By 1976 The Allman Brothers Band went from being the number one band in America to breaking up in just three short years with Gregg and Dickey solo tours and Gregg avoiding the band for time with Cher likely contributing. 

Also beginning in the mid 1970's it seemed the fans were not into bands such as Uriah Heep, Yes, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Judist Priest. It was Marshall Tucker, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, The Outlaws, Z. Z. Top etc. I remember a couple of biker types telling me in the late 70's they wouldn't see Van Halen because of those *$&# sissy suites they wear. 

I think most of these fans evolved into fans of the outlaw country music movement. David Allen Coe, Hank Williams, Jr., Charlie Daniels, Billy Joe Shaver etc. 

When the Allman's reformed in late 1978, I think they were probably trying to be part of the southern band thing. But when they reformed the second time in 1989, they avoided that and tried to transition back to the original Allman Brothers when nobody had heard of so called southern rock or outlaw country.