Gregg Allman's Death Motivated Son to Keep Allman Brothers Music Alive

Gregg Allman's Son Wants More Artists Carrying on Family Legacy

Gregg Allman's son Devon Allman says his father's death last year made him realize that it was his responsibility to keep alive the memory of his father and the music of his family.

The younger Allman has been touring with Duane Betts, the son of longtime Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts, performing a setlist that incorporates the music of their fathers into a selection of songs from their own careers. 

Devon argues that "bloodlines" bands are a more legitimate way of keeping music alive than run-of-the-mill tribute acts. He says more children of legendary musicians should play the music of their parents to keep it alive. 

"There's tribute bands out the ass," he told Rolling Stone in a new interview. "It's a big, money-making deal. But wouldn't you rather see a Bonham beat the s**t out of the drums? And wouldn't you rather hear an Allman and a Betts do 'Blue Sky' and 'Midnight Rider' instead of a tribute band? Hell yes, you would!"

But getting back onstage after his father's death due to complications from liver cancer last May wasn't easy. In fact, Devon refused to perform for months afterwards.

He recalled canceling all of this upcoming gigs while he and the rest of the world mourned the death of one of southern rock's greatest voices. 

After a few months, Devon returned to the stage to perform a rendition of the Allman Brothers' "One Way Out" in tribute to his dad. Soon thereafter, Devon took it as his obligation to begin playing Allman Brothers music during his live shows.

Devon has made a career for himself outside of his father's shadow, but now that his father has passed on, he says incorporating his father's music into his sets is a matter of respect and ensuring the continued integrity of the music.

"As time marches on, it does become important for the next generation to carry the music on or else it's just gonna die," he said. "Nobody is gonna play that anymore, and if they do, it's gonna be a sloppy tribute band. I think the people deserve more than that. I think the people deserve to hear it from the bloodlines of the musicians that turned them on in the first place."

Still, he tells Rolling Stone that he and Duane Betts won't revive the Allman Brothers Band, as a touring entity.

"It's really about maintaining that balance," he says. "You're not gonna see me come out and do three hours of Allman Brothers' songs because me and Duane aren't the Allman Brothers. But we'll do a little bit and that means a lot to us."

Get the Devon Allman Project tour dates here


Photo: Getty Images


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