Today, November 20th, 2024, would have been the 78th birthday of late guitarist Duane Allman. In only 24 years of life, Duane Allman amassed 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 53 years ago last month.
From Muscle Shoals to Capricorn Records, the guitar hero brought his Southern rock roots to the R&B scene on recordings like Wilson Pickett’s version of ‘Hey Jude’, 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.
“He has had probably the greatest impact on my life of anyone I have ever known,” former ABB bandmate Butch Trucks told Live For Live Music in a 2015 interview. “Have you heard the story about the day he reached into me and turned me on? If it wasn’t for that moment of epiphany I would have spent my life teaching math in some high school. That’s ok, but I’ll take the life I’ve had any day. Duane was the type of person who, once you met him, changed you for the better. I’ve never met anyone so powerful and positive. I still, after 45 years, have dreams that I run into him somewhere. There is a piece of me that will never let him go.”
Related: Duane Allman’s 1957 Gibson Les Paul Played On “Layla” Sells For $1.25 Million At Auction
In memory of Duane Allman, hear some of these great stories on how he affected the lives of many…
Jaimoe, Tommy Talton, & Scott Boyer Wish Duane Allman A Happy Birthday
[Video: The Big House Museum]
Dickey Betts on Duane Allman
[Video: Devon Strolovitch]
Muscle Shoals Session Drummers Roger Hawkins & David Hood Describe Duane Allman’s Early Days
[Video: LuckieVideos]
Butch Trucks Reflects On Duane Allman’s Lifelong Influence
[Video: Music Masters Collective]
Rest in Peace, Duane (and Butch).
[Originally published 11/20/16]