Allman Brothers

The Allman Brothers Band is a pioneering and innovative Southern rock and blues group from Macon, Georgia originally popular in the 1970s, described by Rolling Stone's George Kimball in 1971 as "the best damn rock and roll band this country has produced in the past five years" . more...

Band History

Beginnings

The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1969, and consisted of Duane Allman (slide guitar and lead guitar), Gregg Allman (vocals, organ), Dickey Betts (lead guitar, vocals), Berry Oakley (bass guitar), Butch Trucks (drums) and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson (drums).

The actual Allman Brothers, Duane and Gregg, had originally been in a garage band called the Escorts, then the Allman Joys and finally the Hour Glass. The Hour Glass had released two failed albums from Liberty Records. They were all released from the contract except Gregg, who Liberty thought might have some commercial potential. Duane Allman, with a stint as a session guitarist in Muscle Shoals, Alabama on Johnny Jenkins Ton-Ton Macoute album behind him (it was to be Duane's first solo album before the ABB was formed), started jamming with Dickey Betts, Butch Trucks and Berry Oakley in Jacksonville. Duane brought in Jaimoe, a drummer he had played with before and the nucleus of the band was formed. Gregg was in Los Angeles, fulfilling the HourGlass contract with Liberty Records. He was summoned back to Jacksonville by Duane to "fill out the band and sing."

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