When the Allman Brothers Band first joined forces and began cutting their teeth on meager means in the early ’70’s in Macon, GA, they were nearly too radical for their surroundings. Many locals did not take kindly to the idea of a group of long-haired hippies invading the town. Even more were unhappy that this group was always hanging around with their black drummer. The Allman Brothers Band was one of the first integrated bands to find success in the segregated South, and went on to transcend the South and become arguably the biggest band in the world over the course of just a few short years.
This Friday, Allman Brothers drummer Jaimoe will be recognized for his role in progressing the fight for civil rights when he receives the “Harriett Tubman Medal of Freedom” from the Tubman Museum in Macon. Read the statement from the museum below:
“The Tubman Museum and The Allman Brothers Band Museum At The Big House sponsors, patrons and fans are proud to announce that the legendary Jaimoe will be awarded the Harriett Tubman Medal of Freedom. Jaimoe is best known as one of the founding members of The Allman Brothers Band. In addition to having recorded and toured with his friends Chuck Leavell, Lamar Williams, and Sea Level. Jaimoe performed earlier with legendary soul singers, including Otis Redding, Percy Sledge, and Sam & Dave. After joining up with Duane Allman in 1969, he quickly became the first recruit into Allman’s new group, soon joined by bassist Berry Oakley, fellow drummer Butch Trucks, guitarist Dickey Betts, and lastly Allman’s younger brother Gregg Allman. Jaimoe currently performs on tour with his group, Jaimoie’s Jasssz Band.”
Founding ABB Drummer Jaimoe Remebers Gregg Allman’s Unparalleled Musical Energy
This is not the first time Jaimoe has been the recipient of a major award for his work and influence in the music world and beyond. He won a Best Rock Instrumental GRAMMY Award in 1996 for The Allmans’ An Evening with the Allman Brothers Band: 2nd Set live version of “Jessica.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and earned a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement award with the Allmans in 2012. Jaimoe also has two Historic Markers on The Mississippi Blues Trail, honoring his role in the local and international worlds of blues and R&B.
The award will be presented this Friday, November 3, 2017 at the Tubman Museum in Macon, GA. For more information, check out the Tubman Museum website.
Jaimoe is also playing a run of shows in the sound during that time. Later that evening, he will join Marshall Tucker Band‘s “Georgia Jam” along with Randall Bramblett in Macon, before reprising the Jam in the state’s capitol the following night. For more information on upcoming Jaimoe performances, head to his website.
Congratulations to Jaimoe, and thank you for all you’ve done for the world of American music.
[Cover photo via All About Jazz]
[via Allman Brothers Band Facebook]