With only 24 years of life, Duane Allman contributed a legacy beyond just co-founding the Allman Brothers Band. A true pioneer of slide guitar, and an avid session musician for many (including Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Otis Rush, Eric Clapton, and countless others), Duane was taken too soon in a motorcycle accident on October 29th, 1971.

From Muscle Shoals to Capricorn Records, the southern-rock, guitar-god brought his feels to the R&B scene on recordings like Wilson Pickett’s version of “Hey Jude”, and Boz Scaggs’ “Loan Me A Dime”, and, most-notably, lays down the illustrious final solo in Derek and The Dominos “Layla”. No one played guitar like SkyDog did.

Duane Allman – “The Weight” (The Band) (ft. Aretha Franklin)

[Video: Blues Rock]

He didn’t just inspire people musically, but on a human level too. He was a lover, a thinker, a writer. On January 1, 1969, he wrote a New Year’s resolution that we should all remind ourselves of:

“This year I will be more thoughtful of my fellow man, exert more effort in each of my endeavors, professionally as well as personally. Take love wherever I find it, and offer it to everyone who will take it. In this coming year I will seek knowledge from those wiser than me and try to teach those who wish to learn from me. I love being alive and I will be the best man I possibly can.”

While Duane passed a sad two years later, his many talents live through the artistic impressions he left for us to find. Let these words carry you through the New Year with pride and happiness!

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