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A fond farewell to The Allman Brothers Band

Well, this is it folks..... Tonight's concert at the beautiful Beacon Theater in New York City is the last performance by one of the best American rock bands to ever take the stage. Forty five years after we first heard the beautiful guitars of Duane Allman and Dickey Betts, the rhythmic bass of Berry Oakley, the percussive interplay of Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny Johanson (Jaimoe), and the incredible soulful voice and organ wizardry of Gregg Allman, the band is finally and officially calling it quits. Bravo boys .... it's been an absolutely fabulous ride !

I first saw the Allman Brothers Band in 1971 at the old Philadelphia Spectrum, where they were the opening act for Johnny Winter. I was a tenth grader, and was immediately hypnotized by Duane and Dickey trading licks on "Whipping Post" and "Statesboro Blues," Gregg singing the blues on "Done Somebody Wrong" and "Stormy Monday," Berry pounding the bass line on "Revival," and Butch and Jai Johnny drumming up a storm on "Elizabeth Reed."

I have since seen them about a million times, through many line-ups. Always, always, always ..... a great show by incredible musicians. Thanks to Chuck, Lamar, Warren, Derek, Marc, Oteil, and many others for taking the stage after the passing of Duane and Berry, and the exit of Dickey. You guys have always shown the utmost talent and togetherness, and it's been a tremendous pleasure enjoying the music with you all these years. Happily, via the internet and a wealth of wonderful records and CD's, the legacy of the band will continue. The music goes on forever, even as the road comes to an end. Thank you boys, from the bottom of my heart, for forty five years of happiness.
The Allman Brothers Band ..... one of the best bands ever !
adam18
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
And now no more Jack Bruce. What a week.
Post removed 
maxnewid
449 posts
 
Well said Adam. The brothers have been a favorite for many years. I have seen them live in many incarnations as well and also have enjoyed some of the spin off projects like Sea Level. Years ago, I went to the old Moonshadow Saloon in Atlanta and saw a band called BHLT. It was Dickey Betts, Jimmy Hall, Butch Trucks, and Chuck Leavell playing countrified jazz fusion kind of like Sea Level. Basically they were just talented musicians having a good time. From a recording standpoint, other than the obvious (Eat A Peach, Fillmore East, etc.), I highly recommend the live recordings from their various appearances at the New Orleans Jazzfest. One of my system reference songs is "High Falls" from the "Win, Loose, or Draw" album. It is a Dickey Betts penned instrumental that has really complex percussion interaction between Jai Johnny and Butch. Not to forget a sweet Leavell electric piano solo and completed by a scorching Dickey Betts' guitar solo. With Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, and of course Duane in the band at various times, I think that Betts is often overlooked for contributing some of the most memorable licks and distinctive style the Brothers are known for.
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
soon their records cds will become pricey, so all fans need to rush!
adam18 OP
670 posts
 
Nice comments Max ..... Very cool to hear about BHLT. That must have been a great evening. I agree with you about "High Falls" being a wonderful song and a terrific reference recording. Dickey Betts is a gifted songwriter and a very talented guitar player .... just too bad how he left the band under difficult circumstances. I saw the boys in one of the first shows after Berry died. Nassau Coliseum with the introduction of Lamar on bass and Chuck on piano. Dickey under the spotlights on center stage playing perhaps the best licks of his career, absolutely awesome with Chuck on piano doing one of the first performances of "Jessica", into "Southbound" and "Pony Boy." Wow, man, the band was really cooking that night !
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