The Allman Brothers Band hosted a benefit for ‘Tune in to Hep C,’ a campaign to raise awareness about the virus hepatitis C, at their favorited Beacon Theatre five years ago on July 27, 2011. In addition to founding member Gregg Allman, the night featured a slew of special guests, including Natalie Cole, David Crosby, Graham Nash, and Phil Lesh, who were also diagnosed with the disease.

It was an epic night in music, with talents coming together and playing the songs of many. From Dr. John, Van Morrison, and Blind Willie McTell, to Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, The Band classics – and that was just the first set, featuring the stirring vocals of Natalie Cole, and the piping solos of saxophonists Bill Evans and Ron Holloway. By second set, the seven man band welcomed David Crosby and Graham Nash for a couple of Crosby, Still, Nash, & Young covers, before the crowd went wild for a triple-Grateful Dead set closer, featuring none other than Phil Lesh himself.

Looking back, it’s interesting to see Lesh step in for bassist Oteil Burbridge on his home turf, though the ABB bassist was quick to share vocals on the Grateful Dead parts. Enjoy some fan-shot footage below, courtesy of YouTube user btragal:

Franklin’s Tower feat. Phil Lesh & Bill Evans

Shakedown Street feat. Phil Lesh

Almost Cut My Hair w/ Cosby, Nash, and Lesh

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed

Whipping Post w/ Natalie Cole [courtesy of LazyLightning55a]

The Allman Brothers @ The Beacon Theatre 7/27/11:

Set I:
Don’t Want You No More (The Spencer Davis Group cover)
It’s Not My Cross to Bear
I Walk on Guilded Splinters (Dr. John cover)
One Way Out (Elmore James cover)
Into the Mystic (Van Morrison cover)
Statesboro Blues (Blind Willie McTell cover)
Blind Willie McTell (Bob Dylan cover)
Black Hearted Woman
A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke cover) (feat. Natalie Cole and Ron Holloway)
The Weight (The Band cover) (feat. Natalie Cole and Ron Holloway)
In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (with Bill Evans)

Set II:
Teach Your Children (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cover) (feat. David Crosby and Graham Nash)
Guinnevere (Crosby, Stills & Nash cover) (feat. David Crosby and Graham Nash)
Find the Cost of Freedom (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cover) (feat. David Crosby and Graham Nash)
Cowboy Movie (David Crosby cover) (feat. David Crosby, Graham… more )
Almost Cut My Hair (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cover) (feat. David Crosby, Graham… more )
Shakedown Street (Grateful Dead cover) (with Phil Lesh)
Sugaree (Jerry Garcia cover) (with Phil Lesh)
Franklin’s Tower (Grateful Dead cover) (with Phil Lesh)
Whipping Post (with Natalie Cole)

Encore:
Midnight Rider (feat. all guests)
Will the Circle Be Unbroken? (feat. all guests)

[Setlist via setlist.fm]