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| The Allman Brothers Band |
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THE ALLMAN BROTHERS
The band was formed by guitarist Duane Allman, a session man for artists including Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett. Duane and his brother, vocalist and keyboardist Gregg Allman, first formed a garage rock n roll band called the Escorts in 1966. They then became a blues band and were called the Allman Joys. After that they formed a soul group called Hour Glass in '67 and recorded and released two albums. Even though these albums got good reviews they didn't sell and the band broke up in '68. Duane formed the Allman Bros. in 1969 with fellow guitarist Richard 'Dickie' Betts, bassist Berry Oakley, and two drummers, Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny Johanson. But the band was in need of a lead singer and after several months Gregg agreed to join the rest. They signed a deal with Capricorn records. Their first album, The Allman Brothers Band, got great reviews but at first didn't sell so well. One song on the album, "Whipping Post" would later become one of their most loved live numbers for years to come. On the road they were known for long jams and were an instant draw. Their next album released in 1970, Idlewild South, sold better. It contained a few more soon to be concert favorites, leading the way with the songs "Midnight Rider" and "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed". 1971's double album Live At The Fillmore East, would turn out to be considered one of rocks best ever live albums. It highlighted the great guitar interplay between Duane and Betts, also some great slide guitar by Duane and powerful vocals from his brother Gregg. Three months after Fillmore East was issued, Duane was badly injured in a motorcycle accident with a peach truck on October 29 1971. He refused any treatment and returned to his home where he died a couple of hours later. The band finished it up Eat A Peach as a five piece band with Betts taking over the rest of the lead guitar parts. It included the live 33-minute "Mountain Jam" (based on Donovan's "There Is a Mountain"). On the album's cover was a drawing of an old peach truck with one mammoth peach in memory of Duane. The Allman Brothers added a second pianist, Chuck Leavell to their lineup. Then, a year later, Oakley was also killed in a chillingly similar motorcycle accident, just a few blocks from where Duane had his. The band had just started work on their new album with the song "Ramblin Man" being Oakley's last contribution. They recruited bassist Lamar Williams to take his place. The resulting album, Brothers And Sisters, released August 1, 1973, went to number one on the charts and "Ramblin Man" was a hit single reaching number two on the single's chart. t, would turn out to be considered one of rocks best ever live albums. It highlighted the great guitar interplay between Duane and Betts, also some great slide guitar by Duane and powerful vocals from his brother Gregg. Three months after Fillmore East was issued, Duane was badly injured in a motorcycle accident with a peach truck on October 29 1971. He refused any treatment and returned to his home where he died a couple of hours later. The band finished it up Eat A Peach as a five piece band with Betts taking over the rest of the lead guitar parts. It included the live 33-minute "Mountain Jam" (based on Donovan's "There Is a Mountain"). On the album's cover was a drawing of an old peach truck with one mammoth peach in memory of Duane. The Allman Brothers added a second pianist, Chuck Leavell to their lineup. Then, a year later, Oakley was also killed in a chillingly similar motorcycle accident, just a few blocks from where Duane had his. The band had just started work on their new album with the song "Ramblin Man" being Oakley's last contribution. They recruited bassist Lamar Williams to take his place. The resulting album, Brothers And Sisters, released August 1, 1973, went to number one on the charts and "Ramblin Man" was a hit single reaching number two on the single's chart.
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