Gregg Allman .......I cannot believe it has been 5 years.
Thanks pehare - and your response was dead spot on. No doubt he had his demons but the musical memories I have of him as well as the Allman Brothers will stay with me for the rest of life. I too had some really great times seeing him and as I noted were the backdrop of my life musically as I get older. There were a bunch of times that I missed him or the ( original ) Grateful Dead when they were on tour and came by which was all the time it seemed back then as I was married, had a career and had responsibilities but believe you me I caught them both a lot. I will listen to Gregg's version of the Beatles ; '' Rain '' as I do not recall that or have listened to that in a long time. Thank you again. |
Wow, that 5 years sure flew by, crazy. I remember the day I bought Allman Brothers Beginnings double album at Luskin's appliance store back in MD when I was a kid in the early 70's. Later I moved to FL where I'd see the Brothers play on South Miami Beach around '81 or so. I can still see Gregg's blonde hair blowin in the seabreeze right on the beach behind his Hammond. South Beach then was all dilapidated old hotels filled with old jewish retirees not particularly affluent. Later I moved upstate to college and the Brothers would play all the time at our college outdoor band shell - all great performances. As the band was on it's backslide in the mid 80's a bunch of us piled in a car and drove to Lady Lake to a little club and saw him w/his band at the time. Again great show. He was throwin' back during the show just like the enthusiastic crowd. We learned the next day he had gotten a DWI leaving the show. I don't know how we didn't either LOL. A couple years before his passing we were lucky to see him play at the local performing arts center what a great performance that was. His solo versions of Melissa and These Days on acoustic guitar were in top form. I'd forgotten what a great acoustic guitar player he was. Don Was did a great job on his last record Southern Blood. Gregg's rendition of Tim Buckley's "Once I Was" sends chills and about cracks me up every time I hear it. The other one that is on The Brothers Dreams 4 cd set is Gregg's version of Beatles "Rain". Thanks for the reminder w/this garebear, cheers. |
I crossed paths with Gregg in the late-90’s. It was about 10:30 A.M., in the Tower Records on Venture Blvd. in Sherman Oaks, California (the same blvd. upon which Tom Petty saw vampires moving west ;-). From across the store’s floor I heard a raspy voice bellow "HEY, LONG HAIR!" I turned around (I was indeed a long hair, the only one in the store), and saw Gregg, leaning against what appeared to be an assistant, who was preventing him from falling on his ass. Gregg was completely smashed, at 10:30 in the morning. I walked over to him and stuck out my hand, and he reciprocated, his hand shaking mine. He was at a loss for words, so I just said "Nice to meet ya", and turned and walked away. I don’t know if he was already drunk, or still drunk from the night before, not yet having been to bed. I suspect the latter. |
Saw Gregg a number of times post AM. always very nice shows. I love nearly all genres and eras of music,its likely majority of music I listen to is from artists no longer with us. I know about the life tragedies of many of these artists, may bring about greater insight into lyrics, which can sometimes have emotional effect upon me. Still, in the end, death is necessary to life, the artist leaves a living legacy in their music, and we can experience at least a part of that life on audio systems that present them as flesh and blood performers. |
Is it me? I admit that Southern Rock, and Rock in general, has not been my preferred genre for many years; and I’m certainly no guitar-God connoisseur. However, I grew up with and loved ABB and have always followed their players and the genre kinda peripherally. I’ll probably always have a soft spot for the music. Having said all that, while I recognize what a fine player Derek Trucks is, I’m always left a bit cold by his playing. The guy has obviously listened to Jazz players and in some ways is more stylistically “interesting” than other Rock players; his phrasing in particular seems to be informed by that of Jazz players. However, there is a coolness and detachment in his playing that always leaves me wanting more; wanting a little more fire and grit. It’s like I want to like him more than I actually do. Thoughts? |
Good morning Audiogoners …...johndel1960 then you get it ! Sure everyone knows he had is demons, but on stage there were times it was just magic. It is too bad that sometimes those demons are how people remember some of these artists. I tis too bad as I also followed the Grateful Dead around since the seventies until Jerry died. What a shame as he too was such a talented artist who gave me at least years of musical fun and pleasure but I try not to think of his demons. I could tell as I saw them both enough that when Jerry was '' using '' and Gregg was drunk and to be honest, got ticked off as they really weren't there. It is what it is …...but Gregg was one of those for me who could really sing '' those blues '' …...dam I miss it live ! Stay well all.....
**** also - music _is _ life …...not sure what ; " Bzzzzzzzzz Government Mule '' means. I have see them but not sure what it means to my post. Thanks though ….. |
I had the pleasure of sitting front row at one of his performances (800 person venue) over a decade ago. I am a Hammond B3 player and had always marveled at the ease and grace of which he played…I tried Iike hell to mimic his style, but there is one ONE Greg Allman What I found most intriguing was his voice, when heard live, was magic. The tone and slight rasp he had and his unique style is something I will never forget. Though gone from us, his music and our individual memories will last our lifetime. Thats’s a tribute of a great artist |
Back in the mid-70s when Gregg was married to Cher, they were guests on the Tonight Show. Cher came out first and and visited with Johnny, and when it was time for Gregg to come out, they introduced him but he didn't show, so they introduced him again and he still didn't show. Seems he was so stoned he got tangled up in the back drop curtain and had to be helped. When Gregg finally made it to Johnny it was easy to tell he was completely wasted! Great music and he lived life to the fullest!! |
@desferous, thank you twice |
I do however have to disagree on Derek. I have seen the Brothers probably around 75 times and many of those with Derek and Warren. Nothing like those two on stage tearing into ABB tunes and doing them the ultimate justice. Derek is a student of Duanes style as well as all others he has played with. I have watched him on stage soaking up Clapton, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, BB King , Hubert Sumlin, Jimmie Vaughn, Robert Randolph and many other greats. He watches learns and repeats . The cat is by far the best player slide alive today |
Garebear, While I was reading your post, shuffle brought "Steady Rain" by Warren Zevon on and I knew I should respond. My father passed away today several years ago. We had been repairing unintentional harm from the past but were not finished. I just miss my father a lot. Missing an artist, I understand completely. I still get hit with sadness knowing David Bowie, Warren Zevon, and Neil Peart are gone. I don't exactly understand why. I do know Rush in some ways was behind me growing up when I felt my parents weren't. In some ways helped me keep a moral compass. David Bowie is stranger for me. I feel real loneliness and get emotional. I just love his music and appreciated his journey. Maybe part of it is knowing that he is not out there making music anymore it is what brings up sadness? Warren Zevon, I just enjoy so much. It doesn't matter how many times I hear certain songs of his - I just smile. And then again, I can't listen to "Keep Me in Your Heart" without breaking down. Music has always had a strong hold over me and I love my favorite musicians dearly. They have helped me understand life, and emotions, and kept me company through the years. Just the weight of knowing they are gone sometimes presses down a little too hard. |
