The Passing of Music Icons 2017 - Gregg Allman - May 27, 2017 | Eastern North Carolina Now

    This is a work in progress for the year 2017. When a music Icon passes, their life is documented in many online tributes. When I started this series, I had the intention of recalling personal memories relating to the musician. While there are many sources for the details of their life and death, for many years, I have tried to capture my personal feelings when a music Icon I enjoyed passes. I usually try to write a contemporaneous note and compile them at end of the year. I do this just as a reminder that all things must pass and musicians mark the mood of the times with their music. Bobby Tony

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    Even though we Georgians claim the Allman Brothers as our own, they actually did not settle in Georgia until after they were well on their way to stardom. Of course no good story stand on its own, they must be embellished with a bit of folklore.

Misty Waters swimming Pool and Club house
    There was a swim park in Atlanta called Misty Waters. It was a combination, man made Lake, Swimming pool, and Skating rink and golf course and Putt Putt Course. It was not in a high income area but in those days it was segregated white only and the gimmick to keep it as such was to call it a Country Club. It had a membership card and patches to enhance its authenticity. It is a sad reminder of segregation in the south and my participation in the practice. Whenever I get on my high-horse about the way other people live their lives, I am tugged by that not so glorious part of my life. Maturity and repentance comes later in life for some or most of us.

    Many future stars played there over the ten years between 1960-1970. Mac Davis, Jerry Reed, Billy Joe Royal, and a obscure group called the Allman Joys. I spent a few Saturday Nights there listening to various groups later to become famous but unknown to me at the time.

    Honesty dictates that I add I was a member of the "Country Club." The dances were held in the Roller Rink. I saw the Allman Joys but I do not have any memory of Mac Davis. I do remember seeing Joe South, Billy Jo Royal and a crazy group called Paul Revere and the Raiders.

    The Allman Joys went on to stardom as The Allman Brothers. When their first hit came out, I had one of those "Hey I remember those guys moments." Early in their career one of the founding members Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident. The band continued on and reached stardom with several memorable songs and tours.

    The most visible member of the group was Duane's brother Gregg Allman. He was no doubt a Full-Tilt-Boogey-Blues-Rock and Roll icon. Like all good bands, they went through many members, additional tragic deaths and a history of failed marriages, drugs and financial woes. You can read all about Gregg and his various life events in the tributes to him and The Allman Brothers band.

    To me the three most representative songs of that era are below.

    'Midnight Rider' is probably the anthem of the Allman Brothers Southern Rock persona. It has been covered by many groups from Joe Cocker to Willie Nelson. The original version released by The Allman Brothers and written by Gregg Allman did not chart in 1970. Duane Allman played the lead guitar and later died in a motorcycle accident in Macon, Ga in 1971.

   

    'Rambling Man' was actually written and sung by the lead guitarist after Duane's death, Dickey Betts wrote this in the house the band shared in Macon, Georgia. Betts sang lead on this track. Anyone raised in the Georgia area can relate to Greyhound busses and Highway 41. Here is a 1972 version of the song that harkens back to the Misty Water days; A simple stage, a group of teenagers and a great guitarist singing his song.

   

    Melissa was a love song written by Gregg long before the group became famous. This version is from A&E Special in 2011. It is followed by an interview.

   

    As the famous old saying goes,

"You can be example in your life. You can be the guiding light leading the way or the pot hole in the middle of the road. But make no mistake, everything you do is an example for others." - Bobby Tony to his 18 year old son circa 1999 and again this past weekend when discussing my grand kids with him.

    Gregg passed away in Savannah, Georgia on May 27, 2017. He lived a life full of excesses, addictions, six marriages, financial setbacks and was certainly not a role model to be emulated. But he was a musician who made a difference in many people's life for better or worse. He was 69 and his body was worn out by all his excesses. He survived 'Cher' and that is an accomplishment to say the least.

   On the other hand Dr. Robert Atkins, who was famous for his healthy diet that many have followed died at 72 with congestive heart problems. I do not advocate either life style. 'JUST SAYING'