by Robert Wilkinson
November 20 would have been the 78th birthday of the amazing guitar slinger Duane Allman.
This afternoon and evening we celebrate the life and work of this amazing master of the guitar and founder (with his brother Gregg) of the Allman Brothers Band, one of the first integrated bands in modern rock. Duane Allman (November 20, 1946 – October 29, 1971) is generally considered one of the greatest electric slide guitarists in history, and today we have quite a few of his more amazing pieces of guitar work.
At this juncture, I’ll share that I saw them in early 1969 in Merritt Island, Florida, before they broke nationally. They were touring the SE US, getting tight on stage before the release of their first album. They were already absolute masters of their instruments, played together like fingers on a hand, and gave me one of the more exciting shows I’ve ever seen! The two drummers were perfectly in the groove. And yes, Duane’s slide work smoked it big time!
For your enjoyment, Duane “Skydog” Allman!
First, from their amazing Fillmore East concert in 1970, a live video performance featuring Duane in the blistering “Whipping Post” and “Dreams”
This was their greatest period. Here's the full 25 minute video of that September 1970 performance! The Allman Brothers Live at the Fillmore East - 1970
From the same year, a great video of the Allman Brothers live doing “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”
From the Summer of 1970, a great 43 minute video of the Allman Brothers with Duane showing off his slide skills! Allman Brothers Live at the Love Valley Pop Festival.
Also from that festival, 33 minutes which I believe picks up in the middle of the above clip and extends the jam. Allman Brothers Mountain Jam at the Love Valley Festival
If you don't listen to any other tune today, this one is an absolute must if you want to hear what REAL guitar work is about! From 1969 on the studio album “Boz Scaggs,” Boz and the Skydog backed by the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section blister on the Fenton Robinson blues standard “Somebody Lend Me A Dime.” This one is pretty astounding, with SERIOUS guitar work that cranks up about 7 minutes in and soars till the end! It's been one of my all-time favorites since it was first released and blew my young mind. Check it out!
Here’s one of their earliest concerts, and it’s probably the same tour I saw, since it’s from March 30, 1969! It’s remarkable in that the band allegedly formed on March 26, 1969, so they would have been together for 4 days when this was recorded! Here’s 88 minutes of raw electric blues by The Allman Brothers and the Second Coming Live at the Jacksonville Armory – March 1969
Last year’s 2 hour and 34 audio clip has disappeared but I found this one from the Summer of 1970 at the Atlanta Pop Festival which gives us an hour and 20! The Allman Brothers Live at the Atlanta Pop Festival 1970 – Disc 1
From that show, a great 28 minute audio clip of the Allman Brothers joined by Johnny Winter in a live performance of Donovan’s “There Is A Mountain” done in their unique style! ”Mountain Jam”
From 1970, an audio-only recording of Duane Allman and the Grateful Dead live at the Fillmore East doing “Dark Star” and “Spanish Jam”
From December 1970, one of the few times that Skydog played live with Derek and the Dominos! Here’s a solid hour and a half of audio-only live guitar magic, featuring Eric Clapton and Derek and the Dominos featuring Duane Allman – Tampa, 1970
Here’s some great music! For your enjoyment, an audio-only unreleased bootleg from 1970 of Duane Allman and Eric Clapton Studio Jams 1-6
Here’s their legendary March 1971 show! The Allman Brothers Live At the Fillmore East
I found it again! Here’s a brilliant one hour 10 minute audio-only live set at the A&R Studios from July 1971! Delaney and Bonnie with Duane and Gregg Allman and King Curtis
Here’s an audio-only 8 minute live performance from 1971 by the Allman Brothers of the leadoff tunes on their first album “Don’t Want You No More” and “It’s Not My Cross To Bear.”
Also from 1971 at Stony Brook, an audio-only live performance of the Allman Brothers doing “Blue Sky.” Here’s the entire 2 hour 18 show at Stony Brook from 1970! The Allman Brothers Live at Stony Brook 1970-
A rare treat! Seems Duane’s producer got a call from Robert Stigwood that Eric and Derek and the Dominos wanted to work with him. Duane showed up and history was made! Here’s an hour and 20 of Eric and Duane jamming all over the map, working out songs.
Duane Allman and Eric Clapton 1970 – Studio Jams 1 through 6
We'll close this show with four concerts in no particular order! First, from January 1971, an entire 1 hour 14 minute set of the Allman Brothers in San Francisco! Allman Brothers in Concert – San Francisco 1971
Next, from March 1971, a great 1 hour 25 minute audio-only concert! The Allman Brothers live in New Orleans 1971
From that same March midwest tour, I also found this 1 hr and 12 of The Allman Brothers Band Live at College of St. Catherine (Minneapolis, MN, 03-25-71)
Last year I had their hour and 25 show in Atlanta in 1971, but it’s disappeared. However, I found this part of one of their Central Park shows again. From the Summer of 1971, here’s 41 minutes of “The Allman Brothers Band - Mountain Jam” (Schaefer Music Festival, Central Park, NYC, 07-21-71)
We’ll finish this short birthday tribute with an encore featuring THE song that let the world know something huge was up! For your enjoyment, here’s Duane Allman, Eric Clapton, and “Derek and the Dominos” in the original studio version of one of the most beautiful and well known love songs on Earth. Enjoy Duane’s slide work as you take in the awesome “Layla”
Sorry you died so young at 24, Skydog. Motorcycles will do that to ya....
© Copyright 2025 Robert Wilkinson
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