When talking about the late Gregg Allman, six studio albums, two live releases and 13 singles doesn’t begin to tell the story of this music legend. After battling health issues, he died May 27, 2017 at age 69.
The Allmans grew up in Daytona Beach, Florida. Gregg was first to pick up the guitar, but his brother Duane soon surpassed him, dropping out of high school to practice constantly. The two started a band, The Escorts which evolved into the Allman Joys. In 1967 the group moved to Los Angeles, changed their name to the Hour Glass and made two records for Liberty Records. Over time, the unit became a six-piece group and eventually decided to name themselves the Allman Brothers Band and record for Capricorn Records in 1969.
Brother Duane Allman on slide guitar and lead guitar, decided that Gregg Allman would be the best soulful singer for the band and play keyboards and contribute songs. After two albums, a motorcycle accident killed Duane before he could hear his brother’s continued success.
Gregg Allman released his debut studio album, Laid Back, in 1973; it charted at number 13 on Billboard’s Top Pop Albums chart and went gold. His subsequent solo releases, including the live album The Gregg Allman Tour (1974), Playin’ Up a Storm (1977), and the collaboration Two the Hard Way (1977) with Cher, did not fare well on charts or in sales.
In 1987, Gregg was signed to Epic Records, and his third solo album, I’m No Angel, went gold on the strength of its title track. His next two solo albums, Just Before the Bullets Fly (1988) and Searching for Simplicity (1997), did not perform well.
Allman’s final studio album released during his lifetime, Low Country Blues (2011), represented his biggest chart positions, including at number five in the US. A posthumous studio album, Southern Blood, is forthcoming and scheduled for release September 8th.
Throughout his life, Allman struggled with alcohol and substance abuse, which formed the basis of his acclaimed memoir “My Cross to Bear” (2012).
Critics recognized his voice and songs as a Southern rock pioneer and received numerous awards, including several Grammys; he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. His distinctive voice placed him in 70th place in the Rolling Stone list of the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time.”
Check out the video documenting his last album “Southern Blood” set for release this September.
Artist website: GreggAllman.com
Discography
Laid Back (1973)
Playin’ Up A Storm (1977)
I’m No Angel (1987)
Just Before The Bullets Fly (1988)
Searching For Simplicity (1997)
Low Country Blues (2011)
Southern Blood (2017)
Video