Duane, Grandma Myrtle, and Gregg in Daytona Beach.
Gallery of Duane Allman
1955
Lebanon, Tennessee, United States
Duane and Gregg at the Castle Heights Military Academy.
Gallery of Duane Allman
1956
Lebanon, Tennessee, United States
Gregg and Duane at Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon.
Gallery of Duane Allman
1961
Duane Allman
College/University
Career
Gallery of Duane Allman
1960
Duane Allman (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1960
Duane Allman (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1960
Duane Allman (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1960
Duane Allman (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1968
Muscle Shoals, Alabama, United States
Songwriter and producer Rick Hall signs session guitarist Duane Allman to a contract in his office at FAME Studios in 1968 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. (Photo by House Of Fame LLC)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1968
Muscle Shoals, Alabama, United States
Songwriter and producer Rick Hall and session guitarist Duane Allman at the mixing board at FAME Studios in 1968 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. (Photo by House Of Fame LLC)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1969
Macon, Georgia, United States
Rock group The Allman Brothers: Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Gregg Allman, Jai Johanny Johanson, Berry Oakley, and Butch Trucks sit on some railroad tracks on May 5, 1969, outside of Macon, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1969
Sheffield, Alabama, United States
Guitarist Duane Allman of the Southern rock group the "Allman Brothers" takes a swig of some liquor between takes as he holds his Gibson Les Paul electric guitar at Muscle Shoals Studios on September 23, 1969, in Sheffield, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1969
Duane Allman (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1969
New York City, New York, United States
American musician Duane Allman during the recording session of Aretha Franklin's studio version of song 'The Weight' which was included in Franklin's album 'This Girl's in Love with You' at Atlantic Studios, New York City, 9th January 1969. (Photo by Stephen Pale)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1969
New York City, New York, United States
American guitarist Duane Allman with American saxophonist King Curtis during a recording session of Aretha Franklin's studio album 'This Girl's in Love with You' at Atlantic Studios, New York City, US, 10th January 1969. (Photo by Stephen Paley)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1969
New York City, New York, United States
American music producer Jerry Wexler, Turkish-American music producer Arif Mardin, and American recording engineer and producer Tom Dowd with American musician Duane Allman in the control room during the recording session of Aretha Franklin's studio version of song 'The Weight' which was included in Franklin's album 'This Girl's in Love with You' at Atlantic Studios, New York City, 9th January 1969. (Photo by Stephen Paley
Gallery of Duane Allman
1969
New York City, New York, United States
American guitarist Duane Allman with American saxophonist King Curtis during a recording session of Aretha Franklin's studio album 'This Girl's in Love with You' at Atlantic Studios, New York City, US, 10th January 1969. (Photo by Stephen Paley)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1969
Duane Allman with Ronnie Hawkins. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1970
Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States
Guitarist Duane Allman uses a steel slide on an acoustic guitar in his hotel room before the Allman Brothers' performance at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1970
Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States
Duane Allman, Greg Allman, and Berry Oakley backstage before the Allman Brothers' performance at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1970
Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States
Guitarists Duane Allman and Dickey Betts use a steel slide on an acoustic guitar in a hotel room before the Allman Brothers' performance at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1970
Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States
Guitarist Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers performs at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1970
Duane Allman Photo by Michael Ochs Archives
Gallery of Duane Allman
1970
Duane Allman from The Allman Brothers posed circa 1970. (Photo by GAB Archive)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1970
Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States
Guitarist Duane Allman uses a steel slide on an acoustic guitar in his hotel room before the Allman Brothers' performance at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1970
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Duane Allman, Dickey Betts and Barry Oakley perform at Broward Junior College circa 1970 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Rick Diamond)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1970
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Duane Allman performs at Broward Junior College circa 1970 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Rick Diamond)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1970
Muscle Shoals, Alabama, United States
Photo of Allman Brothers October 16, 1970, Alabama, Muscle Shoals. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1970
Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States
Guitarist Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers performs at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1970
Duane Allman from The Allman Brothers performs live on stage circa 1970. (Photo by GAB Archive)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1970
Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States
Guitarists Duane Allman and Dickey Betts use a steel slide on an acoustic guitar in a hotel room before the Allman Brothers' performance at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1970
Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States
Guitarist Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers performs at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Duane Allman
1971
New York, New York, United States
Musicians Gregg Allman, Duane Allman; Dickey Betts, Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson; Berry Oakley; Butch Trucks live in concert with the Allman Brothers Band at the Schaefer Music Festival in Central Park on July 21, 1971, in New York, New York. (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer)
Songwriter and producer Rick Hall signs session guitarist Duane Allman to a contract in his office at FAME Studios in 1968 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. (Photo by House Of Fame LLC)
Songwriter and producer Rick Hall and session guitarist Duane Allman at the mixing board at FAME Studios in 1968 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. (Photo by House Of Fame LLC)
Rock group The Allman Brothers: Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Gregg Allman, Jai Johanny Johanson, Berry Oakley, and Butch Trucks sit on some railroad tracks on May 5, 1969, outside of Macon, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Guitarist Duane Allman of the Southern rock group the "Allman Brothers" takes a swig of some liquor between takes as he holds his Gibson Les Paul electric guitar at Muscle Shoals Studios on September 23, 1969, in Sheffield, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
American musician Duane Allman during the recording session of Aretha Franklin's studio version of song 'The Weight' which was included in Franklin's album 'This Girl's in Love with You' at Atlantic Studios, New York City, 9th January 1969. (Photo by Stephen Pale)
American guitarist Duane Allman with American saxophonist King Curtis during a recording session of Aretha Franklin's studio album 'This Girl's in Love with You' at Atlantic Studios, New York City, US, 10th January 1969. (Photo by Stephen Paley)
American music producer Jerry Wexler, Turkish-American music producer Arif Mardin, and American recording engineer and producer Tom Dowd with American musician Duane Allman in the control room during the recording session of Aretha Franklin's studio version of song 'The Weight' which was included in Franklin's album 'This Girl's in Love with You' at Atlantic Studios, New York City, 9th January 1969. (Photo by Stephen Paley
American guitarist Duane Allman with American saxophonist King Curtis during a recording session of Aretha Franklin's studio album 'This Girl's in Love with You' at Atlantic Studios, New York City, US, 10th January 1969. (Photo by Stephen Paley)
Guitarist Duane Allman uses a steel slide on an acoustic guitar in his hotel room before the Allman Brothers' performance at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Duane Allman, Greg Allman, and Berry Oakley backstage before the Allman Brothers' performance at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Guitarists Duane Allman and Dickey Betts use a steel slide on an acoustic guitar in a hotel room before the Allman Brothers' performance at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Guitarist Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers performs at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Duane Allman, Greg Allman, and Berry Oakley backstage before the Allman Brothers' performance at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Guitarist Duane Allman uses a steel slide on an acoustic guitar in his hotel room before the Allman Brothers' performance at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Guitarist Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers performs at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Guitarists Duane Allman and Dickey Betts use a steel slide on an acoustic guitar in a hotel room before the Allman Brothers' performance at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Guitarist Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers performs at the Sitar on October 17, 1970, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Musicians Gregg Allman, Duane Allman; Dickey Betts, Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson; Berry Oakley; Butch Trucks live in concert with the Allman Brothers Band at the Schaefer Music Festival in Central Park on July 21, 1971, in New York, New York. (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer)
Duane Allman was an American musician and guitarist. He is known as a founding member and leader of the Allman Brothers Band.
Background
Duane Allman was born as Howard Duane Allman in Nashville, Tennessee, United States on November 20, 1946, to a former United States Army veteran Willis Turner Allman and Geraldine Alice Robbins. He had one younger brother Gregory LeNoir Allman.
Education
Duane Allman attended Parmer Elementary School in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. In 1955 Duane and Gregg were sent to Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee, United States. In 1957 Duane and Gregg were taken out of Castle Heights Military Academy and the Allman family move from Nashville, Tennessee to 100 Van Avenue in Daytona Beach, Florida. where the boys attended Seabreeze High School. In fall 1961 for the second time, Duane was sent to Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon. At Castle Heights the band 'The Misfits' was formed. In December 1963 Duane got kicked out of Castle Heights Military Academy.
On Christmas Day in 1960, Duane was given a motorcycle as a gift while his younger brother, Gregg Allman, got a guitar. Duane told interviewer Tony Glover that at the start of the ’60s “One year Gregg got a guitar for Christmas and I got me a Harley 165 motorcycle. I tore that up and he learned to play. He taught me and I traded the wrecked bike parts for another guitar.”
Within a year, the duo played at sock hops in Daytona Beach, Florida, calling themselves "The Kings". In 1963 they were in the House Rockers before organizing the Allman Joys. The Allman Joys toured bars in made their first single, a remake of “Spoonful” by Willie Dixon.
In 1965, Duane and Gregg formed their band, "The Allman Joys," and toured the south, but they failed to make an impression in the music business. Duane, Gregg and a few friends drifted to Los Angeles where they formed a new band called "Hourglass". They recorded two albums “Hour Glass” and “Power of Love” for Liberty Records. The band had no control over their material. As Duane said, “They’d send in a box of demos and say, ‘Okay, pick out your next LP.’ We’d try to tell them that wasn’t where it was at. Then they’d get tough.”
Disgusted, the Allmans returned to Florida where they played with the bands "Second Coming" and "The 31th of February." Duane frequently traveled to Muscle Shoals, Alabama and played backup guitar with such great singers as Aretha Franklin, King Curtis, and Percy Sledge. In 1969, Duane got his first big break when Jerry Wexler, the vice-president of Atlantic Records, offered him a solo contract. Duane formed a new band made up of drummers Jai Johanny Johanson and Butch Trucks, guitarist Dickey Betts, bassist Berry Oakley, and brother Gregg Allman on the keyboard. Once assembled, The Allman Brothers Band settled in Macon, Georgia where they joined Phil Walden's Capricorn Records for a recording contract.
The band's first album combined strains of blues, soul, rock and country music into the electrifying sound that launched Southern rock music. Their second album, "Idlewild South", climbed to the top of the charts where they performed at New York's Fillmore East in March 1971. The band recorded a double album released in July of that year and reached the top ten, but Duane did not live to see his band's true success.
On October 29, 1971, Duane Allman was riding his motorcycle down Macon's main street when a truck pulled out from another street in front of him. He lost control of his bike trying to avoid a collision and crashed head-on into the rig, killing him almost immediately. He was 24 years old. The band played at his funeral. Only a year later, they gathered somberly, again, to bury Berry Oakley, who was killed in a motorcycle crash, just three blocks away from Duane's fatal accident.
The Allman Brothers Band continued for decades after guitarist Duane Allman tragically passed away on October 21, 1971, but looking back now, Gregg Allman believes the group never recovered from the loss of Duane's leadership.
"Every organization, I guess, needs a leader, a focal point - somebody [to] say, 'Go, stop,'" Allman told Newsday. "That's something Allman Brothers, after my brother, never had. It was just a bunch of head chefs together."
Quotations:
"I love being alive and I will be the best man I possibly can. I will take love wherever I find it and offer it to everyone who will take it ... seek knowledge from those wiser and teach those who wish to learn from me."
"There's a lot of different forms of communication, but music is absolutely the purest one."
"There ain't no revolution, only evolution, but every time I'm in Georgia I eat a peach for peace."
"Develop your talent, man, and leave the world something. Records are really gifts from people. To think that an artist would love you enough to share his music with anyone is a beautiful thing."
"One thing I can say about our band is this. If you got something good to lay on us, enlighten us, but if you got something bad to lay on us, you can get your teeth knocked clean down your throat man. Dangerous people. Lovely people."
"I love the Dead. As far as Jerry Garcia, Jerry Garcia could walk on water. He could do anything any man could ever do. He's a prince."
Personality
The nickname "SkyDog" is a blending of Duane's two older nicknames. Wilson Pickett, whom Duane worked with as a session musician in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, (they recorded a cover of The Beatles' "Hey Jude," among other songs) dubbed Duane "Skyman Allman." Duane had also been called "Dog", because of his thick sideburns and long hair.
Duane Allman is among the most famous players of electric slide guitar, and almost certainly the greatest. Duane played bottleneck slide using a glass Coricidin D cold medicine bottle and usually tuned his guitar to open E.
As a term of endearment, he called his brother Gregg "baybrah," short for "baby brother."
Even though his brother Gregg was the frontman of the Allman Brothers Band, it was Duane who actually created the group and was the one who tended to make most of the decisions.
He was a fan of the Basil Rathbone "Sherlock Holmes" movies.
As far as anyone knows, there isn't any interview footage of the guitarist in existence. However, Allman did give a couple of radio interviews.
Like a consummate professional, Duane Allman was rarely seen without a guitar and always looking for new inspiration.
Before he began raising his own family, Duane was looked upon as something of a free spirit. He would sometimes go travelling on the spur of the moment.
Friends and family regarded Duane as a confident, ambitious man who knew how to achieve what he wanted.
Physical Characteristics:
Duane Allman was left-handed.
Interests
Music & Bands
Miles Davis, B. B. King
Connections
Duane Allman had a relationship with Patti Chandlee, who gave birth to his daughter. The girl was born deaf and was taken to adoption. Later Allman met Donna Roosman, who bore his second child, Galadrielle. The couple's relationship wasn't really long-termed.