Allman Brothers Band singer, keyboardist and songwriter Gregg Allman left this mortal realm on Saturday at the age of 69. His death came just a few months after the passing of Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks, who died in January. Founding guitarist Duane Allman was killed in motorcycle accident in 1971, while founding bassist Berry Oakley suffered the same fate in 1972.
The only surviving members of the Allman Brothers Band’s original lineup are now Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson and Dickey Betts, the latter of whom parted ways with the group in 2000 (14 years before the final incarnation of ABB officially called it quits 2014). It was this original lineup that played numerous shows during the early days of The Warehouse, a legendary New Orleans music venue that stood on Tchoupitoulas from 1970-1982. Those gigs showcased the six-piece Southern rock powerhouse during the creative peak that spawned the bulk of their most beloved tunes, as well as their breakthrough live album At Fillmore East.
The Allman Brothers Band’s final New Orleans concert with the original lineup—September 16, 1971 at The Warehouse—was as fiery a scorcher as any the band ever played. Fortunately for us, the nearly 2-and-a-half-hour show lives on in the form of a relatively clear recording, which includes a rare live “Blue Sky” with Duane on guitar. Of course, the recording also features some massive jams like a 22-minute “You Don’t Love Me” and a 35-minute “Mountain Jam” to close things out. You’ll want to feast your ears on this one.