The second half of that Butch interview is pretty great (the first half is more of the same ol'). Pretty revealing that even Butch states that it was time for the Allman Brothers to break up when they did, that it was stale. I do agree, dropping "Dazed & Confuzed" into the middle of "Mountain Jam" was always kind of annoying, even if they did tease it on the Ludlow Garage version briefly.

Well Butch's interview did shine light on the creative differences developing in the last lineup.

And he confirmed Gregg continued not to be that interested in being in a jam band and likes it better when he is in his own band with just one chief in the kitchen and a structure that is more suited to a singer. And that Gregg, which we were hearing rumors about during the Duane years, didn't like the way the ABB changed his songs. And by the time they got to the Fillmore album, the guitar solos and jamming inside his songs such as Dreams and Whipping Post got so long that the second verse of the song was very long removed from the first verse.

After Duane died and especially when the band turned down "Queen of Hearts" for inclusion on Brothers and Sisters, that was when Gregg transitioned to a focus on a solo career.

I use to get the impression from some of the Gregg interviews in the early years after his brother died that if it were not his brothers band and had become so successful (were the money was) that he would leave the band.

Some of the creative differences he had with Dickey continued with Butch? Why has there got to be two guitar solos? Why so much jamming? Why do we have to have such long guitar solos?

I remember the Win, Loose and Draw tour and noticing at the three shows I saw Gregg becoming jaded and seemingly uninterested during stretches of the show when Dickey would sing Blue Sky then i they played Jessica, then Dickey sang Sweet Mama off the new album and they went into something like High Falls. You would have a LONG stretch with the focus on Dickey and Chuck and Gregg is relegated to just playing along on the organ.

Even in the original band, if Berry sang Hoochie Coochie Man then they played Hot Lanta and Liz Reed, the spot lights were on Duane, Dickey and Berry Oakley a lot more than Gregg except Gregg's solo on Liz Reed.

Hats off to Gregg for putting up with that out of respect to his brother's band. I doubt Mick Jagger would be in a band where he had long stretches of just being on the side playing rhythm guitar while the soloists got the spot light and the other singer would sing two songs before Mick got to sing again.

I saw the ABB with Jack Peason in 1997 and Gregg was in the spot light with Statesboro Blues, Ain't Waisting Time No More and Trouble No More. Then it shifted as Dickey sang Blue Sky with Jack and Dickey taking LONG solos. Then they did Jessica. Next was Jack singing "Dimples" followed by Dickey with "Change My Way of Living". I remembered wondering if that was something the so called front man was irritated about and just put up with because to interfere would mean getting into a fuss with Dickey. It was a long way down the track before Gregg sang or played a solo.

On the other side of the coin Jack, Dickey, Otiel, Butch, Marc and Jaimoe was on their A game at all the 1997 shows I saw so as far as the Allman Brothers BAND was concerned, the band was cooking and relieved any fears I had that the departure of Warren Haynes and Allen Woody would hurt the band. It was the opposite. The band seemed to have a renewed focus and energy that I thought has slipped after 1994. And Alan Paul's books shows that during the mid 90's there were real problems inside the band that seem to often be problems with Dickey and his demons and also with Gregg not being able to function due to his drinking and drugs. The Beacon show in the book where Gregg is so stewed back at the hotel that it looked as if he would not make the show and some thought the band would not survive to the next day if Gregg didn't make it.

There can't be an Allman Brothers Band without Gregg. I use to think so if Dickey was not in it but they proved that wrong after 2000. But absolutely not without Gregg. Gregg is the cornerstone of the band. And with that said, it is odd that he can end up often as just a side man when they play instrumentals and do long jams and when someone else sings and if they put two or three songs together that didn't feature Gregg singing, it is true that one can go 20 to 30 minutes at an ABB show and Gregg is not among those having the spotlight shined on them. Butch and Jaimoe were used to it but it had to have some negative effect on the presumed lead singer of the band wouldn't it?

I bet Gregg is like Derek. Done with the ABB. But unlike Derek, in a year or two or three, I probably would be open to a reunion tour. He did it in 1978, 1986, 1989 (folded his Gregg Allman Band then and disappointed the Toler Brothers) so I can't imagine Gregg not eventually doing it again. But this time, not actually putting the band back together. Just a little 50th tour.

The second half of that Butch interview is pretty great (the first half is more of the same ol'). Pretty revealing that even Butch states that it was time for the Allman Brothers to break up when they did, that it was stale. I do agree, dropping "Dazed & Confuzed" into the middle of "Mountain Jam" was always kind of annoying, even if they did tease it on the Ludlow Garage version briefly.

I liked the part where he talked about how Gregg didn't like the jams and Butch said because we are THE ALLMAN BROTHERS. That made me laugh.

Duane was the star & leader of the band. Eventually, the two songwriters and vocalists would have tired of it, notwithstanding one being the brother.

Assuming Duane would have physically taken care of himself, I think he would have had many more options than the other 5 outside of the ABB. I also think he was more musically adventuresome and had the ego and drive to try many different things.

I also think he would have tired of the internal BS that was coming with the big success down the road the band experienced.

Just speculating ........

.....the so called front man ..... Gregg is the cornerstone of the band. And with that said, it is odd that he can end up often as just a side man when they play instrumentals and do long jams and when someone else sings and if they put two or three songs together that didn't feature Gregg singing, it is true that one can go 20 to 30 minutes at an ABB show and Gregg is not among those having the spotlight shined on them. Butch and Jaimoe were used to it but it had to have some negative effect on the presumed lead singer of the band wouldn't it?

Interesting that you see it that way. I've never considered Gregg to be "the front man" of the ABB.

And, rather than being irritated at being marginalised, I thought Gregg was quite happy to do as little as possible in the latter-day Beacon shows I saw.

The title of this thread is misleading. There is a massive difference between reforming the band and reuniting for an anniversary or other special event. I've been to a few high school reunions and they were great fun for a night; but we didn't all decide to go back to high school again. It's a one-off thing. If the Bros. end up putting together a 50th Anniversary show I could certainly see it involving everyone from the last lineup. Derek's been clear on not going back to high school, but as for a reunion...?? We'll see.

Fan of the Allman brothers Band beginning in 1970 because of eric clapton
rolling stone reviewed layla and idlewild south and were very positive about
duane's contribution to layla.about writing cridits on the first allman brothers band album
the credits are givin to allman not duane or gregg.

duane's contribution to layla.about writing cridits on the first allman brothers band album
the credits are givin to allman not duane or gregg.

The CD version I have state Gregg Allman.

.....the so called front man ..... Gregg is the cornerstone of the band. And with that said, it is odd that he can end up often as just a side man when they play instrumentals and do long jams and when someone else sings and if they put two or three songs together that didn't feature Gregg singing, it is true that one can go 20 to 30 minutes at an ABB show and Gregg is not among those having the spotlight shined on them. Butch and Jaimoe were used to it but it had to have some negative effect on the presumed lead singer of the band wouldn't it?

Interesting that you see it that way. I've never considered Gregg to be "the front man" of the ABB.

And, rather than being irritated at being marginalised, I thought Gregg was quite happy to do as little as possible in the latter-day Beacon shows I saw.

We have a winner. Excellent read and very accurate. Gregg doesn't want to lead a thing nor actually work hard in any way.

Gregg as a cornerstone? No - he just has the right last name which is why he is needed for an ABB to exist.

Duane then Dickey followed by Warren. That was the foundation, guidance and leadership.

I have said it since the early 2000s that Gregg was bored and not really there especially during Derek's solos. People blamed health on cues and lyrics being missed but he was just daydreaming. As time progressed it got more and more obvious and then the plexiglass was added to further pull back from the guitars.

Not sure why everyone didn't see it. After the band rejected the T-Bone method of an album, it was done.

As for the credits on the first album. they are Gregg and it is listed as such.

The Original Atco Copy

Not sure why everyone didn't see it. After the band rejected the T-Bone method of an album, it was done.

I doubt the idea went beyond Gregg saying it in an interview. The option likely wasn't even suggested to the band for them to reject.

Fan of the Allman brothers Band beginning in 1970 because of eric clapton
rolling stone reviewed layla and idlewild south and were very positive about
duane's contribution to layla.about writing cridits on the first allman brothers band album
the credits are givin to allman not duane or gregg.

Now that is an interesting tidbit I never noticed. The inner jacket and also the disc center list the song credits, as you said, to "By Allman" and "Allman" respectively.

Not sure why everyone didn't see it. After the band rejected the T-Bone method of an album, it was done.

I doubt the idea went beyond Gregg saying it in an interview. The option likely wasn't even suggested to the band for them to reject.

It definitely was and rejected.

Not sure why everyone didn't see it. After the band rejected the T-Bone method of an album, it was done.

I doubt the idea went beyond Gregg saying it in an interview. The option likely wasn't even suggested to the band for them to reject.

It definitely was and rejected.

Source? What exactly is the T-Bone method for an album?

T-Bone usually arranges the songs and selects the back up band. For many artists he chooses the songs to cover and does those arrangements as well. I think it is more rare when he does produce bands, but usually he supplies his own band for solo artists.

I had never heard of anyone of the band turning down T-Bone as a producer for an ABB band album.

As far as songwriting credits on the first album where it says "Allman" we all know it means "Gregg Allman".

Not sure why everyone didn't see it. After the band rejected the T-Bone method of an album, it was done.

I doubt the idea went beyond Gregg saying it in an interview. The option likely wasn't even suggested to the band for them to reject.

It definitely was and rejected.

Source? What exactly is the T-Bone method for an album?

Derek and Warren both told me. It is not like it was some secret. Gregg was very open about wanting to do it. Mentioned it in a number of interviews so not sure why anyone would think he didn't bring it up with the band.

Gregg saw it as the easy way for the ABB to record as T-Bone Burnett is a very hands on producer. He finds the songs, musicians, arrangements and puts it all together so a lot of pressure is taken off the artist to write and arrange the music. Suits Gregg and many artists just fine and often leads to great results. Not really what Warren and Derek are about though. They knew that an album like that would not represent what the current ABB were.

Gregg has been handling the writing songs question for a long time which is amazing as his song writing on his own since the 70s in virtually non-existent and even with others such as Warren is minimal at best. Why people think this guy will all of the sudden write songs is beyond me?

Gregg was very open about wanting to do it. Mentioned it in a number of interviews so not sure why anyone would think he didn't bring it up with the band.

Gregg mentions a ton of stuff in interviews that never get acted on. That's probably why people wouldn't think he'd bring it up with the band.

Gregg has been handling the writing songs question for a long time which is amazing as his song writing on his own since the 70s in virtually non-existent and even with others such as Warren is minimal at best. Why people think this guy will all of the sudden write songs is beyond me?

Very true.

Not sure why everyone didn't see it. After the band rejected the T-Bone method of an album, it was done.

I doubt the idea went beyond Gregg saying it in an interview. The option likely wasn't even suggested to the band for them to reject.

It definitely was and rejected.

Source? What exactly is the T-Bone method for an album?

Derek and Warren both told me. It is not like it was some secret. Gregg was very open about wanting to do it. Mentioned it in a number of interviews so not sure why anyone would think he didn't bring it up with the band.

Gregg saw it as the easy way for the ABB to record as T-Bone Burnett is a very hands on producer. He finds the songs, musicians, arrangements and puts it all together so a lot of pressure is taken off the artist to write and arrange the music. Suits Gregg and many artists just fine and often leads to great results. Not really what Warren and Derek are about though. They knew that an album like that would not represent what the current ABB were.

Gregg has been handling the writing songs question for a long time which is amazing as his song writing on his own since the 70s in virtually non-existent and even with others such as Warren is minimal at best. Why people think this guy will all of the sudden write songs is beyond me?

OK I don't always read every single interview with Gregg, Warren, Derek, etc. A lot of what gets said in interviews by Gregg turns out to be false, and it never gets acted on or never happens.

I'm not sure why people assume Gregg does lots of songwriting or that he constantly writes new songs either?

I can see why the rest of the band besides Gregg wanted to avoid the T-bone method for producing an album. Thanks for explaining what that meant.

I am maybe in the minority but I wish they had done it. Warren and Derek could save their material for their bands and maybe T-Bone would pick out some great tunes and the current ABB might have gotten more attention.

Better some album than none for my tastes.

We have a winner. Excellent read and very accurate. Gregg doesn't want to lead a thing nor actually work hard in any way.

Gregg as a cornerstone? No - he just has the right last name which is why he is needed for an ABB to exist.

"Leader? Me? Of the Grateful Dead? Pfft, please. I couldn't lead these guys anywhere. They ain't gonna listen to me." -Jerry Garcia

😛

I am maybe in the minority but I wish they had done it. Warren and Derek could save their material for their bands and maybe T-Bone would pick out some great tunes and the current ABB might have gotten more attention.

Better some album than none for my tastes.

Oh, just play Hittin' The Note again and be quiet.

I am maybe in the minority but I wish they had done it. Warren and Derek could save their material for their bands and maybe T-Bone would pick out some great tunes and the current ABB might have gotten more attention.

Better some album than none for my tastes.

Oh, just play Hittin' The Note again and be quiet.

Even when I play it out of order, it still sounds the same. It does make me think when I listen and look at the cover whether that kids knows about the elephants.

The T-Bone album could have been called We Are Working on Some Songs.

Gregg has been handling the writing songs question for a long time which is amazing as his song writing on his own since the 70s in virtually non-existent and even with others such as Warren is minimal at best. Why people think this guy will all of the sudden write songs is beyond me?

I'm not being critical of Gregg as I'm no songwriter - my only criticism would be of his apparent denial that the muse had deserted him - but I feel for Warren making all those trips down to Savannah, ostensibly for songwriting sessions which yielded such paltry results.

It may be a good subject for a fictional two-hander play some day....

[Edited on 5/20/2016 by Shavian]

I still haven't heard anything to suggest there will ever be an Allmans reunion for Derek to turn down in the first place.

I agree with the general thought that they went out on a fairly high note in 2014 and would be very unlikely to ever play at that level again, if only do to the advanced age of Butch and Gregg. Any future version of the ABB would be lesser than what we expect from a band bearing that name. If there was a true reconciliation with Dickey, that would be worth doing if only because it would make the fans happy, but I wouldn't have high expectations for the music.

If anything, they missed one of the all-time great opportunities to Go Out On Top after the 40th Anniversary. That would have been a great time to drop the mic and retire as the Undefeated Heavyweight Champions of Rock.

They still played a lot of good shows and made a lot of people very happy after that, but it was downhill from there.

When I saw Gregg was the cornerstone of the band, I said that only because his name is Allman. Something that Duane wanted to avoid and Dickey regretted they did. But Phil Walden wanted Duane's name involved from the beginning when he was expecting Duane to put together a trio.

Yes Gregg has been bored with the ABB for decades for the most part. He gets interested in the band from time to time but usually gets tired of the long jams and instrumentals. Gregg likes the solo thing the best. Gregg likes a show where he is the show much like Eric Clapton today or Billy Joel. The way Don Henley is working right now with the Eagles over. One chef in the kitchen.

Warren Haynes just did an interview in Germany and said he would have the door open to the ABB doing a few shows but he didn't see the point of the ABB doing some shows again unless Dickey Betts was going to be part of it.

I would have to agree with Warren. The only really good reason for an ABB reunion is if Dickey is involved.

As I said in my previous post, I wouldn't expect a lot musically from a reunion with Dickey, but it would still be worth doing.

To be clear on exactly what Warren said in the referenced interview.

http://www.nationalrockreview.com/interviews/warren-haynes

: Having a 25 year career with The Allman Brothers Band it must have been emotional leaving the stage with the band for the last time at The Beacon Theatre. What are your feelings about the band now?
Haynes: Well that was a very emotional night. It was more complicated by the fact that the band really performed great that night. It was the best show that we had played in quite some time and even at rehearsal we knew we had six shows left to go and we knew that for the final show we wanted to do three sets, which the band had never done. It was going to be a long, exhausting night but everyone was positive about it, everyone was inspired and the show was great. At the end of the night, we were just emotionally drained but in a very positive way.
I think we went out on the right note, you know and that was very important to myself and to Derek Trucks because we wanted the final tour to be more than it was. We wanted the tour to be many more cities than it wounded up being. So when it turned out to be just a hand full of shows we were a little disappointed but we were really glad that if we were gonna end up in New York City let’s go out with a bang you know.
NRR: Obviously over the years there has been several Allman Brothers reunions. Do you think that the door is now completely closed on that band or do you think that at some point in the future something might happen in some shape or form?
Haynes: Well I don’t think the door is closed. You know as a fan, which I remain, I would love to see them play with Dickey Betts again. I don’t know if that’s possible, but I think that the obvious best reason for the band to play together would be that. But at the moment, there are no plans for anything to happen, but I don’t think anyone is really closing the door.

Dickey closed that door and locked it years ago.

I would have to agree with Warren. The only really good reason for an ABB reunion is if Dickey is involved.

As I said in my previous post, I wouldn't expect a lot musically from a reunion with Dickey, but it would still be worth doing.

I agree with Rob. As great a line-up as Jack and Chuck (for instance) might be - going out and playing the "standards" night after night would still amount to a further "watering down" of the band and its legacy. I continue to applaud Derek for his decision to move on to new things. I don't understand why so many feel the need to continue to live in the past.

I would have to agree with Warren. The only really good reason for an ABB reunion is if Dickey is involved.

As I said in my previous post, I wouldn't expect a lot musically from a reunion with Dickey, but it would still be worth doing.

I agree with Rob. As great a line-up as Jack and Chuck (for instance) might be - going out and playing the "standards" night after night would still amount to a further "watering down" of the band and its legacy. I continue to applaud Derek for his decision to move on to new things. I don't understand why so many feel the need to continue to live in the past.

If you experienced the Mule NYE "Watkins Glen" show with Chuck and Jack, you would not be so quick to dismiss a tour as a watering down of the legacy of the ABB. It was a night of absolutely magicall music. Much like the current version of the ABB was vastly different from the original band or the five man band, that version could do ABB tunes or anything else and offer fans great entertainment.