The Allman Brothers Band may not have invented Southern rock, but they perfected it. They blasting out of Georgia at the end of the ‘60s – having already paying their dues in the Allman Joys and Hour Glass -- with a pair of records that would help establish their sound. Rooted in equal parts Southern R&B, back-roads country, amp-shredding garage rock, juke-joint blues and ‘60s rock ‘n’ roll, 1969’s self-titled debut and the following year’s ‘Idlewild South’ set the template. But it wasn’t until 1971’s double live ‘At Fillmore East’ that the Allmans became stars. Guitar ace Duane Allman and bassist Berry Oakley were killed in separate motorcycle accidents not long after the record’s release, but the group rebounded with 1973’s ‘Brothers and Sisters,’ a No. 1 album, led by Gregg Allman’s soulful rasp. Over the past 40 years the group has switched personnel (most notably recruiting guitarist Warren Haynes) but has remained a popular live act for its marathon shows.
- Selected Discography: ‘Idlewild South’ (1970), ‘At Fillmore East’ (1971), ‘Brothers and Sisters’ (1973)
- Related Artists: Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes
- Further Reading: Top 10 Allman Brothers Band Songs, Top 10 Duane Allman Studio Sessions