Gregg Allman, RIP

Gregg Allman, southern rock legend, founding member of The Allman

Brothers Band, passed away peacefully at his home in Savannah, Georgia on Friday

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’s long time manager and close friend, NJ's Michael Lehman said of Mr Allman's passing, “I have lost a dear friend and the world has lost a brilliant pioneer in music. He was a kind and gentle soul with the best laugh I ever heard. His love for his family and bandmates was passionate as was the love he had for his extraordinary fans. Gregg was an incredible partner and an even better friend. We will all miss him.”

Allman Bros' Butch Trucks Dead at 69

The founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, passed away last night at his home in West Palm Beach, FL he was 69.  The drummer, along with Allman Brothers Gregg and Duane, Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley and drummer Jai Johanny Johanson, formed the group in the late ’60s.

 

An Allman Brothers Band representative released the following announcement:

Butch Trucks, a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, tragically died the night of January 24 in West Palm Beach, Florida.  His wife, four children, four grandchildren and all of the Allman Brothers Band, their families and Road Crew survive Butch.  The Trucks and Allman Brothers Band families request all of Butch's friends and fans to please respect our privacy at this time of sadness for our loss.  Butch will play on in our hearts forever.

Donations and remembrances in Butch's name can be made to The Big House Museum in Macon, GA. TheBigHousemuseum.com.

"Gregg Allman Live: Back to Macon, GA" DVD/CD Set for August Release

Rounder Records has announced the release of Gregg Allman Live: Back to Macon, GA on August 7, 2015. The stellar live DVD/CD captures Allman and his eight-piece solo band in a high-energy performance that was recorded on January 14, 2014 at the venerable Grand Opera House, a 1,000 seat jewel of a theatre that was built in 1884 in Macon, GA, the Middle Georgia town where it all began for the Allman Brothers Band over 40 years ago. The album features 16 tracks, made up of a varied selection of songs from the ABB catalog, tunes from Allman's solo albums and several dynamic cover songs. The DVD, the first Allman's ever released as a solo artist, will include two bonus tracks, as well as special interview segments.

"We played, lived, laughed and cried there," says Allman about Macon in the package's liner notes. "And I wrote many, many songs in that town. It's always good to play Macon, man."

Thet ABB historian and Hittin' the Note editor John Lynskey wrote the liners. They capture the emotion and historic power of the extraordinary event.  "Gregg took to the Grand Opera House stage with a group that, as he put it, 'is a real kick-ass band.' Featuring Scott Sharrard on guitar, bassist Ron Johnson, Ben Stivers on keyboards, drummer Steve Potts, Allman Brothers veteran Marc Quinones on percussion, saxophonists Jay Collins and Art Edmaiston and Dennis Marion on trumpet, these eight players plus special guest, Allman's son Devon, formed one of the best solo units Allman had fronted in years.