I read the book and as someone said, once you start reading it, you want to keep going. What is interesting is that the author does not put his own opinion into it. He tells you about things that happened chronologically but then has the band members, management and others who were there tell you what they remember and felt about these things. He didn't do footnotes the way most authors do.

Most the things die hard fans know about from other interviews, but you have not heard what the roadies had to say, or even band members except maybe one who a regular interviewer might have interviewed.

I did not know Duane had 3 wives. What is also good is the author did not make this a hot sex gossipy type of book. Many other authors seem intrigued and want to know what really went on during those days (which I can only think of as Allman-envy). They had beautiful women, but the book isn't about the women, it's about the music and the men who make it.

There was some disclosure about the events before, and after the FAX incident. What I remember was when that happened, everyone was just shocked and even Dickey publicly said he did not know why they were doing this to him. We tied Butch to the Whippin' Post and grilled him relentlessly demanding not only answers, but re-instatement of Dickey, totally convinced they did him wrong. Dickey had said it was about the money and nobody seemed to believe him. In this book Jon Podell is quoted as having told the band they would have to take a 25% pay cut. So there was substance to Dickey's contention that money was at least one of the reasons why he was ousted from the band.

The other reasons, interpersonal relations, band leadership, music direction are all band stuff that was not worked out prior to their last run at the Beacon. I don't care what his mouth says, but in his heart, he wants to be re-united with the brotherhood that was formed. In the book he tells that he did not want to play slide guitar. That is a revelation, he's so excellent at it, but he doesn't want to. He wants to do his thing and play off other players. I would like to see him have regional followings and be happy.

If ABB does reform with some different players, maybe as the band evolves as it must with different players, he can find his way home, back where it all begins!

[get the book, you will like it, but don't expect it to be like Gregg's book].

[Edited on 3/17/2015 by gina]

Thank you! I will respond in full later.

Thanks Gina and Ray.

i'd love to hear others' opinions on the final chapter as well.

Ray, it was too convoluted to explain where all the chatter came from. Oteil recorded with Zac Brown and did an awards show. He was talking to them about joining and checking dates and how they would line up with the Beacon. Gregg somehow made that next leap. Butch did not mean to make news.

I was also very pleased with the new photos, including 8 or 9 subsitutions I made with Kirk West shots I feell in love with seeing them in his shows over the last year, two shots taken by Derek at october rehearsals and the final portrait ever of the band, by Danny Clinch.

Alan,

Got the paperback yesterday and read the final chapter. Outstanding work! You did a really great job of reporting and wrapping it all up. Alot of the information was kind of out there in one form or the other, but the new information and interviews you had really bridged the gap and pull it all together. As always you did it in the appropriate tone with the appropriate amount of respect. To echo what I told you in New York, I am so thankful for yourself, Kirk West, Joe Bell, and so on. Guys that are as big as a fan as I am, that allow us access to the band in a way that only a true fan would understand how to do. Guys that respect the band's music and legacy. Y'all are really important because, understandably, I think the band tends to not respect it as much as the fans do (although having "fans" like Derek and Warren in the band, helps in that regard).

Anyways, thanks again. Congratulations on a great job! Hope to see you at a show sometime in the future. I'd be happy to buy you a drink.

Ryan

Thanks Ryan. Look forward to that drink.

A friend went to one of you and Butch's signings in NJ sent me a copy personalized to me. Really cool surprise. Can't wait to re-read it and get up to date on the final shows !

I think last March I burned through Please Be With Me and One Way Out so quickly, I'm going re-read both. Must be needing that March Allman fix.

Right on Tom.

I remember signing that book for you. Let me know when you read. I may re-read both books myself. I've actually got enough distance from my own book to be able to read it, almost as a reader.

I really enjoyed the first (Kindle) edition. Wish I would have known there was another chapter coming though. Great, great book which I've recommended often.