May 27, 2017 — Gregg Allman died today at the age of 69. Likely liver failure. The end of an era, the end of a band of blues, rock and even jazz. At the beginning was Duane Allman; he died in 1971 of a motorcycle accident in Macon, Georgia followed a year later almost to the date of their one-time R&B bassist Berry Oakley in a motorcycle accident just blocks from where Duane died. They struggled, forged forward, shut the band down as they seemed to do the same with themselves with uncontrollable drug habits that sent Gregg to the hospital at least two times close to death from an overdose of narcotics. For virtually an entire generation the band struggled on until it finally jelled once more with the dual guitar sound of Derek Trucks, nephew of founding member/drummer Butch Trucks and Warren Haynes. Add to that the jazz bass sound of Oteil Burbridge (taking the place of Berry Oakley) and you have the modern day Allman Brothers Band which remained one of the best bands in the country.
I was drawn to its extemporaneous, improvisational sound that had a blues, jazz and rock combination that set them far apart from any of the bands in 1969. My twin brother and I were hooked on the Allman Brothers sound when we lived in Nashville, TN, the birthplace of and frequent stop for Gregg over 69 years. “Live at Fillmore East” became the best live blues, rock album of the 70s followed by Billboard hits written by Gregg and Dickie Betts. It was the drugs and the constant pain that drove them apart. But brother Gregg kept on jamming and the Allman Brothers Band became a dominant force in modern-day rock/blues and what some call southern rock {a category Gregg rejected: I hate it, the only good thing about it was we had our own slot in the record shop. I don’t know why they came up with 72 different f—ing genres of music. Like, alternative. Alternative to what? To music?}
Gregg had a liver transplant seven years ago, straining to keep his body going, pumped up by the music. So, when I put on “Live at Fillmore East” and hear “Okay, the Allman Brothers Band” I’ll kick it up like I always do. Thank you for the ride, Gregg. It’s said the last song he sang was “One Way Out.” I guess it was, but we all are still with him.
—Stephen Braunginn, co-host of Strictly Jazz Sounds, Thursdays, 2-5 pm on WORT.
