The ever-evolving and live-performance extraordinaire Allman Brothers Band was formed by brothers Duane Allman and Gregg Allman in 1969.  Between the two brothers, nearly an entire eclectic orchestra could be created with Duane knowing how to play the slide guitar and Gregg being a vocalist and organ player. In addition to the brothers, the early formation of the group included Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson on drums, Dickey Betts on lead and rhythm guitar, and Berry Oakley on bass guitar.  The band went through a couple of different names—the Escorts to the Allman Joys and then onto the Hour Glass—before settling on The Allman Brothers Band.

Under the moniker The Allman Brothers Band, the group played shows throughout the South before creating and putting out their first album and namesake, The Allman Brothers Band.  The album was a critical success but the bluegrass sound was not very popular among music listener at first.  It was not until their second outing in 1970 titled Idlewild South that the Macon, Georgia band grabbed the listening audience and embarked on a stunning music career. “Revival” and “Midnight Rider” were two of the really big hits from the band’s second album.

Live concerts were the Allman Brothers Band’s forte. They were known for how electric their shows were and two in particular standout in rock history.  One is the legendary Summer Jam at Watkins Glen in July of 1973.  It drew a crowd of over 600,000 enthusiastic fans.  The other was turned into a compilation live album named At Fillmore East featuring hits like “Whipping Post” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”.  The Allman Brothers band was the last band ever to play in Fillmore East in 1971.  That final set lasted well into dawn and, with its mix of hard rock, blues and jazz, was heralded by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.   

Soon, death and strife caused the band to splinter some.  Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident in 1971, but the band held on to make Eat a Peach which contained the instantly recognizable “Sweet Melissa” single on it.  The band then added a pianist named Chuck Leavell to the lineup, only to have Berry Oakley to die in a motorcycle accident eerily similar to Duane Allman.  His death occurred a year later and only three blocks away from where Duane was killed. Lamar Williams replaced Berry Oakley and the band on to make the album Brother and Sisters in 1973.  The famous single “Ramblin’ Man” was on the record and it made it to #2 on the Billboard charts.

Gregg Allman, who had both a conflict-filled relationship and a son with singer Cher, was arrested on federal drug charges and ended up testifying against the band’s manager in order to avoid serious time.  Tension between band members rose until Greg Allman sought a solo career.  He went on to create the Gregg Allman Band.  Soon enough, the band would reunite consisting of band members: Jaimoe Johanson, Oteil Burbridge, Marc Quinones, Gregg Allman, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, and Butch Trucks. They perform in venues with contemporary bands like Dave Matthews Band and Nickel Creek.

Despite the riffs that grew in the band, they were well awarded throughout their careers.  They have received 11 Gold and 5 Platinum albums as well as won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1996, for the song "Jessica".  And Duane Allman placed #2 on of Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.  Scores of fans and a flurry of accolades later, the latest incarnation of the Allman Brother Band is still touring today.