IN HONOR OF GREGG ALLMAN
April 2, 2020
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an
outstanding artist and homegrown legend, the late great Gregg Allman.
Sadly, on Saturday, May 27, 2017, Gregg passed away peacefully at his
home in Savannah, Georgia. A private funeral was held in his hometown
of Macon, Georgia on Saturday, June 3, 2017 and he was laid to rest at
Macon's Rose Hill Cemetery beside his brother and bandmate, Duane
Allman, and bandmate, Berry Oakley.
outstanding artist and homegrown legend, the late great Gregg Allman.
Sadly, on Saturday, May 27, 2017, Gregg passed away peacefully at his
home in Savannah, Georgia. A private funeral was held in his hometown
of Macon, Georgia on Saturday, June 3, 2017 and he was laid to rest at
Macon's Rose Hill Cemetery beside his brother and bandmate, Duane
Allman, and bandmate, Berry Oakley.
Born in the ``Music City'' of Nashville, Tennessee, Gregg Allman's
connection to music runs deep. Appropriately, it was a concert in
Nashville with Jackie Wilson, Otis Redding, B.B. King, and Patti
LaBelle that jumpstarted Gregg's passion for music. Though he is best
known as a keyboardist and singer, he also performed on acoustic
guitar, which he learned to play from a neighbor. He worked as a
paperboy to buy his first Silverstone guitar, which he and his brother
often fought to play. Ultimately, it was Duane who became the paramount
guitar player of the family.
connection to music runs deep. Appropriately, it was a concert in
Nashville with Jackie Wilson, Otis Redding, B.B. King, and Patti
LaBelle that jumpstarted Gregg's passion for music. Though he is best
known as a keyboardist and singer, he also performed on acoustic
guitar, which he learned to play from a neighbor. He worked as a
paperboy to buy his first Silverstone guitar, which he and his brother
often fought to play. Ultimately, it was Duane who became the paramount
guitar player of the family.
Gregg and Duane Allman formed a series of bands in cities ranging
from Los Angeles to Jacksonville to Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Eventually,
in Daytona Beach, they formed what is considered their first ``real''
band, the Escorts, which later evolved into the Allman Joys. Then in
1969, the Allman Brothers Band officially formed and moved to Macon,
Georgia, captivating a generation of music lovers with their
distinctive sound. Songs such as ``Whipping Post,'' ``Ramblin' Man,''
and ``Midnight Rider'' helped define what is known as Southern rock and
set the stage for other musicians such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and the
Marshall Tucker Band.
from Los Angeles to Jacksonville to Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Eventually,
in Daytona Beach, they formed what is considered their first ``real''
band, the Escorts, which later evolved into the Allman Joys. Then in
1969, the Allman Brothers Band officially formed and moved to Macon,
Georgia, captivating a generation of music lovers with their
distinctive sound. Songs such as ``Whipping Post,'' ``Ramblin' Man,''
and ``Midnight Rider'' helped define what is known as Southern rock and
set the stage for other musicians such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and the
Marshall Tucker Band.
In October 1971, Gregg's brother Duane was killed in a motorcycle
accident in Macon. One year later, the band's bassist, Berry Oakley
also died in a motorcycle accident just a few blocks from where Duane
lost his life. Music was the best release the band members found, so
they continued performing and recording over the next four decades.
Throughout the years, the band dismantled and reformed several times,
allowing Gregg to produce a few solo albums and even one with his
former wife, Cher. Eventually, the Allman Brothers Band regrouped for
the final time in 1989 and continued performing until 2014.
accident in Macon. One year later, the band's bassist, Berry Oakley
also died in a motorcycle accident just a few blocks from where Duane
lost his life. Music was the best release the band members found, so
they continued performing and recording over the next four decades.
Throughout the years, the band dismantled and reformed several times,
allowing Gregg to produce a few solo albums and even one with his
former wife, Cher. Eventually, the Allman Brothers Band regrouped for
the final time in 1989 and continued performing until 2014.
As a member of the Allman Brothers Band, Gregg Allman was inducted
into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. He was also inducted into
the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2006 and received the Lifetime
Achievement Award at the 2012 Grammy Awards. Those who knew Gregg
personally spoke fondly of him, describing him as a jokester and a man
with a kind heart.
into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. He was also inducted into
the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2006 and received the Lifetime
Achievement Award at the 2012 Grammy Awards. Those who knew Gregg
personally spoke fondly of him, describing him as a jokester and a man
with a kind heart.
Gregg Allman is survived by his wife, Shannon, five children, and
three grandchildren. Not surprisingly, several of his children have
played music professionally.
three grandchildren. Not surprisingly, several of his children have
played music professionally.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the
more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District
in recognizing Gregg Allman for his remarkable accomplishments as a
pioneering and world-renowned musician. His timeless talent and
everlasting legacy live on in the hearts of those who loved him and
will continue to be remembered by generations to come.
more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District
in recognizing Gregg Allman for his remarkable accomplishments as a
pioneering and world-renowned musician. His timeless talent and
everlasting legacy live on in the hearts of those who loved him and
will continue to be remembered by generations to come.