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The Allman Brothers Band spearheaded the movement for mixing many different genres of music, with many other artists are trying to follow in their footsteps. While the group has had so many ups and downs over the years, they are certainly on top again today, touring with the bands whose sound they have influenced.
The original band was Duane Allman on guitar, Gregg Allman on vocals and organ, Dickie Betts on guitar, Berry Oakley on bass and Butch Chucks and Jaimoe Johanson on drums. Duane and Greg Allman had their share of band experience before to joining the larger unit - they performed in many bands in the early 1960s that focused separately on rock, blues, and soul.
The collectives first album was recorded after they had traveled together, mostly in the Southeast. While the self-titled debut album never had commercial success, the band clearly developed a following on the road. The band was often compared to the likes of Cream, the Jeff Beck Group, and Led Zepplin. After reviewers saw live shows, they were placed in a league of their own as a southern blues-rock act with an immense understanding of blues and jazz.
Through years of touring, the band became known for 40-minute jams, but never just to showcase the ability of individual members - they instead paid close attention to the structure of the song. As a result, their live collections seemed to sell better than studio releases.
The band was unfortunately not just known for the ability to play incredible music. On October 29, 1971, Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident. After the trauma to the band, there were a number of lineup changes, and they interestingly stayed intact and moved onto the biggest commercial success of the bands career. In 1973, "Brothers and Sisters" was released, which spawned the classic single "Ramblin Man," plus the fan-favorite "Jessica."
After making it through the successful time after Allmans death, the band faced other personal demons - Greg Allman married Cher (twice), placing a strain on the men, not to mention the drug and alcohol abuse that plagued almost every member of the band. Allmans involvement in a federal drug court case was the last straw - the band broke up in 1976. While they got back together occasionally for albums over the years, it was certainly known as a dark time in the Allman Brothers Legacy.
In 1989 the band seemed to get their spark back, by way of a new lineup - Warren Haynes joined Betts on guitar, Allen Woody took over bass, plus the original lineup of Allman, Jaimoe and Trucks. On a 20th Anniversary Tour the band seemed to return to its roots, following up the outing with several critically-acclaimed albums.
In 1994, Haynes and Woody left the band to form Govt Mule, and many other lineup changes occurred, causing a downfall in music quality once again. In 2001, however, Haynes returned and brought the stability with him.
The band now regularly travels with the jam bands that have been following their lead over the years - moe., The String Cheese Incident, Dave Matthews Band and Widespread Panic, among others. The Bonnaroo Music Festival featured the band in 2003 and 2005, which inspired the band to begin their own Wanee Music Festival.
In addition to the bands constant touring, which only has been increasing over the years, the bands sheer talent is enough to keep them on the top of its game - in 2003, Rolling Stone Magazine named Duane Allman, Warren Haynes, Dickey Betts and Derek Trucks on its list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Allman was No.2, and Trucks was the youngest guitarist to make it on the list.
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