Legendary singer and musician Gregg Allman passed away Saturday at the age of 69. Allman’s music often goes underappreciated due to the sheer volume of great rock and roll bands during his era. But, The Allman Brothers Band were true pioneers of the Southern-Rock genre, influencing acts such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Marshall Tucker Band.
Allman’s website posted a long tribute over the weekend remembering Gregg, “Gregg struggled with many health issues over the past several years. During that time, Gregg considered being on the road playing music with his brothers and solo band for his beloved fans, essential medicine for his soul. Playing music lifted him up and kept him going during the toughest of times.”
Gregg Allman grew up in Daytona Beach learning music with his brother Duane. After saving up and buying a guitar as a kid, Gregg and Duane shared the instrument which strengthened their bond more than ever. Gregg eventually switched to playing the organ due to his brother’s talent on the guitar. Surprisingly, Gregg Allman’s passion did not end with music. Allman almost left the band after an unsuccessful stretch to follow his real passion – to become a dentist. Gregg Allman told Clash Magazine back in 2011, “I mean, a couple of times I got real discouraged and thought, ‘Man, why don’t I just go back to med school and just say it was fun while it lasted.”
The Allman Brothers Band have always been noted as one of the greatest live performing bands of all time. The band’s first major success came with their 1971 live album At Fillmore East, which concludes with Gregg singing a 23-minute version of ‘Whipping Post’. After his brother Duane’s unfortunate death right as the band was gaining popularity, Gregg decided to honor his brother’s legacy by continuing to make music with the band.
The Allman Brothers Band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, along with winning the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for their song ‘Jessica’. Gregg was placed at number 70 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.
The family suggests that tributes to Gregg can be made to the Gregg Allman Scholarship Fund at The University of Georgia or the Allman/Lehman Endowed Scholarship at Syracuse University.
–Mark Goodwin, Music Correspondent
