View source for Gregg Allman

{{Use American English|date=April 2017}}
{{Short description|American musician (1947–2017)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Gregg Allman
| image              = Gregg Allman 1975.JPG
| alt                = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| caption            = Allman performing in 1975
| birth_name         = Gregory LeNoir Allman
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1947|12|08|mf=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Nashville, Tennessee]], U.S.
| death_date         = {{death date and age|2017|05|27|1947|12|08|mf=y}}
| death_place        = [[Richmond Hill, Georgia]], U.S.
| resting_place      = [[Rose Hill Cemetery (Macon, Georgia)|Rose Hill Cemetery]]
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
* Musician
* singer
* songwriter
}}
| years_active       = 1960–2017
| spouse             = {{ublist|
{{marriage|Shelley Kay Jefts|1971|1972|end=div}}|
{{marriage|Janice Blair|1973|1974|end=div}}|
{{marriage|[[Cher]]|1975|1979|end=div}}|
{{marriage|Julie Bindas|1979|1981|end=div}}|
{{marriage|Danielle Galiana|1989|1994|end=div}}|
{{marriage|Stacey Fountain|2001|2008|end=div}}|
{{marriage|Shannon Williams|2017}}}}
| children           = 5, including [[Michael Allman|Michael]], [[Devon Allman|Devon]] and [[Elijah Blue Allman|Elijah Blue]]
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes      <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| background    = solo_singer<!-- mandatory format: please do not change or remove -->
| genre         = {{flatlist|
* [[Blues]]
* [[Rock music|rock]]
* [[southern rock]]
* [[Gospel music|gospel]]
* [[Country music|country]]
}}
| instrument    = {{flatlist|
* Vocals
* keyboards
* guitar<!--- If you think an instrument should be listed, a discussion to reach consensus is needed first --->
}}
| label         = {{flatlist|
* [[Liberty Records|Liberty]]
* [[Capricorn Records|Capricorn]]
* [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]
* [[Epic Records|Epic]]
* [[Rounder Records|Rounder]]
}}
| past_member_of = {{flatlist|
* [[Hour Glass (band)|Hour Glass]]
* [[The Allman Joys]]
* [[The Allman Brothers Band]]
* [[Two the Hard Way|Allman and Woman]]
* [[Gregg Allman Band]]
}}
| website       = {{URL|greggallman.com}}
}}
}}
'''Gregory LeNoir Allman''' (December 8, 1947&nbsp;– May 27, 2017) was an American musician, singer and songwriter. He was known for performing in [[the Allman Brothers Band]]. Allman grew up with an interest in [[rhythm and blues]] music, and the Allman Brothers Band fused it with rock music, [[jazz]], and [[country music|country]]. He wrote several of the band's most popular songs, including "[[Whipping Post (song)|Whipping Post]]", "[[Melissa (The Allman Brothers Band song)|Melissa]]", and "[[Midnight Rider]]". Allman also had a successful solo career, releasing eight studio albums. He was born and spent much of his childhood in [[Nashville, Tennessee]], before relocating to [[Daytona Beach, Florida]], and then [[Macon, Georgia]].

He and his brother [[Duane Allman]] formed the Allman Brothers Band in 1969, which reached mainstream success with their 1971 live album ''[[At Fillmore East]]'', but shortly thereafter, Duane was killed in a motorcycle crash. The band continued, and released  ''[[Brothers and Sisters (album)|Brothers and Sisters]]'', which became their most successful album, in 1973. Allman began a solo career with ''[[Laid Back (album)|Laid Back]]'' the same year. He gained some additional fame for his 1975 to 1979 marriage to pop star [[Cher]]. He had an unexpected late-career hit with his cover of the song "[[I'm No Angel (Bill Medley song)|I'm No Angel]]" in 1987, and his seventh solo album, ''[[Low Country Blues]]'' (2011), saw the highest chart positions of his career. Throughout his life, Allman struggled with alcohol and substance use, which formed the basis of his memoir ''[[My Cross to Bear]]'' (2012). His final album, ''[[Southern Blood (album)|Southern Blood]]'', was released posthumously on September 8, 2017.

Allman performed with a [[Hammond organ]] and guitar, and was recognized for his soulful voice. For his work in music, Allman was referred to as a [[Southern rock]] pioneer<ref>Sources:
* {{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Andy |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/my-cross-bear-318317 |title=My Cross to Bear |date=April 30, 2012 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=May 27, 2024}}
* {{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Chris |url=https://variety.com/2017/music/people-news/gregg-allman-dies-dead-69-southern-rock-1202446640/ |title=Gregg Allman, Southern Rock Pioneer, Dies at 69 |date=May 27, 2024 |work=Variety |access-date=May 27, 2017}}
* {{Cite magazine |last=Gehr |first=Richard |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/gregg-allman-southern-rock-legend-dead-at-69-w433068 |title=Gregg Allman, Southern Rock Pioneer, Dead at 69 |date=May 27, 2017 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=May 27, 2017}}</ref> and received numerous awards, including one [[Grammy Award]]; he was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] and the [[Georgia Music Hall of Fame]]. His distinctive voice placed him 70th in the ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time".<ref name="RS Singer">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/24161972/page/103 |title=Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers of All Time |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703053710/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/24161972/page/103 |archive-date=July 3, 2009 }}</ref>

== Early life ==
[[File:Lebanon tennessee city hall.jpg|thumb|Allman and his brother [[Duane Allman|Duane]] attended [[Castle Heights Military Academy]] in [[Lebanon, Tennessee]], in their childhood.]]
Gregory LeNoir Allman was born on December 8, 1947, at [[Saint Thomas - West Hospital|Saint Thomas Hospital]] in Nashville, [[Tennessee]], to Geraldine Robbins Allman (1917–2015) and Willis Turner Allman (1918–1949).{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|pp=9–12}} The couple had met during [[World War II]] in [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]], North Carolina, when Allman was on leave from the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]], and were later married. Their first child, Duane Allman, was born in Nashville in November 20, 1946. On December 26, 1949, Willis offered a ride to a hitchhiker, Michael Robert "Buddy" Green (1923–2024), an Army veteran, who shot and killed him during an armed robbery in [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]], Virginia. Green was captured, convicted, sentenced and paroled in 1972.<ref name="HR15">{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gregg-allman-my-cross-bear-cher-319596|title=BOOK REVIEW: 'My Cross to Bear' by Gregg Allman With Alan Light|date=May 16, 2012|first=Andy|last=Lewis|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=September 30, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The night Gregg Allman's dad died in Norfolk |url=http://pilotonline.com/news/local/history/the-night-gregg-allman-s-dad-died-in-norfolk/article_f5958a5d-e40f-53b6-b9f4-acbc1c7d8f93.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808195439/https://www.pilotonline.com/news/local/history/the-night-gregg-allman-s-dad-died-in-norfolk/article_f5958a5d-e40f-53b6-b9f4-acbc1c7d8f93.html|archive-date=August 8, 2017|last=Ollison |first=Rashod |work=Virginian-Pilot |publisher=The Virginian Pilot|date=June 1, 2017}}</ref> Geraldine moved to Nashville with her two sons and never remarried.{{sfn|Poe|2008|p=4}} Lacking money to support her children, she enrolled in college to become a [[Certified Public Accountant]] (CPA)—state laws at the time, according to her son, required students to live on-campus.<ref name="RS73">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-allman-brothers-story-19731206|title=The Allman Brothers Story|date=December 6, 1973|first=Cameron|last=Crowe|author-link=Cameron Crowe|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=September 30, 2015}}</ref>

As a result, Gregg and his older brother were sent to [[Castle Heights Military Academy]] in nearby [[Lebanon, Tennessee|Lebanon]].{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|pp=9–12}} A young Gregg interpreted these actions as evidence of his mother's dislike for him, though he later came to understand the reality: "She was actually sacrificing everything she possibly could—she was working around the clock, getting by just by a hair, so as to not send us to an [[orphanage]], which would have been a living hell."{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=14}} While his brother adapted to his surroundings with a defiant attitude, Allman felt largely depressed at the school. With little to do, he studied often and developed an interest in medicine—had he not gone into music, he hoped to become a dentist.<ref name="SL07" /> He was rarely hazed at Castle Heights as his brother protected him, but often suffered beatings from instructors when he received poor grades.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=16}} The brothers returned to Nashville upon their mother's graduation, and moved to Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1959.<ref name="RS73" /> Allman would later recall two separate events in his life that led to his interest in music. In 1960, the two brothers attended a concert in Nashville with [[Jackie Wilson]] headlining alongside [[Otis Redding]], [[B.B. King]], and [[Patti LaBelle]].<ref name="SL07">{{cite news|url=http://www.southernliving.com/travel/south-east/home-gregg-allman|title=At Home With Gregg Allman|date=August 2007|first=Allison|last=Hersh|work=[[Southern Living]]|access-date=September 30, 2015}}</ref> Allman was also exposed to music through Jimmy Banes, an [[intellectually disabled]] neighbor of his grandmother in Nashville, who introduced him to the guitar.{{sfn|Poe|2008|p=8}}

Gregg worked as a [[paper boy]] to afford a [[Silvertone (instruments)|Silvertone]] guitar, which he purchased at a [[Sears]] when he saved up enough funds.<ref name="RS73" /> Like his brother, he was left-handed, but played the guitar right-handed. He and his brother often fought to play the instrument, though there was "no question that music brought" the two together.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=31}} In Daytona, they joined a [[YMCA]] group called the Y Teens, their first experience performing music with others.{{sfn|Poe|2008|p=10}} He and Duane returned to Castle Heights in their teen years, where they formed a band, the Misfits.<ref name="PLEASE">{{cite book|title=Please Be with Me: A Song for My Father, Duane Allman|last=Allman |first=Gladrielle |location=New York City |publisher=[[Spiegel & Grau]] |page=70 |isbn=978-1-4000-6894-4|year=2014}}</ref> Despite this, he still felt "lonesome and out of place", and quit the academy.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=41}} He returned to Daytona Beach and pursued music further, and the duo formed another band, the Shufflers, in 1963.{{sfn|Poe|2008|p=10}} He attended high school at [[Seabreeze High School]], where he graduated in 1965.{{sfn|Poe|2008|p=28}} However, he grew undisciplined in his studies as his interests diverged: "Between the women and the music, school wasn't a priority anymore."{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=42}}

==Musical beginnings==
=== First bands (1960–1968) ===
{{quote box
 |quote  = We would rehearse every day in the club, go have lunch, rehearse some more, go home and take a shower, then go to the gig. Sometimes we would rehearse after we got home from the gig too, just get out the acoustics and play. The next day, we'd go have breakfast, go rehearse, and do it all over again. We rehearsed constantly.
 |source =&nbsp;—Allman on his musical evolution{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=63}}
 |width  = 25%
 |align  = right
}}

The two Allman brothers began meeting various musicians in the Daytona Beach area. They met a man named [[Floyd Miles]], and they began to jam with his band, the Houserockers. "I would just sit there and study Floyd ... I studied how he phrased his songs, how he got the words out, and how the other guys sang along with him", Gregg would later recall.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=46}} They later formed their first "real" band, the Escorts, which performed a mix of [[top 40]] and R&B music at clubs around town.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=49}} Duane, who took the lead vocal role on early demos, encouraged his younger brother to sing instead.{{sfn|Poe|2008|p=21}} He and Duane often spent all of their money on records, as they attempted to learn songs from them. The group performed constantly as music became their entire focus; Gregg missed his high school graduation because he was performing that evening.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=50}} In his autobiography, Gregg recalls listening to Nashville R&B station [[WLAC]] at night and discovering artists such as [[Muddy Waters]], who later became central to his musical evolution.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=63}} He avoided being drafted into the [[Vietnam War]] by intentionally shooting himself in the foot.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=61}}

The Escorts evolved into [[the Allman Joys]], the brothers' first successful band. After a successful summer run locally, they hit the road in fall 1965 for a series of performances throughout the Southeast; their first show outside Daytona was at the Stork Club in [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]], Alabama, where they were booked for 22 weeks straight.<ref name="AL12">{{cite news|url=http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/12/mobile_holds_memories_for_greg.html|title=Mobile holds memories for Gregg Allman, who plays Saenger Dec. 30|date=December 18, 2012|first=Lawrence|last=Specker|work=[[Press-Register]]|publisher=[[AL.com]]|access-date=September 30, 2015}}</ref> Afterwards, they were booked at the Sahara Club in nearby [[Pensacola]], Florida, for several weeks.<ref name="PS09">{{cite news|url=http://www.pnj.com/article/20091101/LIFE/911010302|title='Florida Rocks Again!'|date=November 1, 2009|first= Troy|last= Moon |work=[[Pensacola News Journal]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091205222427/http://www.pnj.com/article/20091101/LIFE/911010302|archive-date=December 5, 2009}}</ref> Allman later regarded Pensacola as "a real turning point in my life", as it was where he learned how to capture audiences and about stage presence.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=66}} He also received his first [[Vox Continental|Vox keyboard]] there, and learned how to play it over the ensuing tour.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=70}} By the following summer, they were able to book time at a studio in Nashville, where they recorded several songs, aided by a plethora of drugs. These recordings were later released as ''Early Allman'' in 1973, to Allman's dismay.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=72}} He soon grew tired of performing covers and began writing original compositions.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=73}} They settled in [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]] for a time, where in the spring of 1967 they began performing alongside Johnny Sandlin and [[Paul Hornsby]], among others, under various names. They considered disbanding, but Bill McEuen, manager of the [[Nitty Gritty Dirt Band]], convinced the band to relocate to Los Angeles, giving them the funds to do so.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=77}}
{{listen|filename=The Allman Brothers Band - Melissa.ogg |title="Melissa"|description="[[Melissa (The Allman Brothers Band song)|Melissa]]" was the first original song Allman completed, and followed over 200 attempts.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://americansongwriter.com/2017/05/behind-song-melissa-allman-brothers/|title=The Allman Brothers Band, "Melissa"|date=May 30, 2017|author= Jim Beviglia |work=[[American Songwriter]]|access-date=July 14, 2017}}</ref>|format=[[Ogg]]}}
He arranged a recording contract with [[Liberty Records]] in June 1967,{{sfn|Poe|2008|p=41}} and they began to record an album under the new name the [[Hour Glass (band)|Hour Glass]], suggested by their producer, Dallas Smith. Recording was a difficult experience; "the music had no life to it—it was poppy, preprogrammed shit", Allman felt.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=81}} Though they considered themselves [[sellouts]], they needed money to live.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=81}} At concerts, they declined to play anything off their [[Hour Glass (Hour Glass album)|debut album]], released that October, instead opting to play the blues.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=91}} Such gigs were sparse, however, as Liberty only allowed one performance per month.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=83}} After some personnel changes, they recorded their second album, ''[[Power of Love (Hour Glass album)|Power of Love]]'', released in March 1968. It contained more original songs by Allman, though they still felt constricted by its process. The band broke up when Duane explicitly told off executives at Liberty. They threatened to [[Non-compete clause|freeze the band]], so they would be unable to record for any other label for seven years.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=96}} Allman stayed behind to appease the label, giving them the rights to a solo album. The rest of the band mocked Allman, viewing him as too scared to leave and return to the South.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=96}} Meanwhile, Duane began doing session work at [[FAME Studios]] in [[Muscle Shoals, Alabama]], where he began putting together a new band. He phoned his brother with the proposition of joining the new band—which would have two guitarists and two drummers. With his deal at Liberty fulfilled, he drove to [[Jacksonville, Florida]], in March 1969 to jam with the new band.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=109}} He called the birth of the group "one of the finer days in my life ... I was starting to feel like I belonged to something again."{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=110}}

== The Allman Brothers Band and mainstream success ==
{{Main|The Allman Brothers Band}}

=== Formation, touring, and Duane's death (1969–1971) ===
The Allman Brothers Band moved to [[Macon, Georgia|Macon]], Georgia,{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=32}} and forged a strong brotherhood, spending countless hours rehearsing, consuming [[psychedelic drugs]], and hanging out in [[Rose Hill Cemetery (Macon, Georgia)|Rose Hill Cemetery]].{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=46}}{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=127}} In addition to Gregg, the band included Duane, [[Dickey Betts]] on guitar, [[Berry Oakley]] on bass, and [[Jaimoe]] and [[Butch Trucks]] on drums.<ref name="AM"/> The group remade blues numbers like "[[Trouble No More (song)|Trouble No More]]" and "[[One Way Out (song)|One Way Out]]", in addition to improvising jams.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=41}} Gregg, who had struggled to write in the past, became the band's main songwriter, composing songs such as "Whipping Post" and "Midnight Rider".{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=42}} The group's [[The Allman Brothers Band (album)|self-titled debut album]] was released in November 1969 through [[Atco Records|Atco]] and [[Capricorn Records]],<ref>{{cite book|last      = Freeman|first     = Scott|title     = Midnight Riders: The Story of the Allman Brothers Band|year      = 1996|publisher = Little, Brown and Company|isbn      = 978-0316294522|page=59}}</ref> but suffered from poor sales.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=64}} The band played continuously in 1970, performing over 300 dates on the road,{{sfn|Poe|2008|p=144}} which contributed to a larger following.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=94}} Their second record, ''[[Idlewild South]]'',{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=92}} was issued in September 1970, and also received a muted commercial response.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=92}}
[[File:Duane Allman.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Allman's elder brother [[Duane Allman|Duane]], who was killed in a motorcycle crash in 1971]]

Their fortunes began to change over the course of 1971, where the band's average earnings doubled.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=115}} "We realized that the audience was a big part of what we did, which couldn't be duplicated in a studio. A lightbulb finally went off; we needed to make a live album", said Gregg.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=117}} ''At Fillmore East'', recorded at the [[Fillmore East]] in New York City, was released in July 1971.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=124}} ''At Fillmore East'' peaked at number thirteen on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'s}} [[Billboard 200|Top Pop Albums]] chart, and was certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] that October, becoming their commercial and artistic breakthrough.{{sfn|Poe|2008|p=187}} Although suddenly very wealthy and successful, much of the band and its entourage now struggled with addiction to numerous drugs; they all agreed to quit heroin, but [[cocaine]] remained a problem.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=147}}

Duane was killed in a motorcycle accident on October 29, 1971, in Macon.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=156}} At his funeral, Gregg performed "Melissa", which was his brother's favorite song.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=196}} As the band took some time apart to process their loss, ''At Fillmore East'' became a major success domestically.

=== Mainstream success and fame (1972–1976) ===
After Duane's death, the band held a meeting on their future; it was clear all wanted to continue, and after a short period, the band returned to the road.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=162}} They completed their third studio album, ''[[Eat a Peach]]'', that winter, which raised each member's spirits.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=204}} ''Eat a Peach'' was released the following February, and it became the band's second hit album, shipping gold and peaking at number four on ''Billboard''{{'s}} album chart.<ref name="AM" /> The band purchased 432 acres of land in [[Juliette, Georgia]], which became a group hangout.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=175}} Berry Oakley, however, was visibly suffering from Allman's death,{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=185}} and in November 1972 he too was killed in a motorcycle crash.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=189}}
{{listen|filename=Gregg Allman - Queen of Hearts.ogg |title="Queen of Hearts"|description="Queen of Hearts" led Allman to record his first solo album, ''[[Laid Back (album)|Laid Back]]'' (1973).|format=[[Ogg]]||pos=left}}
The band unanimously decided to carry on, and enlisted [[Lamar Williams]] on bass and [[Chuck Leavell]] on piano. The band began recording ''Brothers and Sisters'', their follow-up album, and Betts became the group's ''de facto'' leader during the recording process.<ref name="AM.1" /> Meanwhile, after some internal disagreements, Allman began recording a solo album, which he titled ''Laid Back''. The sessions for both albums often overlapped and its creation caused tension within the rest of the band.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=216}} Both albums were released in late 1973, with ''Brothers and Sisters'' cementing the Allman Brothers' place among the biggest rock bands of the 1970s. "[[Ramblin' Man (The Allman Brothers Band song)|Ramblin' Man]]", Betts' country-infused number, rose to number two on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and gave the band their biggest hit.<ref name="AM">{{cite web |first=Bruce |last=Eder |title=The Allman Brothers Band&nbsp;– All Music Guide |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-allman-brothers-band-mn0000745964/biography |access-date=September 30, 2015}}</ref> The group returned to touring, and played arenas and stadiums almost solely. Privately, the group was dealing with miscommunication and spiraling drug problems.<ref name="AM" />{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=211}} In 1974, the band was regularly making $100,000 per show, and was renting [[the Starship]], a customized [[Boeing 720]]B used by [[Led Zeppelin]] and [[the Rolling Stones]].{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=230}}

Band member relationships became increasingly frustrated, amplified by heavy drug and alcohol abuse.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=244}} In January 1975, Allman began a relationship with pop star Cher—which made him more "[[famous for being famous]] than for his music", according to biographer Alan Paul.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=234}} The sessions that produced 1975's ''[[Win, Lose or Draw (album)|Win, Lose or Draw]]'', the last album by the original Allman Brothers Band, were disjointed and inconsistent.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=253}} Upon its release, it was considered subpar and sold less than its predecessor; the band later remarked that they were "embarrassed" by the album.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=236}} Though their relationships were fraying, the Allman Brothers Band went on tour for some of the biggest crowds of their career.{{sfn|Allman|Light|2012|p=262}} Allman later pointed to a benefit for presidential candidate [[Jimmy Carter]] as the only real "high point" in an otherwise "rough, rough tour".{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=30}}{{sfn|Allman|Light|2012|p=268}} The "breaking point" came when Allman testified in the trial of security man Scooter Herring, who was arrested and soon convicted on five counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.<ref name="AM" /> Bandmates considered Allman a "snitch", and he received death threats, leading to law enforcement protection.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=237}} Herring received a 75-year prison sentence, but he only served eighteen months.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=237}} The band refused to communicate with Allman after the ordeal and finally broke up.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=237}} Leavell, Williams, and Jaimoe continued playing together in [[Sea Level (band)|Sea Level]], Betts formed [[Great Southern (band)|Great Southern]], and Allman founded the Gregg Allman Band.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=245}}

== Mid-career and struggles ==
=== Marriages, breakups, and music (1975–1981) ===
[[File:Cher and Gregg Allman (cropped).jpg|thumb|alt=Cher, in a fitted tank top and jeans, stands next to Gregg Allman, who has long blond hair and a beard, wearing a buttoned-up shirt.|right|upright=0.9|Allman with then-wife [[Cher]] in 1976]]

Allman married Cher in June 1975, and the two lived in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]] during their years together as tabloid favorites.<ref name="HR15" /> Their marriage produced one son, Elijah Blue Allman, who was born in July 1976.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=277}} He recorded his second solo album, ''[[Playin' Up a Storm]]'', with the Gregg Allman Band, and it was released in May 1977. He also worked on a collaborative album with Cher titled ''[[Two the Hard Way]]'', which, upon its release, was a massive failure.<ref name="AM.1">{{cite web |first=Bruce |last=Eder |title=Gregg Allman&nbsp;– All Music Guide |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gregg-allman-mn0000801101/biography |access-date=September 30, 2015}}</ref> The couple went to Europe to tour in support of both albums,<ref name="gruber">{{cite news | title=Gregg and Cher are singing together | author=Gruber, Ruth | publisher=[[United Press International]] | date=November 16, 1977}}</ref> though the crowd reception was mixed.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=280}} With a combination of Allman Brothers fans and Cher fans, fights often broke out in venues, which led Cher to cancel the tour.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=281}} Turmoil began to overwhelm their relationship, and the two divorced in 1979.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[A&E Networks]] |url=http://www.biography.com/people/gregg-allman-20791309 |website=[[Biography (TV program)|Biography.com]] |title=Gregg Allman Biography |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131191342/http://www.biography.com/people/gregg-allman-20791309 |archive-date=January 31, 2016}}</ref> Allman returned to Daytona Beach to stay with his mother, spending the majority of his time partying, chasing women, and touring with [[the Nighthawks]], a blues band.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|pp=282–83}}

The Allman Brothers Band reunited in 1978.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=284}} Allman remembered that each member had his own reasons for rejoining, though he surmised it was a combination of displeasure with how things ended, missing each other, and a need for money.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=285}} The band's reunion album, ''[[Enlightened Rogues]]'', was released in February 1979 and was a mild commercial success.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=246}}{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=247}} Betts's lawyer, Steve Massarsky, began managing the group,{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=247}} and led the band to sign with [[Arista Records|Arista]], who pushed the band to "modernize" their sound.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=249}} Drugs remained a problem with the band, particularly for Betts and Allman.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=251}} The band again grew apart, replacing Jaimoe with new guitarist [[Dan Toler]]'s brother Frankie.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=256}} The band considered their post-reunion albums—''[[Reach for the Sky (The Allman Brothers Band album)|Reach for the Sky]]'' (1980) and ''[[Brothers of the Road (album)|Brothers of the Road]]'' (1981)—"embarrassing", and subsequently broke up in 1982.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|pp=295–96}}

=== Downtime, a surprise hit, and another reformation (1982–1990) ===

Allman spent much of the 1980s adrift and living in [[Sarasota, Florida]] with friends.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=302}} David "Rook" Goldflies, Allman's bass player, managed to bring him to Kenny Veenstra's Progressive Music Studios in Tampa. There he recorded vocals on a number of Goldflies' songs. Though Allman had never heard the cuts, he sang them perfectly... one line at a time... (the producer promising beer and pizza after he finished the vocals). His alcohol abuse was at one of its worst points, with Allman consuming "a minimum of a fifth of [[vodka]] a day."{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=296}} He felt the local police pursued him heavily; during this time, he was arrested and charged with a [[DUI]].{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=304}} While he did not consider himself "washed up", he noted in his autobiography that he kept a "fear of everybody forgetting about you."{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=304}} Southern rock had faded from view and [[electronic music]] formed much of the pop music of the decade. "There was hardly anybody playing live music, and those who did were doing it for not much money, in front of some die-hard old [[hippies]] in real small clubs", he later recalled.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=298}} Nevertheless, he reformed the Gregg Allman Band and toured nationwide.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=303}}

By 1986, having grown tired of financial instability, Allman approached Betts for a co-headlining tour, a sort-of Allman Brothers reunion.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=305}} After recording several demos, Allman was offered a recording contract by [[Epic Records]].{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=306}} His third solo release, ''[[I'm No Angel (album)|I'm No Angel]]'' (1987), sold well; its [[I'm No Angel (Bill Medley song)|title track]] became a surprise hit on radio. Allman released another solo album the following year, ''[[Just Before the Bullets Fly]]'', though it did not sell as well as its predecessor. In the late 1980s, he moved to Los Angeles.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=309}} He married Danielle Galiana in what he dubbed a [[midlife crisis]].{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=309}}<ref name="Thompson2020">{{cite book |editor1-last=Thompson |editor1-first=Clifford |title=Contemporary World Musicians |date=2020 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-93961-8 |page=58 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qVYAEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT58}}</ref> The marriage began with Allman overdosing—"so [it] started off with a bang", he said.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=310}} He dabbled in acting starting in 1989, taking several small parts. His largest (and final) role was criminal Will Gaines in the 1991 crime drama ''[[Rush (1991 film)|Rush]]''.

The Allman Brothers Band celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 1989, and the band reunited once more for a summer tour, with Jaimoe again on drums.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=269}} They featured guitarist [[Warren Haynes]] and pianist [[Johnny Neel]], both from the Dickey Betts Band, and bassist [[Allen Woody]].{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=269}} The band returned to the studio with longtime producer Tom Dowd for 1990's ''[[Seven Turns]]'', which was considered a return to form.<ref name="AM" />{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=277}} "[[Good Clean Fun (The Allman Brothers Band song)|Good Clean Fun]]" and "[[Seven Turns (song)|Seven Turns]]" each became big hits on the [[Mainstream Rock Tracks]] chart. The addition of Haynes and Woody had "reenergized" the ensemble.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=280}}

=== Reforming the band and breaking addictions (1991–2000) ===
The newly reformed Allman Brothers began touring heavily,{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=294}} which helped build a new fan base: Neel left the group and the band added percussionist [[Marc Quiñones]], formerly of [[Spyro Gyra]], the following year.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=290}} They recorded two more studio albums—''[[Shades of Two Worlds]]'' (1992) and ''[[Where It All Begins]]''. In 1993 his youngest daughter Layla Brooklyn Allman was born while Gregg was living in [[Novato, California]]. When his relationship with Shelby Blackburn ended, Layla and Shelby moved back to Los Angeles. Allman's older daughter, Island, came to live with him in Novato, and despite early struggles, they eventually grew very close.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=324}}

The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in January 1995; Allman was severely inebriated and could barely make it through his acceptance speech.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=318}} Seeing the ceremony broadcast on television later, Allman was mortified, providing a catalyst for his final, successful attempt to quit alcohol and substance abuse. He hired two in-home nurses that switched twelve-hour shifts to help him through the process.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=330}}

For much of the 1990s, Allman lived in [[Marin County, California]], spending his free time with close friends and riding his motorcycle.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=325}} He recorded a fifth solo album, ''[[Searching for Simplicity]]'', which was quietly released on [[550 Music]] in 1997.<ref name="AM.1" /> Despite positive developments in his personal life, relationships began declining in the band yet again.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=312}} Haynes and Woody left to focus on [[Gov't Mule]], feeling as though a break was imminent.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=323}} The group recruited [[Oteil Burbridge]] of the [[Col. Bruce Hampton and The Aquarium Rescue Unit|Aquarium Rescue Unit]] to replace Woody on bass, and Jack Pearson on guitar.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=326}} Concerns arose over the increasing loudness of Allman Brothers shows, which were largely centered on Betts.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=323}} "It had ceased to be a band—everything had to be based around what Dickey was playing", said Allman.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=344}} Pearson, struggling with [[tinnitus]], left as a result.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=331}} Butch Trucks phoned his nephew, [[Derek Trucks]], to join the band for their thirtieth anniversary tour.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=333}} Anger boiled over within the group towards Betts, which led to all original members sending him a letter, informing him of their intentions to tour without him.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=342}} All involved contended that the break was temporary, but Betts responded by hiring a lawyer and suing the group, which led to a permanent divorce.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=344}} That August, Woody was found dead in a hotel room in New York,{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=359}} which hit Allman particularly hard.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=341}} In 2001, Haynes rejoined the band,{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=359}} setting the stage for over a decade of stability within the group.

== Later life ==
=== Touring and health problems (2000–2011) ===
[[File:Gregg Allman at the Beacon Theatre, NYC.jpg|thumb|Allman during the Allman Brothers Band's annual residency at the [[Beacon Theatre (New York City)|Beacon Theatre]] in New York in 2009]]
Allman moved to [[Richmond Hill, Georgia]], in 2000, purchasing five acres on the [[Belfast River (Georgia)|Belfast River]].<ref name="cs11">{{cite news|url=http://www.connectsavannah.com/savannah/beating-back-the-blues/Content?oid=2136231|title=Beating back the blues|first=Bill|last=DeYoung|date= January 17, 2012|work=Connect Savannah|access-date=September 30, 2015}}</ref> The last incarnation of the Allman Brothers Band was well-regarded among fans and the general public, and remained stable and productive.<ref name="AM" /> The band released its final studio album, ''[[Hittin' the Note]]'' (2003), to critical acclaim.<ref name=rs>Serpick, Evan (2001). ''The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll''. New York: [[Simon & Schuster]], 1136 pp. First edition, 2001.</ref> Allman co-wrote many songs on the record with Haynes, and regarded it as his favorite album by the group since their earliest days. The band continued to tour throughout the 2000s, remaining a top touring act, regularly attracting more than 20,000 fans.<ref name="AM" /> The decade closed with a successful fortieth anniversary celebration at the [[Beacon Theatre (New York City)|Beacon Theatre]], where the band would hold residencies most years during their reunion.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=379}} In 2014, the Allman Brothers Band performed their final concerts, as Haynes and Derek Trucks desired to depart the group.<ref name="RS-Haynes-Trucks">Doyle, Patrick (January 8, 2014). [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/warren-haynes-and-derek-trucks-leaving-allman-brothers-band-20140108 "Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks Leaving Allman Brothers Band"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625114640/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/warren-haynes-and-derek-trucks-leaving-allman-brothers-band-20140108 |date=June 25, 2017 }}, ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. Retrieved March 8, 2014.</ref><ref name="cbs">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/allman-brothers-band-bids-farewell-to-derek-trucks-and-warren-haynes/|publisher=[[CBS News]]|title=The Allman Brothers Band bids farewell to stage|date=October 28, 2014|access-date=September 30, 2015}}</ref>

Allman struggled with health problems during the last years of his life. He was diagnosed with [[hepatitis C]] in 2007, which he attributed to a dirty [[tattoo needle]].{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=346}} By the next year, three [[tumor]]s were discovered within his [[liver]].{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=347}} He went on a waiting list and after five months, he underwent a successful [[liver transplant]] in 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cleveland.com/music/index.ssf/2010/06/gregg_allman_undergoes_success.html|title=Gregg Allman undergoes successful liver transplant|date=June 24, 2010|work=Cleveland.com|access-date=May 28, 2017|language=en-US|via=Associated Press}}</ref>

In 2011, Allman went public about his battle with hepatitis C. He headlined Merck and the American Liver Foundation's "Tune In to Hep C Campaign" to raise awareness and urge baby boomers to get tested and treated.<ref>Sharon Tanenbaum, [https://www.everydayhealth.com/hepatitis/1213/gregg-allman-living-with-chronic-hepatitis-c.aspx "Gregg Allman: Living With Chronic Hepatitis C"], "Everyday Health", December 13, 2011</ref> As part of Tune In to Hep C, The Allman Brothers Band headlined a hepatitis C fundraiser and awareness concert at the Beacon Theatre in New York. The concert raised $250,000 to benefit the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable and the American Liver Foundation for education and awareness efforts.<ref>American Liver Foundation Press Release [https://web.archive.org/web/20130105183648/http://www.liverfoundation.org/about/news/404/ "Tune In to Hep C Benefit Concert Raises Over $250,000 for Community-Based Groups Supporting People with Chronic Hepatitis C"], American Liver Foundation, July 28, 2011</ref> The National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable in October 2017 created the Gregg Allman Hepatitis C Leadership Award – an annual award to posthumously honor Allman and others who work on behalf of people living with hepatitis C. Michael Lehman, Allman's longtime manager, accepted the award on his behalf.<ref>News via Gregg Allman's Official Website, [http://www.greggallman.com/gregg-to-be-honored-with-memorial-advocacy-award/ "Gregg to be honored with Memorial Advocacy Award"], ''GreggAllman.com'', October 19, 2017</ref>

Allman's seventh album, ''[[Low Country Blues]]'', was produced by [[T-Bone Burnett]]. Upon its release in January 2011, it represented Allman's highest-ever chart peak in the U.S., debuting at number five.<ref name="US-albums">{{cite magazine | url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Gregg Allman|chart=Billboard 200}} | title=Gregg Allman&nbsp;– Chart History: Billboard 200 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=September 30, 2015}}</ref> He promoted the album heavily in Europe, until he had to cancel the rest of the trip due to an [[upper respiratory infection]].{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=356}} This led to lung surgery later in 2011,<ref name="cs11" /> and rehab in 2012 for addiction following his treatments.{{sfn|Paul|2014|p=392}} That year, Allman released his memoir, ''[[My Cross to Bear]]'', which was 30 years in the making.<ref name="dn12">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailynews.com/20120514/exclusive-interview-with-gregg-allman-on-his-new-book-my-cross-to-bear|title=Exclusive Interview with Gregg Allman on his new book, 'My Cross to Bear'|first=Paty|last=Elias|date=May 14, 2012|work=Los Angeles Daily News|access-date=September 30, 2015}}</ref> In 2014, a tribute concert was held celebrating his career; it was later released as ''All My Friends: Celebrating the Songs & Voice of Gregg Allman''.<ref name="R14" />

=== Final years and death (2012–2017) ===
[[File:Gregg Allman (5880514910).jpg|thumb|left|200px|Allman performing in 2011]]
After the dissolution of the Allman Brothers, Allman kept busy performing music with his solo band, releasing the live album ''[[Gregg Allman Live: Back to Macon, GA]]'' in 2015.<ref name="wsj15">{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Paul|title=Gregg Allman Plans His Solo Future|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/gregg-allman-plans-his-solo-future-1438184295|date=July 29, 2015|access-date=September 30, 2015|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> In 2016, he received an honorary doctorate from [[Mercer University]] in Macon, presented by former President Jimmy Carter.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jimmy Carter helps give Gregg Allman honorary degree|url=http://music.blog.ajc.com/2016/05/15/jimmy-carter-helps-give-gregg-allman-honorary-degree/|first=Jill|last=Vejnoska|date=May 16, 2016|access-date=July 23, 2016|work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|archive-date=July 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723102159/http://music.blog.ajc.com/2016/05/15/jimmy-carter-helps-give-gregg-allman-honorary-degree/|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, his health problems remained; he had [[atrial fibrillation]], and though he kept it private, his [[liver cancer]] had returned. "He kept it very private because he wanted to continue to play music until he couldn't", his manager Michael Lehman said.<ref name="ct17">{{cite news|author=Russ Bynum and Kristin M. Hall|title=Gregg Allman, Southern rock trailblazer who led Allman Brothers Band, dies at 69|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-gregg-allman-dead-20170527-story.html|date=May 27, 2017|access-date=May 27, 2017|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> He attempted to keep a light schedule at the advice of doctors, who warned that too many performances might amplify his conditions.<ref name="R14">{{cite news|first=Brian|last=Ives|title=Interview: Gregg Allman on His New Diet, 'All My Friends,' and the Future of The Allmans|url=http://radio.com/2014/05/07/interview-gregg-allman-all-my-friends-diet-allman-brothers/|date=May 7, 2014|access-date=September 30, 2015|publisher=Radio.com}}</ref> His last concert took place in Atlanta at his own Laid Back Festival along with [[ZZ Top]] at Lakewood Amphitheatre on October 29, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/may/28/gregg-allman-obituary|title=Gregg Allman obituary|first= Adam |last=Sweeting|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=May 28, 2017|access-date=July 14, 2017}}</ref> In succeeding months, he cancelled his remaining concerts, citing "serious health issues".<ref name="ct17" /> He denied reports that he had entered [[hospice]] care, but was resting at home on doctor's orders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/gregg-allman-not-in-hospice-1202394035/|title=Gregg Allman Has Not Entered Hospice Care, Manager Insists|first=Jem|last=Aswad|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=April 24, 2017|access-date=April 24, 2017}}</ref>

Allman died in his sleep in his Richmond Hill home on May 27, 2017, due to complications from liver cancer at the age of 69.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2017/music/people-news/gregg-allman-dies-dead-69-southern-rock-1202446640|title=Gregg Allman, Southern Rock Pioneer, Dies at 69|last=Morris|first=Chris|date=May 27, 2017|work=Variety|access-date=May 27, 2017}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/gregg-allman-southern-rock-legend-dead-at-69-w433068|title=Gregg Allman, Southern Rock Pioneer, Dead at 69|last=Gehr|first=Richard|date=May 27, 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=May 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/gregg-allman-dead-7759662/|title=Gregg Allman, Soulful Trailblazer of Southern Rock, Dies at 69|last=Wilker|first=Deborah|date=May 27, 2017|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 27, 2017}}</ref> His funeral took place at Snow's Memorial Chapel in Macon on June 3, and was attended by family and associates, including Dickey Betts, Derek Trucks, Cher, and former President Jimmy Carter, among others. According to ''Rolling Stone'', the mourners dressed casually in [[jeans]] per Allman's request, and "hundreds of fans, many wearing Allman Brothers shirts and listening to the band's music, lined the route along the [[funeral procession]]."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/gregg-allman-laid-to-rest-at-macon-funeral-w485721|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|title=Gregg Allman Laid to Rest at Macon Funeral|author=Daniel Kreps|date=June 3, 2017|access-date=June 4, 2017}}</ref> He was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, beside his brother Duane, and fellow band member Berry Oakley.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/27/entertainment/gregg-allman-obituary/|publisher=[[CNN]]|title=Music legend Gregg Allman dies at 69|author=Brandon Griggs|date=May 27, 2017|access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref>

Before his death, Allman recorded his last album, ''[[Southern Blood (album)|Southern Blood]]'', with producer [[Don Was]] at [[FAME Studios]] in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The album was recorded with his then-current backing band.<ref>{{cite news|title=An Interview with Gregg Allman: On His New Album, Alabama, And Good Vibes|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2016/07/20/an-interview-with-gregg-allman-on-his-new-album-alabama-and-good-vibes/|first= Carmen|last= Triola|date=July 20, 2016|access-date=July 23, 2016|work=[[The Aquarian]]}}</ref> The album was released on September 8, 2017,<ref name="AP">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/review-gregg-allman-says-goodbye-with-heart-and-spirit/2017/09/06/b695292a-9343-11e7-8482-8dc9a7af29f9_story.html|title=Review: Gregg Allman says goodbye with heart and spirit|agency=[[Associated Press]]|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|first=Steve|last=Knopper|date=September 6, 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=September 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911115458/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/review-gregg-allman-says-goodbye-with-heart-and-spirit/2017/09/06/b695292a-9343-11e7-8482-8dc9a7af29f9_story.html|archive-date=September 11, 2017}}</ref> and received critical acclaim.<ref name="MC">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/southern-blood/gregg-allman|title=Reviews for Southern Blood by Gregg Allman|work=Metacritic|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=September 8, 2017}}</ref>

In ''My Cross to Bear'', Allman reflected on his life and career:

{{blockquote|Music is my life's blood. I love music, I love to play good music, and I love to play music for people who appreciate it. And when it's all said and done, I'll go to my grave and my brother will greet me, saying, "Nice work, little brother—you did alright." I must have said this a million times, but if I died today, I have had me a blast.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=378}}}}

==Musical style and songwriting==
{{listen|filename=Gregg Allman - Midnight Rider.ogg|title="Midnight Rider"|description=Allman's solo rendition of "Midnight Rider" (1973). He considered it his [[signature song]].|format=[[Ogg]]}}
Allman's style was rooted in rhythm and blues music. He characterized his work with the Allman Brothers Band as "playing some blues with some jazz mixed in."{{sfn|Allman|Light|2012|p=181}} He was introduced to blues music through musician and childhood friend Floyd Miles,{{sfn|Allman|Light|2012|p=417}} who later toured with Allman as a part of his solo band.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/floyd-miles-mn0000196076|title=Floyd Miles|author=Jason Ankeny |publisher=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=July 5, 2017}}</ref> He also gave him advice on how to sing from his stomach, as opposed to his chest. Allman was inspired by [[Little Milton|"Little Milton" Campbell]], who "inspired me all my life to get my voice crisper, get my diaphragm harder, use less air, and just spit it out. He taught me to be absolutely sure of every note you hit, and to hit it solid."{{sfn|Allman|Light|2012|pp=47–48}} After his death, many outlets credited Allman as among the greatest white blues vocalists of his time.<ref>Sources crediting Allman as a "white blues singer":
*{{cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/a-critic-reflects-on-40-some-years-of-being-hooked-on-gregg-allman/425242223/|title=Music critic reflects on 40-some years of being hooked on Gregg Allman|work=[[Star Tribune]]|author=Jon Bream|date=May 30, 2017|access-date=July 5, 2017|quote=I always thought of Gregg Allman, who died Saturday at age 69, as the best white blues vocalist.}}
*{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-allman-brothers-band-songs-critics-picks/|title=The 20 Greatest Allman Brothers Band Songs: Critic's Picks|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|author= Dan Rys|date=May 27, 2017|access-date=July 5, 2017|quote=Gregg Allman has earned his rightful respect as one of the most soulful white blues-soul singers of his generation.}}
*{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/gregg-allman-singer-and-songwriter-most-well-known-for-the-allman-brothers-band-dies-1495917387|title=Gregg Allman, Singer and Songwriter Most Well Known for the Allman Brothers Band, Dies|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|author= Alan Paul|date=May 27, 2017|access-date=July 5, 2017|quote=Often called the greatest white blues singer ...}}</ref> Many close to Allman disputed this, with son Devon Allman commenting, "My dad didn't see color. ... I know people mean well when they say the best white blues singer, but I say take white off of there, because he was just one of the best ever. He just channeled so much feeling."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/gregg-allman-son-devon-interview-7809830/|title=Gregg Allman's Son Devon on His Dad's Legacy, Possible Birthday Concert: 'His Music Will Last Forever'|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|author=Gary Graff|date=May 30, 2017|access-date=July 5, 2017}}</ref> Jaimoe called the label "straight bullshit. He's a great blues singer. A great singer, period."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/allman-brothers-drummer-jaimoe-remembers-gregg-allman-w485240|title=Allman Brothers Drummer Jaimoe Remembers Gregg Allman's Many Talents|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|author=Alan Paul|date=June 2, 2017|access-date=July 5, 2017}}</ref> An editorial published in ''[[The Roanoke Times]]'' questioned that while Allman could rightfully be considered a cultural appropriator, "Is that not the nature of music, or art in general, that it borrows from different cultures to create something new?"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.roanoke.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-gregg-allman-and-the-virtues-of-cultural-appropriation/article_867889dc-4462-5621-9380-fbc118f3727c.html|title=Editorial: Gregg Allman and the virtues of cultural appropriation|work=[[The Roanoke Times]]|date=June 2, 2017|access-date=July 5, 2017}}</ref> Likewise, a ''[[Newsweek]]'' tribute to Allman noted that "[[Ray Charles]] took grief for making a [[Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music|country and western album]], too."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/gregg-allman-allman-brothers-band-allman-brothers-greg-allman-dies-music-617008|title=Gregg Allman: Southern Pride Without the Confederacy|author=Matthew Cooper|work=[[Newsweek]]|date=May 28, 2017|access-date=July 5, 2017}}</ref>

As a songwriter, Allman wrote several famous songs, including "Whipping Post", "Melissa", and "Midnight Rider", which he dubbed the "song I'm most proud of in my career." He could be a very slow songwriter, writing only when inspiration struck. If the song was forced, he felt it could end up contrived. In ''My Cross to Bear'', his 2012 memoir, he laid out his approach to songwriting: the first verse introduces a story, it is expounded upon in the second, and the third may serve as an epilogue.{{sfn|Allman|Light|2012|pp=152–53}} Allman credited singer-songwriter [[John D. Loudermilk]], whom he first met while touring with the Allman Joys, as an influence on his writing. "[He] taught me to let the song come to me, not to force it, not to put down a word just because it might rhyme or fit. He taught me to let the feeling come from your heart and go to your head."{{sfn|Allman|Light|2012|p=68}} Allman received the Songwriter Award from the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in the last year of his life.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://music.blog.ajc.com/2015/09/22/drivin-n-cryin-gregg-allman-sam-moore-set-to-be-inducted-into-georgia-music-hall-of-fame/|title=Drivin' N' Cryin', Gregg Allman, Sam Moore set to be inducted into Georgia Music Hall of Fame|date=June 3, 2016|author=Melissa Ruggieri|work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|access-date=July 5, 2017|archive-date=March 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306202343/http://music.blog.ajc.com/2015/09/22/drivin-n-cryin-gregg-allman-sam-moore-set-to-be-inducted-into-georgia-music-hall-of-fame/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On October 28, 2021, [[Sony Music Publishing]] announced it had signed a global agreement with Gregg Allman's estate to administer its catalog of songs. The deal covered many of Allman's compositions from his time as a member of the Allman Brothers Band, as well as songs written throughout his solo career.<ref>{{Cite press release|last=Publishing|first=Sony Music|title=Sony Music Publishing Signs Global Deal to Administer Gregg Allman Catalog|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-music-publishing-signs-global-deal-to-administer-gregg-allman-catalog-301411275.html|access-date=January 4, 2022|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Allman was married seven times:
* He married Shelley Kay Jefts in 1971; they divorced the following year. They had a son, Devon.
* He married Janice Blair in 1973; they divorced in 1974.  She is pictured on the sleeve of ''Laid Back''.
* His most well-known relationship was with Cher, whom he married in 1975. They had a son, Elijah Blue, and divorced in 1979.
* He wed Julie Bindas in 1979; they had a daughter, Delilah Island, and divorced in 1981.
* He married Danielle Galiana in 1989; they divorced in 1994.
* His longest marriage was to Stacey Fountain, from 2001 to 2008—"seven out-of-sight years," he remarked.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|pp=366–67}}
* In 2012, he announced his engagement to Shannon Williams, who was 40 years his junior.<ref name="abc7.com">{{Cite news|url=http://abc7.com/archive/8677360/|title=Gregg Allman, 64, engaged to 24-year-old woman|publisher=ABC7|location=Los Angeles|access-date=October 27, 2016|archive-date=October 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028020642/http://abc7.com/archive/8677360/|url-status=dead}}</ref> They were married in February 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/gregg-allman-manager-recalls-final-days-1202447277/|title=Gregg Allman's Longtime Manager Recalls the Singer's Final Days and Their Career Together (EXCLUSIVE)|author= Jem Aswad|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=May 29, 2017|date=May 29, 2017}}</ref>

In ''My Cross to Bear'', he wrote that "Every woman I've ever had a relationship with has loved me for who they thought I was."{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|p=229}} At the time of its writing, he noted that he only spoke to two out of his then-six ex-wives, including Cher.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|pp=366–67}}

Allman had five children, three with various wives and two with other women he had relationships with:
* son [[Michael Allman]] (born 1966), lead singer of the Michael Allman Band, from his relationship with Mary Lynn Sutton;
* son [[Devon Allman]] (born 1972), lead singer of [[Honeytribe]] and [[The Allman Betts Band]], from his marriage to Shelley Kay Jefts;
* son [[Elijah Blue Allman]] (born 1976), lead singer of [[Deadsy]], from his marriage to Cher;
* daughter Delilah Island Allman (born 1980) from his marriage to Julie Bindas; and
* daughter Layla Brooklyn Allman (born 1993), lead singer of [[Picture Me Broken]], from a relationship with radio journalist Shelby Blackburn<ref name="abc7.com" />

Allman was averse to organized religion for many years, but claimed he always believed in a God.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/love-family-drugs-gregg-allman-tells-130822287.html|title=Love, family, drugs: Gregg Allman tells it all|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=May 7, 2012|access-date=July 13, 2017|first=Chris|last=Talbott|archive-date=March 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306143201/https://www.yahoo.com/news/love-family-drugs-gregg-allman-tells-130822287.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following his health ailments in the latter stages of his life, he came around to his own form of Christianity, and began wearing a cross necklace. He credited his sixth wife, Stacey Fountain, with helping him increase his faith.{{sfn|Allman | Light|2012|pp=366–67}}

== Discography ==
{{Main|Gregg Allman discography}}
{{See also|The Allman Brothers Band discography}}
'''Studio'''
* ''[[Laid Back (album)|Laid Back]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Playin' Up a Storm]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Two the Hard Way]]'' (1977) <small>(with [[Cher]])</small>
* ''[[I'm No Angel (album)|I'm No Angel]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Just Before the Bullets Fly]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Searching for Simplicity]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Low Country Blues]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Southern Blood (album)|Southern Blood]]'' (2017)

'''Live'''
* ''[[The Gregg Allman Tour]]'' (1974)
* ''[[Gregg Allman Live: Back to Macon, GA]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Uncle Sam's]]'' (2024)
* ''[[One Night in DC: May 15, 1984]]'' (2025)

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row" |1989
| ''Rush Week''
| Cosmo Kincald
|
| style="text-align: center;" |
|-
! scope="row" |1991
| ''[[Rush (1991 film)|Rush]]''
| Will Gaines
|
| style="text-align: center;" |
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row" |1975
| ''[[Cher (TV series)|Cher]]''
| Himself
|
| style="text-align: center;" |
|-
! scope="row" |1990
| ''[[Superboy (TV series)|Superboy]]''
| Samuels
| Episode: "Carnival"
| style="text-align: center;" |
|-
! scope="row" |1992
| ''[[Tales from the Crypt (TV series)|Tales from the Crypt]]''
| Toland
| Episode: "On a Deadman's Chest"
| style="text-align: center;" |
|-
! scope="row" |2000
| ''[[Family Guy]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "[[Let's Go to the Hop]]"
| style="text-align: center;" |
|}

== See also ==
* [[List of Hammond organ players]]
* ''[[Midnight Rider (film)]]''

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

;Sources
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book  |last1 = Allman |first1 = Gregg |last2 = Light |first2 = Alan |title = My Cross to Bear |url = https://archive.org/details/mycrosstobear00allm |url-access = registration |year = 2012 |publisher = William Morrow |isbn = 978-0-06-211203-3 }}
* {{cite book  |last = Paul |first = Alan |title = One Way Out: The Inside History of the Allman Brothers Band |year = 2014 |publisher = St. Martin's Press |isbn = 978-1-250-04049-7 }}
* {{cite book  |last = Poe |first = Randy |title = Skydog: The Duane Allman Story |year = 2008 |publisher = Backbeat Books |isbn = 978-0-87930-939-8 }}
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book|title=Please Be with Me: A Song for My Father, Duane Allman|isbn=978-1-4000-6894-4|first=Galadrielle |last=Allman|year=2014|publisher=Spiegel & Grau|location=New York}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|www.greggallman.com}}
*[https://www.thesoundpodcast.com/blog/2017/9/13/episode-45-michael-lehman Michael Lehman, Gregg's Manager sits down with Ira Haberman of The Sound Podcast shortly after Gregg's passing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004034616/https://www.thesoundpodcast.com/blog/2017/9/13/episode-45-michael-lehman |date=October 4, 2017 }}
*{{Find a Grave|179747835}}

{{Gregg Allman}}
{{The Allman Brothers Band}}
{{1995 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

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