hold up to scrutiny. There's a universe of difference between what Allman and Betts had to say for ten minutes and what Rossington, Collins, and all the others were able to tell us in the same stretch of time. Two lead guitar players plus long solos plus being from the south does not equal a genre.
Finally, listen to Gregg's voice. That's an R&B voice. That's a Ray Charles voice. The vocals in these other bands have more to do with Hank Williams than Ray Charles. I love both of those singers, but they're not the same guy.
Being a fan of the 1969 ABB does not make me a fan of the 1975 Skynyrd. The Allman Brothers Band was an American band. They played rock. They were from the American south. They were not a 'Southern Rock' band.
PS: "Rambling Man" has next to nothing to do with Gregg Allman. Dickey Betts wrote it and sings it; Gregg barely plays on it.
PPS: And yeah, that Lefsetz thing is pretty good.
.
--------------------------------------------------------------
* I'm not talking about casual listeners who might've been born years after the band's heyday. I'm griefing lazy 'music writers' who should know better.
posted by Herodios at 4:12 PM on May 29, 2017 [5 favorites]
For one, the Allmans were of a slightly earlier era, its members a few years older. The Allmans were all but done by the time any of those other bands made the scene. Duane Allman and Berry Oakley were dead before a single Skynyrd, Outlaws, Marshall Tucker, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, or XXVIII Special track was recorded.
The Allmans music shows a far more eclectic set of influences. None of those other bands seem to have much jazz or indeed any sort of syncopation in their music. There are no black people in any of those other bands. None of those bands made their reputation playing extended versions of blues standards live. There's not much evidence of those other bands being influenced by the likes of B. B. King, T-Bone Walker, or Taj Mahal.
I'm pretty sure none of those other bands have members who made their bones playing on records backing up Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, or Herbie Mannn. It was Duane Allman who persuaded Pickett to record "Hey Jude". Pickett liked the results so much it became the title track for the album, and a R&B hit in 1968.
I suppose there is a superficial similarity between "Free Bird" or "Green Grass and High Tides" and, say, "Whipping Post" in that the bands all have more than one lead guitar player, and the songs all feature long multi-player guitar solos.
Leaving aside time signatures and all that -- the impression of stylistic similarity does not hold up to scrutiny. There's a universe of difference between what Allman and Betts had to say for ten minutes and what Rossington, Collins, and all the others were able to tell us in the same stretch of time. Two lead guitar players plus long solos plus being from the south does not equal a genre.
Finally, listen to Gregg's voice. That's an R&B voice. That's a Ray Charles voice. The vocals in these other bands have more to do with Hank Williams than Ray Charles. I love both of those singers, but they're not the same guy.
Being a fan of the 1969 ABB does not make me a fan of the 1975 Skynyrd. The Allman Brothers Band was an American band. They played rock. They were from the American south. They were not a 'Southern Rock' band.
PS: "Rambling Man" has next to nothing to do with Gregg Allman. Dickey Betts wrote it and sings it; Gregg barely plays on it.
PPS: And yeah, that Lefsetz thing is pretty good.
.
--------------------------------------------------------------
* I'm not talking about casual listeners who might've been born years after the band's heyday. I'm griefing lazy 'music writers' who should know better.
posted by Herodios at 4:12 PM on May 29, 2017 [5 favorites]
It's pretty shallow* to tag the Allman Brothers Band with the label "Southern Rock" if by that term we mean Lynyrd Skynyrd and all the guitar boogie blue collar playing with bandaged hands after brawling with your bandmate bros southern culture on the skids confederate flag hanging bands that followed them in the mid-1970s
You really ought to listen to some Southern Culture On The Skids before so casually lumping them in with .28 [sic] Special and other Southern Rock bands who you deem to be beneath notice.
posted by thelonius at 6:49 AM on May 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
You really ought to listen to some Southern Culture On The Skids before so casually lumping them in with .28 [sic] Special and other Southern Rock bands who you deem to be beneath notice.
posted by thelonius at 6:49 AM on May 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Thelonius, I made no mention of the band SCOTS. But since you brought them up, have enjoyed them live and on record for some years.
"XXVIII" was a typo. I was simply trying to subvert the reference to a handgun in the band's name.
I don't see where you got the idea I thought these other bands were "beneath my notice". I think it's fairly obvious I've noticed them. I noticed that they were similar to each other in a number of ways that made them differ from ABB. I arrived at this by listening to them. I've listened to them all.
I have also played their songs with my own bands. Off the top of my head: Free Bird, That Smell, Whiskey Rock-a-Roller, Gimme Three Steps, Take The Highway, Fire On The Mountain, Can't You See, Heard it in a Love Song, Highway Song, Train Train, Green Grass and High Tides Forareallylongtime, Hurry Sundown . . . I am intimately familiar with this material.
I've noticed Kenny G too, but I don't think just because he plays a soprano saxophone that he's doing the same thing as John Coltrane.
Or to take another analogy, if ABB is the Beatles, these other bands are The Dave Clark Five, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and so on. (I noticed those bands, too.) Skynyrd and Marshall Tucker might rise to the level of the Zombies or Manfred Mann by comparison, but I don't think you've even got a comparative Stones or Who in that group.
posted by Herodios at 8:28 AM on May 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
"XXVIII" was a typo. I was simply trying to subvert the reference to a handgun in the band's name.
I don't see where you got the idea I thought these other bands were "beneath my notice". I think it's fairly obvious I've noticed them. I noticed that they were similar to each other in a number of ways that made them differ from ABB. I arrived at this by listening to them. I've listened to them all.
I have also played their songs with my own bands. Off the top of my head: Free Bird, That Smell, Whiskey Rock-a-Roller, Gimme Three Steps, Take The Highway, Fire On The Mountain, Can't You See, Heard it in a Love Song, Highway Song, Train Train, Green Grass and High Tides Forareallylongtime, Hurry Sundown . . . I am intimately familiar with this material.
I've noticed Kenny G too, but I don't think just because he plays a soprano saxophone that he's doing the same thing as John Coltrane.
Or to take another analogy, if ABB is the Beatles, these other bands are The Dave Clark Five, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and so on. (I noticed those bands, too.) Skynyrd and Marshall Tucker might rise to the level of the Zombies or Manfred Mann by comparison, but I don't think you've even got a comparative Stones or Who in that group.
posted by Herodios at 8:28 AM on May 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
You really ought to listen to some Southern Culture On The Skids before so casually lumping them in with
point taken thelonius ...
But what Herodios still mostly stands. I certainly grew up rather bemused by the experts continued need to comfortably file the Allmans away as something they weren't (deep-fried countrified rawk and roll), particularly the Duane Allman era of the band, who I'm still waiting to hear someone else measure up to in terms of concocting a not just edible but downright delicious and deeply nutritious stew that lists too many ingredients to name, but foremost among them: country and city blues, deep soul, the outer reaches of jazz, and oh yeah, rock 'n' roll.
posted by philip-random at 8:36 AM on May 31, 2017
point taken thelonius ...
But what Herodios still mostly stands. I certainly grew up rather bemused by the experts continued need to comfortably file the Allmans away as something they weren't (deep-fried countrified rawk and roll), particularly the Duane Allman era of the band, who I'm still waiting to hear someone else measure up to in terms of concocting a not just edible but downright delicious and deeply nutritious stew that lists too many ingredients to name, but foremost among them: country and city blues, deep soul, the outer reaches of jazz, and oh yeah, rock 'n' roll.
posted by philip-random at 8:36 AM on May 31, 2017
I live in Macon, Georgia, home of the Big House (now a museum) and where much of this music happened for a time. The funeral has been announced for this Saturday. It's private, but fans are asked to line up along the route from the church to the funeral, if they want to pay their respects.
For those of you who are fans, and in reference to the discussion of how they're different from that traditional southern rock style that people think of, you might be interested in streaming our local radio station, The Creek.
posted by bizzyb at 9:34 AM on May 31, 2017
For those of you who are fans, and in reference to the discussion of how they're different from that traditional southern rock style that people think of, you might be interested in streaming our local radio station, The Creek.
posted by bizzyb at 9:34 AM on May 31, 2017
you might be interested in streaming our local radio station, The Creek.
Thanks, Bizzyb. I have had The Creek recommended to me elsewhere; I'll definitely check it out now.
I'm still waiting to hear someone else measure up to [Duane Allman] in terms of concocting a not just edible but downright delicious and deeply nutritious stew that lists too many ingredients to name, but foremost among them: country and city blues, deep soul, the outer reaches of jazz, and oh yeah, rock 'n' roll.
Duane and Gregg Allman, like Lennon and McCartney and less obviously Bob Dylan were sponges with ears, absorbing anything and everything musical they encountered. You can hear it all in the hard-to-categorise music each created.
Expressing this 'stew' as a soloist -- you do get that with the great jazz soloists: the high and low, secular and sanctified, deceptively simple and insanely complex.
But it's somehow actually harder to pull off in a rock context. Rock broadly speaking has other priorities for you. Few have the nous to resist and do something like quoting Donovan's "There is a Mountain" -- and then creating a half-hour jam out of it.
Being the hot instrumental soloist was never Gregg Allman's role. But he was not only the voice of the band; as songwriter, Gregg was Lennon to Betts' McCartney (I believe the band recorded only one song written by Duane).
It's pretty clear in hindsight tho' that it was Duane who gave the rest of the band the confidence to cook that stew.
posted by Herodios at 9:44 AM on May 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Thanks, Bizzyb. I have had The Creek recommended to me elsewhere; I'll definitely check it out now.
I'm still waiting to hear someone else measure up to [Duane Allman] in terms of concocting a not just edible but downright delicious and deeply nutritious stew that lists too many ingredients to name, but foremost among them: country and city blues, deep soul, the outer reaches of jazz, and oh yeah, rock 'n' roll.
Duane and Gregg Allman, like Lennon and McCartney and less obviously Bob Dylan were sponges with ears, absorbing anything and everything musical they encountered. You can hear it all in the hard-to-categorise music each created.
Expressing this 'stew' as a soloist -- you do get that with the great jazz soloists: the high and low, secular and sanctified, deceptively simple and insanely complex.
But it's somehow actually harder to pull off in a rock context. Rock broadly speaking has other priorities for you. Few have the nous to resist and do something like quoting Donovan's "There is a Mountain" -- and then creating a half-hour jam out of it.
Being the hot instrumental soloist was never Gregg Allman's role. But he was not only the voice of the band; as songwriter, Gregg was Lennon to Betts' McCartney (I believe the band recorded only one song written by Duane).
It's pretty clear in hindsight tho' that it was Duane who gave the rest of the band the confidence to cook that stew.
posted by Herodios at 9:44 AM on May 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
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posted by allthinky at 1:01 PM on May 27, 2017