45 Years Of The Allman Brothers Band

It’s been a long road for Gregg Allman and his bandmates. Formed in 1969 in Florida before moving to Macon, Ga., the band that ushered in the Southern rock movement has seen good times and bad, including founding member Duane Allman perishing in a motorcycle accident in 1971 at the way too young age of 24.

But the band rocks on, playing to sold-out houses as it makes new fans while bringing plenty of memories to folks who have followed them throughout the years.

This week included a bit of drama for the band.  On Dec. 31 RollingStone.com posted a comment from Gregg Allman that seemed to indicate bassist Burbridge was leaving the group.

“Oteil’s not with us anymore,” Allman said according to RollingStone.com.  “I don’t know if he’ll be back to the Beacon or not.  He’s gone with Zac Brown.”

However, Burbridge issued a statement saying he’s looking forward to 2014 with the Allmans.

“For the record. … It was an amazing experience recording and playing with the Zac Brown Band and with Dave Grohl in November.  It was an awesome time and a reunion of sorts for me with old friends Chris Fryar, Penn Robertson, and Eric Pretto (the drummer, bass tech and guitar tech for ZBB, respectively) who I’ve known for over a decade.  I am proud to be part [of] Zac’s record.

“2014 will mark the beginning of my 16^th year with the Allman Brothers and as we celebrate the band’s 45^th anniversary, it reminds me what a huge part of my musical life this incredible band has been.  I’m really grateful and proud to be such a big party of the ABB history.  And we ain’t done yet!

“I certainly hope to work with the Zac Brown Band again in the future.  They are incredibly talented and great guys.  Wherever I land in the future, I hope my fans understand that my primary concern is for the wellbeing of my family and will continue to bring you the highest level of groove and improv that I can muster.”

Getting back to the band’s 2014 plans, Feb. 18 is a date fans are looking forward to.  That’s when Epic/Legacy Recordings will release Play All Night: Live At The Beacon Theatre 1992, a two-disc set featuring the Allmans’ first time playing an extended run at the venue.

But that’s not all, folks.  Epic/Legacy recordings will release the Live At Great Woods DVD, filmed in 1991 at the Massachusetts venue.  And if those two releases aren’t enough to get Allmans’ fans salivating, next month the band will issue via its Allman Brothers Band Recording Company the live set titled Boston Common 8/17/71, recorded 10 weeks before Duane Allman’s death.

Come spring the band will headline and curate the Wanee Festival, scheduled for April 10-12 at the Spirit Of The Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fla. With a lineup still in the works, the festival has hosted an amazing array of acts, including The Black Keys, Widespread Panic, Robert Plant, and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals.

Coming up a bit sooner will be The Allman Brothers Band’s annual New York City residency at the Beacon Theatre March 7-8, 11-12, 14-15, 18-19 & 21-22.  The shows will mark the band’s only 2014 appearances in the New York metro area.

There are different ways to snag tickets for The Allmans’ 2014 run at the Beacon.  American Express will host a presale for its cardmembers Jan. 3 beginning at 10 a.m. and running through Jan. 9 at 10 p.m.  General onsales launch Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. All times EST.

Visit AllmanBrothersBand.com for more information.