I had never heard the Allman Brothers Band when I decided to attend their concert at the University of Vermont’s Patrick Gym in late February of 1971. But I was curious about what a band led by Duane Allman might sound like because I was so taken by his performances on Derek & The Dominos’ Layla, released the previous autumn. I had no inkling whatsoever how transformative this experience would turn out to be.
UVM used to hold a week-long winter carnival around this time of year annually, during which festivities the school’s Student Activities Concert Bureau would offer a concert. This year the bill consisted of The Chambers Brothers (of “Time Has Come Today” fame) with the Allmans as the opener. My attendance, however, consisted of the first act only: so satiated as I was by the latter’s performance, it would’ve been redundant to stay, so I left the building almost as soon as the ABB departed the stage.
One of the most memorable moments of the evening actually occurred before the Brothers played a note. Apparently unrecognized by virtually anyone present—there was neither applause or whoops of joy at the sight of him–Duane Allman came out on stage alone to tune his guitar and, in the process of doing so, placed his lit cigarette in the head of his instrument; at that point, some self-righteous wag in the audience was compelled to yell “Put that thing out!” and, in response (but without looking up at all), Skydog simply raised his left hand to flip his middle finger at the do-gooder. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, thinking this guy had a personality I liked!
The Allman Brothers’ performance turned out to be far more deeply moving than that mere titillation. In fact, their set planted the seed for my eventual realization of just how fulfilling live music can be. Their sure grasp of the blues hit home. especially during gutsy vocal turns of Gregg Allman’s like “Trouble No More,” but expansive instrumental passages struck a chord as well; unlike finding my mind wandering as so happened listening to Live/Dead or any one of the extended Cream concert recordings of the time, the dense, focused musicianship of this sextet held my attention without interruption, except for that momentary flash of recognition, round about mid-set, at how much I was enjoying what I was hearing.
In retrospect, it was no doubt the drive of the ABB rhythm section, consisting of bassist Berry Oakley and dual drummers Jaimoe and Butch Trucks, that supplied a focal point for me to follow as I listened and watched things like “Whipping Post.” But the guitar playing throughout was extraordinary to my ears and eyes as well; even though I was early in my days of learning to appreciate improvisational music, I could easily tell Allman and his fretboard partner Dickey Betts were equally brilliant guitarists, but also complementary ones: those harmony lines they played on “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’” sound like nothing so much as a further (and wholly logical) extension of their simpatico approach.
The ABB setlist was their standard repertoire for the times, not all that dissimilar from that choice of vintage material recorded at Bill Graham’s Fillmore East on those epochal nights just about three weeks later. Still, given the somewhat muted response the Allmans elicited while on stage, due no doubt to lack of between-song repartee and the total absence of any overt bow to showmanship, it’s little wonder I found myself in arguments later that evening back at the dorm, defending the group against accusations they were merely showing off: apparently, only a few in attendance on the basketball court floor or in the bleachers of Patrick were as enraptured as I by the Brothers.
Even so, I did not run right out and purchase the unit’s studio albums. But I did snap up At Fillmore East upon its release the following summer and the double album confirmed my impression(s) of the musical moments in the gym. That, in turn, validated my decision to walk across campus in the middle of winter, a serendipitous move that has ultimately resulted in my listening to and seeing the Allman Brothers Band more often than any other artist I have ever followed.
16 Responses
You perfectly capture the ABB thing in your short post. Their music from that era still thrills today and I find myself *repeatedly* listening to the Fillmore, EAP albums, along with some more recently acquired shows, all from that glorious by-gone time. Thanks!…and goodness, playing in a gym, how crazy!
I was the Road manager for ABB in late 70’s and early 80’s, best band I ever worked for loved there music.
I was so captivated by Fillmore East that I was hooked for life on their music and continue to say today that ABB is the greatest American band ever. I was lucky enough to see one form or the other live 18 times over a 40 year period and attended one of Gregg’s last performances in my area in 2015. Did not know then it would be my last, but am so grateful that I did go. Seldom a week goes by that I don’t pop in one of the dozens of CDs of theirs I own. I thank my Mom for turning me on to the Blues.
We baby boomers are the luckiest people the world has ever known, not the least because of the incredible music we grew up listening to.
If you want to hear two really brilliant guitars of the time, listen to George Benson and Pat Martino. Benson in particular can play and sing circles around any rock star, and he is still alive. Martino is as unique as Benson but does not sing.
Thank you,Doug,I’d been playin’ guitar about a year & a half,’70 to the middle of ’71,the forst time I heard Duane Allman on slide guitar,and it immediately turned me on my EAR!!!I’ve since dedicated to all slide;I even build ’em,both “Hawaiin” style lap-steels & Strat/Tele copies.I’m even learnin’ pedal steel,but there’s nothing like open-tuned standard guitars for slide. Stay cool,my friend!!!
I bought their first album at 16 years old and I have been hooked ever since. Standard music daily at the gym. On my iPhone of course.
Mayday celebration 5/15/71, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs
ABB free and its been on ever since. A true blessing for American R&R❗
Doug
Thanks for sharing your 1st experience seeing ABB. You hit the note perfectly. I wonder if any of the many former band members will get together at some point and record something? I hope so.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
Ebbs
The Allman Brothers Band what’s the best band ever no doubt about it nobody is ever come close to what this band did
I was at the show the next night, February 20, 1971, at Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, NH. Literally walked the last two miles to the show through a raging blizzard. Paul Butterfield was the headliner, Elvin Bishop with the Pointer Sisters singing backup was the opener, and the Allman Brothers were in between.
Needless to say, a truly memorable show. EB tore the house down, the Allman Brothers set it on fire, and then Butterfield himself came out to tell us that his band was stuck in the blizzard and couldn’t get there – he asked “Would it be all right if I bring out Elvin Bishop, those girls who call themselves the Pointer Sisters and the Allman Brothers to help me out? Cuz none of us are going anywhere in this blizzard.”
The place went nuts, and out they all came and jammed until about 3 in the morning. That was the ’70s. That was rock n’roll. That was the Allman Brothers Band. To this day, maybe the greatest show I ever attended, and I’ve loved the Brothers ever since. RIP Duane, Berry, Butch and Gregg – thank you so much.
I was at the Franklin Pierce show, too. The jam at the end was amazing and a never to be repeated set. Saw Janis Joplin there, too. Paul Butterfield was a part of the line up for that concert. Also, Jonathan Edwards. Franklin Pierce had so many good concerts in that period.
Thank you!
I am from New Hampshire and an OG Allman Brothers Band geek… as much as I can be having been born over a decade after Duane’s & Berry’s departures.
I have never met anyone who attended that show. It’s a breath of fresh air to read your review and know that it was a killer show with such amazing talent! It’s a regional pride thing. Duane & Berry played a shot in New Hampshire! Awesome! I bet it was a small venue too!
I would love to see a set list for each band but especially Butterfield with the other bands. I grew up listening to the ABB and ventured into their live stuff and other material on my own, like the so-called Jacksonville Jams (love them!).
But I only recently heard Butterfield’s East-West (song) and Work Song, which include Elvin Bishop. Sorry to say but my first impression, after learning that those songs were recorded in 66′, was that the ABB were not the pioneers I understood them to be. Though they were amazing.
I’ll bet all those people had incredible respect for one another and so put on a great show. Lucky guy you are indeed!
I was at that show, too. What a ride! Don’t know about you, but it was a very ‘electric’ experience for many there. Franklin Pierce could be a bit of a rubber room experiment, back then. As I remember that gym was maybe 1/4 full. Plenty of space to roam around, even talk to band members. Like near zero security. The EB Band w/ Gloria Jones and the Pointer Sisters, joining the Allmans for a long jam to make up for the top bill not showing, was probably the best live music I have ever witnessed. Probably the best night for Paul Butterfield being a no-show!
Great to find these comments on the F Pierce show. I was up visiting my friend Billy O’Brian a student there. And we joined the show. The experience I remember clearly was the peaks and valleys of the Allman Brothers. There were NO valleys!! All PEAKS. They would bring you up and keep you there.
Yes Elvin and Duane jamming at the end of the show which went on for what seemed for ever.
Thanks for the chance to relive the thoughts and memories.
A great venue, the best.
I went to this concert and began a 50 year a 50 year love affair with the ABB. Got married the next summer and bought a farm south of Burlington. First thing we did was change the legal mailing address to “The Duane Allman Memorial Farm, Charlotte, Vermont”. It was the least we could do….