Gregg Allman dies aged 69

According to a statement on the Allman Brothers Band co-founder’s website, Gregg “passed away peacefully” at his home in Savannah, Georgia.

The full statement reads:

“It is with deep sadness that we announce that Gregg Allman, a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, passed away peacefully at his home in Savannah, Georgia.

“Gregg struggled with many health issues over the past several years. During that time, Gregg considered being on the road playing music with his brothers and solo band for his beloved fans, essential medicine for his soul. Playing music lifted him up and kept him going during the toughest of times."

Gregg’s long time manager and close friend, Michael Lehman said, "I have lost a dear friend and the world has lost a brilliant pioneer in music. He was a kind and gentle soul with the best laugh I ever heard. His love for his family and bandmates was passionate as was the love he had for his extraordinary fans. Gregg was an incredible partner and an even better friend. We will all miss him."

Born on 8th December 1947 in Nashville, Tennessee, Gregg and his older brother Duane embraced their passion for music and together they fronted The Allman Joys while in their late teens.

Under their Hour Glass moniker, they released two albums in 1967 and 1968 respectively before they regrouped to form The Allman Brothers Band a year later.  

Although their first two records failed to make waves commercially at least, their July 1971 live album At Fillmore East – recorded at the world-famous New York venue – propelled them onto the world stage and today it’s rightfully regarded as one of the greatest live albums of all time.

Tragedy hit in October 1971 when Duane was killed aged just 24 in a motorcycle crash only months after the release of At Fillmore East. Echoing Duane’s death, bassist Berry Oakley also died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 24, in 1972.

After numerous line-up changes, 12 studio albums, a series of acclaimed live albums and several reformations, The Allman Brothers Band called it quits after 45 years in 2014 when Warren Haynes and Dereck Trucks announced they were leaving the band.

A truly formidable live act, The Allman Brothers Band are best known for anthems ‘Jessica’, ‘Ramblin’ Man’, ‘Midnight Rider’, ‘Whipping Post’ and ‘It's Not My Cross to Bear’.

Gregg battled with drug addiction over many years and in his 2012 memoir My Cross to Bear noted that he was too drunk to enjoy The Allman Brothers Band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.

Gregg was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 1999 and underwent a liver transplant in 2010. The cause of his death is yet to be revealed.

Gregg is survived by his wife, Shannon Allman, and his five children, Devon, Elijah Blue, Delilah Island Kurtom and Layla Brooklyn Allman. His family have asked for privacy at this difficult time.