Midnight Rider' Gregg Allman and his rock music journey (Tribute)

In a nearly half-century career, both in a band and solo, his distinctive voice, inspired lyrics and energetic guitar work went to make Gregg Allman a musical legend as pioneer and practitioner of 'Southern Rock' - which brought together rock and roll with traditional blues, jazz, country music and other forms to create a unique and unforgettable sound.

"Music is my life's blood. I love music, I love to play good music, and I love to play music for people who appreciate it. And when it's all said and done, I'll go to my grave and my brother will greet me, saying, 'Nice work, little brother-you did all right'. I must have said this a million times, but if I died today, I have had me a blast," noted Allman, who died on Saturday, in his autobiography "My Cross to Bear" (2012).

It was a long, arduous and frequently heart-breaking journey but Allman, who began his musical career by delivering newspapers to earn enough to buy a guitar, faced it with fortitude. As he said in one of his best-known songs: "Well, I've got to run to keep from hidin',/And I'm bound to keep on ridin'/And I've got one more silver dollar,/But I'm not gonna let 'em catch me, no,/Not gonna let 'em catch the Midnight Rider.."

Born in Nashville, Tennessee on December 8, 1947, Gregory LeNoir Allman was two when his army officer father was killed by a man he had offered a lift. His mother, who sought to become a certified public accountant, had to put him and his elder brother Duane (born 1945) in a hostel as she had to live on campus. Allman long thought his mother was abandoning them before realising she had chosen a better option than an orphanage. 

The brothers had no particular inclination for music but Allman cited two influences that inspired him - a concert he and his brother attended in Nashville in 1960 and a mentally-challenged neighbour who taught him to play the guitar.

Meanwhile, the family had moved to Florida and it was here that the brothers formed their first real band 'The Escorts'. This soon became the 'Allman Joys' and then the 'Hour Glass' - as which they even recorded two studio albums but didn't like them very much and chafed at the record label's onerous conditions.

It all changed in 1969 when the Allman Brothers Band came up. Allman, on vocals and keyboard, as well in charge of songwriting) was complemented by Duane Allman (slide guitar and lead guitar), Dickey Betts (lead guitar, vocals, songwriting), Berry Oakley (bass guitar), Butch Trucks and Jai 'Jaimoe' Johanson (on drums). Showcasing what would be later categorised Southern Rock (though most of them didn't like the name), their live shows were known for their jam band-style improvisation and inspired instrumentals.