Rock legend Gregg Allman has lost his battle with liver cancer at age 69.
In a statement, the death was announced via the official Allman Brothers Band Twitter account.
“It is with deep sadness we announce that Gregg Allman, a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, passed away peacefully at his home.”
It is with deep sadness we announce that Gregg Allman, a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, passed away peacefully at his home pic.twitter.com/8g0pAT3kky
— Allman Brothers Band (@allmanbrothers) May 27, 2017
Allman rose to fame with his brother Duane in the Allman Brothers Band in 1969. Duane died in a motorcycle crash in 1971 at age 24. A year later bass player Berry Oaklet was also killed in motorcycle accident in the same location as Duane.
The Allman Bothers 1971 album ‘At The Fillmore East’ is considered one of the great live albums of all-time. It was their breakthrough record. Next came another live classic ‘Eat A Peach’ in 1972. ‘Brothers and Sisters’ in 1973 swept the band into the mainstream with the hit songs ‘Ramblin’ Man’ and ‘Jessica’. It was the start of what became known as Southern Rock.
Gregg disbanded the Allman Brothers Band in 1982 but fans wouldn’t forget them. In 1990 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame prompting Gregg to put together a new line-up that would spend the next decade as one of the biggest touring acts in the USA.
Gregg’s health deteriorated in 2007 when he contracted Hepatitis C from a dirty needle. In 2008 three tumors were discovered in his liver.
In 2016, former US President Jimmy Carter awarded Gregg Allman an honorary doctorate. His most recent album ‘Southern Blood’ is due for release this year.
Gregg Allman was married five times. The most tabloid of the marriages was to Cher. He hd five children, son Devon Allman, 44, lead singer of Honeytribe, from his marriage to Shelley Kay Winters, Elijah Blue Allman, 40, lead singer of Deadsy, from his marriage to Cher, Delilah Island Allman, 35, from his marriage to Julie Bindas, Michael Sean Allman, 50, from a relationship with former waitress Mary Lynn Green, and Layla Brooklyn Allman, 23, from a relationship with radio journalist Shelby Blackburn.
Gregg Allman died at his home in Savannah, Georgia.
#GreggAllman. pic.twitter.com/SYCMF3Vlds
— Bob Seger (@BobSeger) May 27, 2017
