Earlier this year, founding Allman Brothers Band drummer Jaimoe returned to the stage for his first concert since January 2023. Unfortunately, that April 27th appearance with ABB tribute Friends of the Brothers was at a memorial for his late bandmate Dickey Betts who passed away earlier that month. Fortunately, that show was a catalyst for Jaimoe to return to the road for a series of concerts with Friends of the Brothers throughout the summer. Jaimoe will play one show each month through August, and as Allman Brothers fans eagerly await his next performance on July 11th at The Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA, Live For Live Music is proud to premiere footage of “Midnight Rider” from the drummer’s first show back.
Friends of the Brothers features a reputable mix of musicians from the far-reaching Allman Brothers Band family. Guitarist/singer Junior Mack began fronting the now-dormant Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band in 2006, guitarist Andy Aledort played for 12 years with Dickey Betts & Southern Star, and third guitarist Alan Paul has written two authorized biographies on the Allman Brothers including One Way Out: The Inside History of the Allman Brothers Band.
“We started this band in the shadow of Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks’ 2017 passings to honor their memories and celebrate the music of the Allman Brothers Band, which has been central to all of our lives,” Alan Paul said when announcing the April show. “We love Jaimoe as a person and as a musician and are beyond excited to have him join us for what will be a very special night honoring the music and legacy we care so much about.”
It was all hands on deck for the performance of “Midnight Rider”. Jaimoe manned his drum kit between Lee Finkelstein (Tower of Power) and Dave Diamond (Zen Tricksters, Bob Weir) as they formed a mighty six-armed percussive creature. Meanwhile, the three-part guitar harmonies of Junior Mack, Andy Aledort, and Alan Paul created a sweeping symphony of strings balanced out by Mack’s gruff and faithfully Gregg Allman-inspired vocal performance. Supplemented by Craig Privett (Half Step) on bass and Mike Katzman (Leslie Mendelson) on keys, the band delivered a cathartic tribute as images of Dickey, Gregg, and members of the Allman Brothers Band through the decades flashed on an overhead projector behind the band.
Watch Jaimoe perform “Midnight Rider” with Friends of the Brothers and check out a full list of upcoming tour dates below. Visit Friends of the Brothers’ website for tickets.
Friends Of The Brothers, Jaimoe — “Midnight Rider” — 4/27/24
[Video: Alan Paul]
Friends Of The Brothers & Jaimoe Tour Dates
-July 11, The Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA
-July 24, 80th Birthday Celebration, The Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
-August 9, The Vogel, Red Bank, NJ