The Allman Brothers Band

The Allman Brothers are the band that defines the genre known as southern rock, which is best heard on their seminal live album At Fillmore East.

Formed by Duane Allman and Gregg Allman in 1969, they released an eponymous debut album that year which went down well with critics, but wasn’t a success with the public. Idlewild South (1970) was a little more radio-friendly, and another big hit with reviewers, but it was their 1971 live album At Fillmore East that cemented their reputation. Known as one of the top live albums of all time, it showcased their jazz-influenced blues-rock jamming on songs like the 22-minute long “Whipping Post”.

Shortly afterwards, Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle crash. A year later, bassist Berry Oakley was also killed in a motorcycle crash, near the location of Duane Allman’s accident. Despite these tragedies, the band continued to release critically acclaimed and successful albums including Eat a Peach (1972) and Brothers and Sisters (1973). However, the next few years saw personality clashes and drug problems tear the group apart. When Gregg Allman was arrested on drug charges in 1976, he agreed to testify against a close friend of the band. That decision caused the other band members to refuse to work with Gregg Allman again, and the group split up.

However, they reunited just two years later, and continued to collaborate and tour occasionally throughout the 80s, with myriad line-up changes over the years. Another reformation in the 90s was extremely successful, as they recorded a handful of strong albums and continued to tour.