Gregg Allman’s autobiography, “My Cross to Bear,” co written with Alan Light, will certainly appeal to fans of autobiographies by Keith Richards, Sammy Hagar and Steven Tyler. While it may not be the best of the newer autobiographies, it certainly is not the worst.
A person with even minor knowledge of Allman’s life would assume that the book would be filled with a parade of tragedies faced by Gregg, and they would be correct. In spite of the title, Allman does not wallow in self-pity, he simply presents a straightforward narrative which is as low key as his character is reported to be.
The key elements, the death of his brother and his subsequent nosedive into drug addiction, are all explored with just a modicum of regret. There is little lengthy commentary or analysis, instead the book has the tone of a lengthy interview, reflective but not riddled with excuses.
The challenge to the reader is whether to view Allman with sympathy or just a rock star that took advantage of all the sex and drugs that come with iconic status. If nothing else, it is an important historical document taken from the perspective of a person that helped solidify the rock star mythologies.
Allman does a great job of avoiding becoming a sad caricature of himself by filling his book with needless gossip. If he doesn’t like someone he doesn’t sugar coat it, as was the case with his treatment of Dickey Betts who Allman seemed to bear a great deal of contempt for, and yet conversely he heaped praise on current Allman Warren Haynes.
Taken as a whole, “My Cross to Bear,” is a great read. It sheds light on a musician few have gotten to know on a personal level, and fills in some gaps in classic rock history. There are many lessons to be learned for young musicians and some great insight to what was going on behind the scenes in one of music’s most enduring live performers.
