Allman Brothers

The REAL greatest southern rock band of all time. The Allman Brothers were a blues-rock band from Macon, Georgia. There were actually only two real "Allman brothers" in the band, Duane (the 2nd greatest guitarist of all time, according to Rolling Stone), and Gregg, who played organ. The other members were lead guitarist Dickey Betts, bassist Berry Oakley, and drummers Butch Trucks and Jaimoe Johanson. Sadly, Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1971, and Berry Oakley met the same fate just a year later. The remaining members stumbled along until the early '80s, when they dissolved due to infighting and drug abuse. They reunited with several new members in 1989, and continue to tour. In 2000, Dickey Betts was fired because of his alcoholism, and the band has continued without him.

The Allman Brothers are a liquid poetry, thrums of the guitar strumming over you. Your own personal connection to the mystic, yours for this night only. Running down your arms and legs, licks a delicious delight. You are caught up in the drive of the guitars, those phantasmic twin guitars, but then you notice the bass. Actually, you don't hear it unless you really listen, actually it's the bass that pulls the song along. Keeping time and sending us the sweetest of vibrations. Did I say keyboards? Gregg's moody touches on his keys punctuating, emphasizing. And JABUMA! Jabuma, Jabuma! Sounds just like what it is, the percussion section, the freakin' percussion section. Can you deny it? Their drums, triple threat, pull you up in a wave and send you along the beat. Nothing better than a good drum solo. The Allmans? They are my heartbeat. I live for the first few notes of Jessica, knowing that I get to hear at least 15 minutes more of joy. The Allmans woke my soul. That's how I define them.

Great southern rock and blues band. Big hits included 'Ramblin' Man', 'Jessica', and 'Melissa'. Suffered a huge loss when slide guitar player Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1971.