Ha ha. I won't again go through the reasons the original 6 are the high water mark for the Allman Brothers. Some here think it's the last lineup and I seem to step on their toes. But I will say later lineups have their strong shows. I was listening to Nassau Coliseum, a 1973 show again last night and Les Brers in A minor was so good with Chuck, Lamar and Jaimoe especially strong on this long jamming version. And so does the last lineup which is the longest lineup. 2001-2014. But it's not what us old guys ( I'm 72) call the real ABB. Don't like no trumpet playing band...its not what we call rock and roll..to borrow a line from Mark Knoffler. Well I agree with our friend here that the Danny Toler lineup had so very strong shows. I saw two in 1979 that smoked. And it's my least favorite lineup, one Butch Trucks said was their worst with the wrong chemistry especially after they sacked Jaimoe. So please understand just because the ABB was at it's best musically and spiritually with the Duane band do NOT mean later lineups sucked. No later lineups were way better than most bands playing. When the last lineup got down to Gregg and the drummers left from the original, that and some of the new covers made me miss the original 6 even more when I went to the show.

Right now the show that stands out in my mind is High Point College in early 1971. I was right in front of Duane and Dickey. They didn't look at each other that much. Apparently they listened to each other. It was an amazing display of two guitars with different styles and tones playing as if one brain was controlling four arms. The entire band sounded that way. Duane and Berry came out and mingled a bit with the fans before the show. Berry seemed to really care that the people could afford the tickets and the T shirts etc were worth their price and they cared about their fans and how we are also part of the band and the energy and spiritual vibe that flows from us to them then back to us.

One guy ask Duane what was his favorite guitar of the ones he uses and he said something like " I'm going to make a parts guitar that will have it all. A Tele body with a big fat humbucker and a good Strat neck. Clapton is right about those necks".

They had Juicy Carter and a couple other horn players who played on several songs and they sounded real good but I liked it better when it was just the 6 of them except Ace. The vibe and energy was diluted with the horns. It didn't sound like one brain controlling 6 men play their instruments then and Tom Dowd later didn't like it. Sometimes a lot of guests changes the vibe we expect from certain bands. I only remember Ace on harp at just 3 or 4 of the 16 original band shows I saw. Apparently he didn't go with them as much as some think. But Ace was a perfect fit. He had been infected by Duane's energy too.

But when they got to the Fillmore to record, Tom Down shut down the tape machines in the middle of the show and told Duane if they are going to do a record here the horns have to go or we won't do an album.

I was too young to see the original band since I was in early grade school. Love these stories so I hope more chime in.

Original 6 were iconic and created a new sound. I loved the last version of the band & saw them 30 times but how anyone could seed them #1 is beyond me. C'mon MAN, that's ridiculous.

envisioned, Thanx.

I luv blackey’s posts

I remember the show, but specific is tough after 50 yrs.
It was advertised on WAPE that week as "The New Second Coming and the New Band.
The crowd was the same Hippies, Surfers and Sailors. The bands played the same songs
they had been playing for last 6 months, but what I remember is Gregg singing them, what a game
changer. They packed up and headed to Macon within a week of this gig. Now the ABB officially, they
returned to the Beach Coliseum 2 times and thats the shows I remember.
Stuff like changing how they played " Don't want you no more", and hearing Dreams and Whipping Post for the first time there. Wondering whats the kettle drums for. The last time they played Jax Beach they came to town with a Winnbago and old Dodge truck, and Reddog told us about the Byron Festival coming up.
Hats off to Hans and Scott at DuaneAllman.info for their preservation of the legacy and hardwork to get it right.

Dickey and Berry were doing Don't Want You No More and Hoochie Coochie Man in Second Coming. Yes that Winnabago was Phil Walden's answer to getting them out of the cramped van they were using. The 6 originals were packed in that like sardines using each other as pillows. They took a certain cough medicine to get high and sleep in those tight and uncomfortable conditions.

I remember hearing they called the Winnabago the Windbag as it apparently broke down a lot. But the 6 musicians could stretch out without touching each other in the Winnabago. And it wasn't so cold in it in the winter.

The Second Coming kinda evolved into the ABB in a way. Duane began sitting in regularly and eventually Butch and Jaimoe were on drums. And as DWB said they eventually would do a second set as "The New Band" with Gregg singing. They selected the name "Beelzebub" but Phil Walden was opposed. Phil was expecting a 3 piece band centered on Duane Allman and they show up in Macon a 6 piece with a name he didn't like. Phil wanted Duane's name involved. They kicked around Allman Act and Duane Allman and Company then many fans claimed Berry said they decided to vote and more of them wrote Allman Brothers Band on paper in the hat so they presented that to Phil and he okayed it. But Duane clashed with Phil when he noticed cropped pictures of just Gregg and Duane. One was on the first album. Duane said the other 4 are NOT sidemen. We are a 6 piece band of equals but when we need a leader, I'm it. When Duane saw the first album he made it clear to Capricorn to never promoted the band as just him and his brother. We are the Allman BROTHERS and all 6 are the brothers.

X2 Rainy - come on Blackey are you just an early fan, roadie?

I was a senior in high school when i first saw the ABB. It was the last night at the Fillmore East for the general public, I think it was March/April 1970. My friends and I bought tickets because it was the last show. We knew very little about the Allman brothers but wanted to go to the last show. Leading up to the show all we could talk about was how many better bands they could have picked to close the Fillmore ( Santana, Clapton etc. ). The night of the show I freely we admit we got really buzzed. The opening act I think was Albert King followed by the J Geils band. The Fillmore always had 3 bands back then. It was the Saturday night late show and the ABB didn't come out till about 2 A.M. I can't recall all the details but a couple of things stood the test of time. First we had heard of Duane , due to Layla, and were really stoked to see him but it was Dickey that caught me off guard. I remember saying to my friends Duane is great but this other guy is great also. About 2 hours in, just after one of their Jams , I think Whipping Post, they look to Bill Graham and he gives them the play all night go ahead. The final song was revival and during the song they opened the doors to the Fillmore and it was light out ( approx. 6 A.M. ). I have seen hundreds of shows and I am 66 years old but that was the best show I ever saw. No one has ever taken me higher or excited me more. it was almost religious as silly as that sounds. I saw them 1 more time with Duane at the New York academy of Music and that was great also but not as great as the Fillmore. The next time I saw them was at Carnegie Hall after Duane passed and J Geils filled in on guitar. I cried after that show and realized I would never see them again. I left the ABB after that, meaning I listened to their music but no more shows for me as the magic was gone and so was the man. Fast forward 25 years and I'm at the Carefree Theater in West Palm Beach Fl. and I go to see 19 year old Derek trucks. I didn't know Derek but had heard about him. I had no idea of his connection to the ABB at all. While not nearly as exciting as the Brothers there was something about him and his playing that lit a flame. He opened the door for me after I found out about the ABB connection and the love affair was rekindled. No one can replace the original lineup for me but Derek is IMHO opinion the finest player I have ever seen. I know others don't agree but the reason I say it is he is the only player that brought back that religious feeling to me. When he played with the ABB or Clapton it was gospel. I hope i wasn't too long winded but this is an old memory that brings me great joy.

great story

so the "played all night" legend is in fact true. we have a witness
😉

I never saw Duane but the 1st time I saw Derek I almost cried as I thought - what if Duane had lived. this is the closest I'll ever get, and it's pretty damned close

X2, great story Old Dog

Awesome story, OldDog. Thanks for sharing.

So did you ever go back and see the ABB live again - meaning with Derek?

Thanks for sharing Olddog. Very nice reading for those of us too young to have seen the originals.

Thanks for the very interesting tale OldDog. I think your description is about a year off though since Live At The Fillmore was recorded in March of 1971, so how could a show in 1970 be the last at The Fillmore? You said "the general public" and I'm not sure what that means. Are you saying admission required a personal invitation for the final year The Fillmore was open?

It was the last night at the Fillmore East for the general public, I think it was March/April 1970.

[Edited on 4/11/2019 by robslob]

Well, OldDog's post is very interesting because he attended the mythical June 26, 1971 show, the last general audience show at the Fillmore East. The June 27, 1971 late shows were the last shows but they were invite only.

Here's a good article on the June 26 show: https://duaneallman.com/the-night-they-closed-the-fillmore-down/

A recording of this show is the Holy Grail in the trading community but one has yet to surface.

If Butch Trucks remembered it correctly it would be the Holy Grail show to have. Butch said yet again in 2016 while talking about The Freight Train Band that the next to the last night of the Fillmore was the hottest and best show the ABB ever did from the beginning to 2014. The music was intense and it just flowed. All 6 was on their A game and it was if nobody could make a mistake. Even when going out there while jamming.

Guys I will do my best to answer. I may be screwed on the dates but I remember it being spring, June seems a little late does anyone know if they played the Fillmore before June? I thought it was the first time they played the Fillmore. I know the New York Academy show was summer as the air conditioner broke and fire Marshalls came in and were going to stop the show. The comment last show to the public was answered by someone already in that there were later show(s)? that were invite only and i don't mean just the Allman Brothers but other bands. I think the last one may have been broadcast on radio. For whatever reason despite all the great Jams the tune I remember most was Revival because when they opened the doors I was stunned. I had no idea they played 4 hours as it was so intense and I was young, hearing them for the first time and kissing the sky. It was the most surreal sight I have ever seen at a show and no light/laser could ever duplicate it. The Fillmore was old and the Balcony would rock when things heated up. The morning light streaming into that old theater will never be duplicated nor topped for me. And today no venue would let you have a show from 11:30 till 6/6:30. If it helps, it might be due to my state of mind, but I remember Dickey wearing an Indian feather in his hair at the beginning. My memory isn't the best and I don't know about a " Holy Grail " but that show was more than special and It's impossible for me to imagine them being any better.

OldDog,

The show you describe could be no other than June 26, 1971. (The Academy of Music show was August 15, 1971. It's notable because it's one of only a few recorded Duane shows when "Blue Sky" was played although the recording is poor.)

The ABB played the Fillmore East five other times. On December 26-28, 1969, they were the opening act for Blood, Sweat and Tears. On February 11-14, 1970, they played shows with the Dead. On September 23, 1970, they played a show that was taped for a possible television broadcast. Also included were Van Morrison and the Byrds. On December 11-12, 1970, they played shows with Canned Heat. On March 11-13, 1971, they played the shows that were recorded for the "At Fillmore East" album which included Johnny Winter and Elvin Bishop. On June 25-26, 1971, they played shows with Albert King and The J. Geils Band.

You are fortunate to have seen this show. It's the show that most ABB fans would pick if they could be transported back in time and see one show.

Scott then that had to be it , because it was Albert and J Geils. I remember at the Academy it was the first time I had heard Blue Sky. The place was sweltering and there is no way I could have made it through the show today. Only a young guy could stand the heat and I clearly remember the Fire Marshalls behind us talking about closing the place and they would have been justified given the horrendous conditions. But I enjoyed it, although not as much as the Fillmore show. At the Fillmore the big jams were Whipping Post, EMOER, You don't love me and of course Mountain Jam. Those 4 songs alone were over an hour. I haven't thought about this in a long time let alone wrote about it. I am going to try to contact an old friend who went with me, to see if he has any memories that i have forgot or that he remembers differently. I surely couldn't stay up till 6:30 A.M. anymore even with help. Rest assured that show was as good as people say. Just for perspective, I have seen, at the Fillmore, Santana, Clapton Dominoes w/o Duane, Johnny Winter, Traffick, the Airplane and the Dead multiple times. So when i say it was the best I have ever seen it's not in a vacuum. I have seen a lot of other shows in larger venues but i wouldn't include those because the Fillmore vibe was unique. I think I'm going to listen to the Fillmore album because this has got me wanting some ABB.

I was at the Friday June 25th 1971 show which was Albert King, J.Geils, and the Allman Brothers Band.

wasn't it the manhattan center not the academy?
i have a tape of that show and it has blue sky on it.
didn't the beach boys and mountain also show up for the fillmore shows?

Here's the 8/15/71 show information from this web site: https://www.allmanbrothersband.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Calendar&file=showCalendarMonth&tapers=&type=viewevent&year=1971&month=08&day=01&eid=1452

The 6/27/71 show included the scheduled artists The ABB, the J. Geils Band, and Albert King and special guests - Edgar Winter’s White Trash, Mountain, the Beach Boys and Country Joe McDonald.

I was at the Friday June 25th 1971 show which was Albert King, J.Geils, and the Allman Brothers Band.

So was I and I remember crap.

didn't the beach boys and mountain also show up for the fillmore shows?

Albert King, J.Geils, and the Allman Brothers Band played the first two nights.
All the added guests played on the final third (Sunday) night.

The last night at promoter Bill Graham’s famed Fillmore East concert hall in Manhattan was a star-studded invite-only affair: the Allman Brothers Band, the J. Geils Band, Albert King, Edgar Winter’s White Trash, Mountain, the Beach Boys and Country Joe McDonald, simulcast on two New York FM progressive rock stations, WNEW and WPLJ.
https://bestclassicbands.com/fillmore-east-closing-date-6-27-15/

Yeah - I have the entire closing night including the WNEW & WPLJ DJ's talking with each other. - I think it's 6CD's.....