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Gregg Allman Q&A: His New Wife, Not Liking the Grateful Dead and Dickey Betts
- Posted on Aug 1st 2012 1:45PM by Dan Weiss
Danny Clinch
I know you're getting asked about your engagement left and right, but after reading the book, it seems like the big difference with your previous marriages is that you're sober now.
That's true.
Do you think that's a big part of why you want to give marriage another try?
That's not the reason, no. She's actually like my first wife.
In the book, you're not shy about criticizing Dickey's destructiveness from the start. Did it never occur to fire him for so long because you felt responsible for so many of the band's troubles?
You're asking and answering the question at the same time. Is it because of what?
Bruce Glikas, FilmMagic
No, I'd say he was. It got more than we could take, you know?
Dickey didn't seem to fit in with your own modesty as a "frontman" and how the band passed the leadership around, even to newer members like Warren. Do you think that's the secret to the Allmans' longevity, that it was never meant to revolve around one person?
What are you talking about, "leader"? There is no leader in this. We all do our thing. I mean, as far as signing things, you know, I do that. But as far as a "leader"? The only time we're led, so to speak, it goes on in the studio and the producer does that.
And do you think because there's no actual leader is the reason you guys have lasted so long?
No, I think our passion toward music is the reason we've lasted for so long.
One of the most surprising things in the book was learning that you weren't really a Grateful Dead fan. Has their music grown on you at all over time?
Um. A little bit. Little bit.
Considering how much of your career you were using drugs, did you have trouble recalling stories for the book, or have to rely on others' accounts?
No, it didn't affect my memory. I wrote this. [pause] I had to call on this guy. I was always thinking about writing a book, I just had to get it into chronological order, you know, what happened when. And I had a friend help me with that.
Was anyone surprised by how they were portrayed in the book?
No.
Your mother is 94 years old now, right?
Yeah, and this Sunday she'll be 95.
Has she read the book?
She read it twice.
What did she think?
She loved it.
How did it feel to get all that out on the page?
Well, it was over a long period of time. I started in 1981. Actually I'd already finished it and just kind of put it away in the closet somewhere. A few years down the road, I changed managers. And I showed it to him just one day, for the hell of it. And he said let me show this around to HarperCollins. So it became that book.
Why did it feel right to put the book out this year and not much earlier?
I don't know. Not sure. I didn't know I had a book until I showed it to my manager ... I don't know why I didn't do it a lot earlier. I didn't realize I had a book. I just wrote it down like as a journal. Because I had a very, very, very nice life. And I wrote all down so when I'm in this rocking chair in the porch [laughs] I can pick it up and relive some of it.
Is there anything that you wish you wrote more about in the book?
Hmm ... no. But I might write another one.
Is it disappointing that people are focusing so much on the chapter about Cher rather than the other stuff?
I don't know, man. I really don't know. You're asking some strange questions.
Sorry. At the end of the day what record are you most proud of making?
Oooh. I'd say the next one.
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Wounded Heart
There are few things in this world that are real. Music is one thing that is real. It takes you to places in your heart that sometimes you don't want to go. It makes you remember things that you want to forget. I can remember the first time I heard Allman Brothers. The song was Please Call Home. I got to see the real Allman Brothers in Memphis TN. July 4th 1971. The real band. When they did Mountain Jam I thought I would go wild. Well I guess I did. I have loved them ever since that night and always will. Gregg you are my heart. Your Friend To The End. Give Me A Smile. Love You.
February 16 2013 at 3:54 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Moe
I don't know why people are still interested in this guy. 90% of his good stuff was before 1974. Seven turns was a good album back around 1990 but now Betts is out of the band and the ABB is surviving on fumes and old hits. And BTW this guy screws around most of his life drinking and drugging and because he's a famous millionaire he's got access to excellent healthcare and gets a brand new Liver transplant - and a new young chick for a wife. What about all the deserving poor young people who need internal organs but who don't have any healthcare? FU Allman your stuff's got no soul anymore because of this arrogance.
February 10 2013 at 11:26 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply Wounded Heart
Moe don't be a hater. Gregg is a very soulful. His music comes from his heart.
I lost my 28 year old son to a heroin OD. But music is something that can take
your pain away. I pray that you have Health, Peace, and Spiritual Growth. My the
Great Father Bless You and Yours. From My Heart. Wounded Heart.
Twinks
You know Greg, #8 is going to be your lucky number...turn it left or right and you have infinity. Your music is part of my soul and will live in my heart for ever. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself for so many years.
January 21 2013 at 10:48 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply Wounded Heart
Hey Twinks did you know that Gregg was born.Dec. 8, 1947 in Nashville TN?
Bless you heart. Stay Cool. Peace Wounded Heart
BRS70
From reading the above interview you understand what's going on in Gregg Allman's mind: all my thoughts and comments in the book are the FINAL word on the subject, and any further discussion is just beating a dead horse!!
January 11 2013 at 8:59 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
ecstaticsynergylorenz
sorry bout that exta comment, don't know how to erase here
December 27 2012 at 5:13 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
ecstaticsynergylorenz
c'mon, he is a very intelligent man. I realize this is a huge age difference and it does create difficulties but if you truly love someone like many of us love Gregory,a fantastic musician who is receptive and sensitive to his friends and fans, we want him to be happy. Happy Holidays and Love to All
December 27 2012 at 5:09 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyStupid, retarded man, Don't talk **** about Dickey, U are a loser and still a retard.
December 08 2012 at 12:30 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply Wounded Heart
Dickey always tried to take over the show. When ever I went to see ABB
Dickey would make it all about him. It's the Allman Brother's Band not
the Dickey Bett's Band. Best of luck Dickey. Wounded Heart.
Seems to have some drug "dumbness" still going on. He had a hard time understanding the simple questions he was ask! Now he's going to marry a 24 year old! LOL! I'm sure that she's not going to take advantage of him......ROFL! Men Never learn, do they! When's the Baby due? The 18+ year Paycheck!
August 21 2012 at 4:09 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyYa, for sure, tense and wierd...sounds like a "fun" guy.
August 21 2012 at 2:03 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
15 Comments