I went to the late show after eating Thanksgiving dinner. I had seen the ABB many times throughout 1971. It was really strange with Duane not there. The band played their usual set. There was this incredible absence physically and musically. I played Duane’s parts in my head and heart. Dickey Betts had short hair, which looked very strange. He had a cowboy shirt on. One of the Allmans said that Duane had really been looking forward to playing Carnegie Hall. A guitarist played on “Stormy Monday.” I later found out it was J. Geils. Before the concert I thought that there would be a lot of guests playing with the band who Duane had played with. Now 31 years later, I think the best tribute was the band playing and Duane’s parts just silent. It was sad.
