Duane Allman, one more young genius taken from us before his time, started his career at young age, he dropped out of high school and focused on studying and improving his guitar playing skills, which later helped him land a session work with likes of Eric Clapton, Wilson Pickett and Aretha Franklin. Duane eventually shot to fame with The Allman Brothers Band, one of the most influential rock bands of the 70’s, loved by critics and fans alike. Duane Allman recorded two studio albums and one live release with his own band before his untimely death.
Death of Duane Allman
Duane Allman died from a motorcycle accident few months after the release of “At Fillmore East”, while taking a break from hectic recording- and touring schedule. In October 29, Duane Allman was riding his Harley-Davidson Sportster in Macon, Georgia, when suddenly a Chevy flatbed truck stopped in middle intersection.
At 5:44 PM, Duane Allman lost control of his motorcycle while trying to steer clear of the truck, bike landed on him and causing massive internal injuries. He was rushed to the hospital where he died on operating table at 8:40PM. In three weeks it would have been his 25th birthday.
Duane Allman Funeral
Duane Allman is buried side by side with band mate Berry Oakley on a Rose Hill Cemetery, where the band used to hang out and wrote tunes. Nearby is a grave of Elizabeth Reed, made famous by song composed by Dickey Betts.
In 1998, Georgia State honored the late guitar hero by naming State Highway 19 within Macon as “Duane Allman Boulevard”, but for fans, Duane Allman will always be known of his impromptu and slide guitar skills and his short but inspiring stay in the band that he co-found.
Howard Duane Allman: 20th November 1946 – 29th October 1971
