Gregg Allman has had his share of triumphs and tribulations. Some of his tribulations were: losing his brother Duane (whom he started the Allman Brothers with) over 40 years ago, having 6 failed marriages and also dealing with health related issues which included a liver transplant. These haven’t deterred him as he is a survivor in more ways than one. Along the way Gregg has enjoyed many accolades including being nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, earning a lifetime achievement award by the Grammy Foundation, and fronting one of the most successful rock bands in Rock and Roll history. To say Gregg has seen and done it all can be an understatement.
In May of 2012 , Gregg’s autobiography “My Cross to Bear” was released on Harper Collins to rave reviews. Gregg talks to us about the book and how it all came together. We also talk about his upcoming tour with Santana, the feedback he has been getting about the book, the possibility of the Allman’s creating new music and what input he had on the Allman Brothers Museum in Macon, Georgia.
Enjoy this candid interview with one of rocks good ole boys; Gregg Allman!
Gus: Gregg, how are you doing today?
Gregg: I’m alright!
Gus: Well, we appreciate you talking to us at BackstageAxxess.com. We are here to talk about your first autobiography “My Cross to Bear” that was published by William Morrow/Harper Collins publishers. How long did it take for the whole process to come together?
Gregg: Oh, I started writing in 1981 but it was a journal. It wasn’t supposed to be a book. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that it is, I just never planned on it. Anyway, around 981. I just realized I had such a great life and I should start writing some of this stuff down. So when I’m an old, old codger sitting on the front porch in my rocking chair, I can thumb through a few pages and can kind of relive it again.
Gus: Gathering information about the book, what was the most difficult to revisit and why?
Gregg: The drugs.
Gus: You talk about bad times in your life like the untimely passing of your brother, your failed marriages, the drugs of course, and of other things. That’s why I wanted to ask that question.
Gregg: If you didn’t have the hard times, you wouldn’t know how to tell the good ones (laughs)!
Gus: When many people put together their autobiographies, there are things that are left out. I don’t know if there is anything you can give us here that was taken out before the book went to print?
Gregg: (Laughs…….) a whole lot man!
Gus: So, do you want to give us a little story perhaps?
Gregg: (Laughs some more) No! If I did I would have left it in the book!
Gus: You talk about failed marriages and relationships with ex band members. Have any of them reached out to you negatively or favorably about the book?
Gregg: Only favorably.
Gus: Anyone in particular?
Gregg: One of the ex- wives called me and told me it was a good job!
Gus: You had a few of those. Anyone in particular?
Gregg: (Laughs) The famous one (editor’s note: He was referring to Cher).
Gus: Earlier this year, the Allman Brothers band received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award? What does mean to you personally?
Gregg: I was up for two that night. Derek Trucks got the Best Blues record one.
Gus: The Lifetime Achievement is much more meaningful than just your standard Grammy that they hand out every year.
Gregg: Those people have seen so many artists come down the pike, right? I think I’ve seen only one other artist get a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Gus: We want to congratulate you and the band for receiving it and I’m sure everyone else was happy to receive it as well.
Gregg: They are!
Gus: You mentioned your solo record “Low County Blues” being nominated for a Grammy. It’s been eight years since the release of original Allman Brothers music. “One Way Out” was released in 2004. Will there be new music from The Allman Brothers?
Gregg: Yeah, yeah there is. It just hasn’t been set yet.
Gus: Are we looking for the end of 2012 or you talking about next year?
Gregg: Oh, I’m not sure to tell you the truth. We’ve individually got all of these bands, I got a band, Jaimoe’s got a band, Derek’s got a band, Warren’s got a band. We got to get around everyone’s schedules. We have to premeditate that one a long way ahead, probably be in 2014.
Gus: You just came out “Low Country Blues” last year. Are you currently working on new solo material?
Gregg: Oh yeah!
Gus: Will we be seeing new music from you as a solo artist before the Allman Brothers?
Gregg: I’m not sure who will go in first? I like to get this same producer with the Brother; T-Bone Burnett who produced “Low Country Blues.” I said it from the time we were half way done with that record that the brothers got to dig this!
Gus: Hopefully, that will result in getting the Brothers to make new music.
Gregg: Exactly!
Gus: Your old house that the Allman Brothers first lived in when starting out officially opened up as a museum in Macon, Georgia. How much input did you have in the renovations, or now, the day-to-day operations of it?
Gregg: Yeah, somewhat. I raised a bunch of money for it. They wanted to know whose room was whose and I helped with all of that stuff. The Brothers were mainly involved only getting the money raised for it.
Gus: So you are not involved in the day-to-day operations of it?
Gregg: No. I live in Savannah and that’s way up in Macon.
Gus: You are going out on tour soon with Santana. The second (2nd) show is in Buffalo, NY, where I’m from. I’m sure you have been itching to get back out on the road?
Gregg: Oh yeah. I really have!
Gus: How have the rehearsals been going?
Gregg: Well, they haven’t started yet. I’ve personally been working with my trainer and riding my motorcycle.
Gus: How did the pairing come together with Santana?
Gregg: I don’t know. That’s not my job either (laughs).
Gus: The promoter had the idea?
Gregg: Well, I’m sure my manager had something to do with it.
Gus: Do you have any history with Santana or do you know him personally?
Gregg: Oh yeah! I haven’t seen him in decades but I know him well!
Gus: It seems like a good pairing. What can the fans expect when the Allman Brothers come to town?
Gregg: (pauses) The same thing they got last time (laughs)!
Gus: Going back to the book real quick, I wanted to talk about the author Alan Light. How did you get hooked up with Alan to do your book?
Gregg: Through the publisher.
Gus: Did you have a good working relationship with Alan?
Gregg: I did, I did.
Gus: Thanks for doing this interview and we’re looking forward to seeing the band in a few weeks!
Gregg: Alright, thanks!
We would like to thank Sharyn Rosenblum Senior Director of Media Relations for setting up the interview with Gregg. For more information on Gregg and how to purchase this book, please go to: Gregg Allman .
For more information on the Allman Brothers including the upcoming tour with Santana, please go to: Allman Brothers.
