Saw Les Brers twice in October 2016...at the Fillmore in Philadelphia and then the next night at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster, PA where I was fortunate enough to get Jaimoe and Butch to sign the back cover of my vinyl copy of the first ABB album. It may sound sacrilegious to say, but I sort of enjoyed those shows actually more than any ABB proper shows I saw after about 2011.

Little did I know at the Chameleon Club that night what would unfold a few months later with Butch.

I hear ya Jack. This band was on fire and in the mood to play. It reminded me of the original ABB in 1970 and 71.

1989 to about 1993 with the Warren, Dickey, Woody lineup was similar. Trying to leave a trail of smoke on the stage.

In 2001 Butch (and Gregg to a certain extent) were pumped to have Dickey out of the way. But by 2011 it had cooled off. Still good and worth the ticket price but even Butch complained they didn't get out of the zone anymore. Butch was getting bored and knew what Derek and Warren were going to do before they did it. He loved this new band because it was like the original ABB. Jump in the deep end and not worry the slightest about a trainwreck.

I agree with the 2011. Actually 2009. Derek, Warren and even Gregg were ready to move on from the ABB. It had been decided generally they would go through the 40th then fold up the tent. But Butch lobbied hard to keep going. So they decided to go to 2014 and cut way back on how much they play after the Beacon.

As 2014 neared, Butch got cold feet about ending it. I imagine Butch also needed more tours and Beacon shows to help address his growing financial difficulties.

I think Les Brers could have been a solution for Butch and turned into the next Allman Brothers chapter but not using the name.

Also Butch was expecting the ABB to do a big coast to coast farewell tour which never happened because of Gregg's health and by later in 2014 Warren and Derek had moved on. Butch needed that tour and it's a shame things got so desperate for Butch. He was a great rock drummer and a good guy and loved the Allman Brothers. I believe Butch was the ONLY ONE who played every gig from the very first gig in the park to the end in 2014.

I just ordered the four shows from September 2016 from MunckMix as they were running a special on them. Oddly the five or so shows from October 2016 are not available at MunckMix despite there being tons of footage of those gigs up on YouTube. I didn't see any of the Les Brers in person while Butch was still with us. Last time catching Butch live was in a small 300-400 person theatre in April of '16. My first time seeing Butch sing lead on a song and Artimus came up and played a song near the end. I caught the final Les Brers show at PF '17 with Duane on drums. I'll let you know what I think after I really sink my teeth in these shows it's taking forever for them to deliver as I ordered last day of January.

I will say that I feel that It's a true shame this band wasn't to be and won't be this year for the 50th. Jack and Pat and the guys had it completely dialed in. . . At least we have the tapes.

I saw Les Bres once with Butch and twice with Duane Trucks after Butch passed. They were great. Lamar Jr. has the pipes to sing Gregg songs and the rest of the players were lights out. Warren joined them on stage for one song at Wanee. If Gregg had sauntered on to the Mushroom stage (he didn't), we'd have had an impromptu ABB reunion.

They were great at Wanee and Peachfest with Duane Trucks, too. I'd love to see them if they ever do it again.

I'm going to pick up a couple recordings.

Yes saw them in September of 2016 at the Ridgefield playhouse in CT.
They did 2 lengthy sets and Arlen Roth joined them for one song
I also purchased the show on cd
I was pumped for this incarnation but unfortunately it was short lived....

I was at that show, MusicMan. It was sweet and loose, and the recording is enjoyable. The raw energy and spirit of it made Butch's death ten times as surprising as it would have been otherwise.

I was at that show, MusicMan. It was sweet and loose, and the recording is enjoyable. The raw energy and spirit of it made Butch's death ten times as surprising as it would have been otherwise.

I agree
saw Jack in the lobby before the show and said hello and he looked at me as if he should know me but I told him I was just a fan! That was my first time seeing Pearson and he didnt disappoint.

After Butch died, I remember seeing a band billed as Les Bros, I forget if it was for the Xmas Jam or Peach or whatever. I think it had some/most of the players from Les Brers, but I guess it fizzled out.

It's really too bad. Jack Pearson and Pat Berguson were an awesome guitar tandem.

My first as well.

I don't own anything with him on it that I can think of, and I had not done my Jack homework, so seeing him live was a real eye-opener. What a master of sound.