This week’s playlist pays tribute to the genius of Duane Allman in the studio, outside of the Allman Brothers Band.
We’ve celebrated so many amazing 50th anniversaries this year including the Allman Brothers conquering of Fillmore East in March of 1971.
Sadly that would be their pinnacle as their band leader tragically died at age 24 in a motorcycle accident on October 29, 1971.
We’ve already discussed how Duane Allman was able to rally his band together, but we recently learned he’s considered the Father of Southern Rock.
Duane began to make his mark at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals. During a session with Wilson Pickett, Duane convince him to cover The Beatles, “Hey Jude.” During the breakdown at the end, the Southern Rock sound was born.
(I kinda thought that was bullshit, but it’s been verified by multiple sources, including A History of Rock ‘n’ Roll in 500 Songs podcast and the documentary Duane Allman – Song of the South: Duane Allman and The Rise of The Allman Brothers. Of course the “Father of Southern Rock” might not be the most flattering moniker, and the aforementioned doc is a little problematic as you can assume from the name.)
Duane’s career got off to an inauspicious start. His early work with his younger brother Gregg in The Allman Joys and Hour Glass was anything but successful. The experience soured Duane from the music business, but he continued to play, putting in a LOT of time as a studio musician. And it was his time at FAME was where Duane’s sound came to life. Here Duane played with artists like Aretha Franklin, King Curtis, Clarence Carter, Boz Scaggs, Johnny Jenkins and more. Not long afterwards, Duane started the true band that would carry his name. Then he’d become as much of a creative muse as Patti Harrison was to Derek & The Dominos. Then he was gone.
Duane’s time with The Allman Brothers Band is well documented, and absolutely impeccable. It’s unbelievable to think he only participated in 2.5 studio albums and 1.5 live albums before he left us. So this week’s playlist highlights Duane’s studio work. Again, his time was too short, but incredibly powerful and wildly influential.
Duane also seemed to be a laid back rocker obsessed with his craft. But don’t just take our word for it…
Listen to Duane Allman spin the tales himself and bare it all, man.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of his passing, we included 50 studio tracks featuring Duane Allman, outside of the Brothers. But what did we miss? What else would you add to this week’s playlist? Hit us up and let us know your thoughts about the Father of Southern Rock.
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Rock 'n' Roll Storytime #RnRST 