Died On This Date (October 29, 1971) Duane Allman / The Allman Brothers
themusicsover Howard Duane Allman
November 26, 1946 – October 29, 1971
Before becoming a household name as founding lead guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band, Duane Allman was an in-demand session guitarist who played on many classic records of the late ’60s. His amazing guitar work was first heard on Wilson Picket’s superb 1968 recording of “Hey Jude.” Eric Clapton was so impressed by Allman’s playing on that record, that he invited him down to the studio for the Derek & the Dominos sessions. The two clicked and Allman joined on to add his signature guitar sound to most of the tracks on Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. It’s Allman’s guitar that is the most recognizable and most celebrated on the album. Allman also played on hit recordings by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, Clarence Carter and Boz Scaggs. In 1969, he and his brother Gregg Allman, formed the Allman Brothers band, which went on to become one of the most influential rock bands America has ever produced. Albums like The Allman Brothers Band, At Fillmore East, and Eat A Peach are considered landmark recordings of the rock era. In Rolling Stone’s 2003 list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time, Allman came in at #2, just behind Jimi Hendrix. On October 29, 1971, just as the Allman Brothers were reaching new heights in their career, Allman was out riding his motorcycle while the band was taking a break from the road. In what was ruled an accident, Allman lost control of his bike as he tried to avoid a large truck that was turning up ahead of him. Duane Allman died of his injuries at a local hospital. He was just 24.
What You Should Own
Ronnie Van Zant was the singer and main songwriter for southern rock powerhouse, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band he formed in 1964 with fellow high school classmates. The band slugged it out on the road in and around the southeast region of the U.S. until they got their break by getting signed to MCA Records in 1972. The following year, they released their debut album, pronounced leh-nerd skin-nerd, which included such future hits and Southern rock staples as “Gimme Three Steps,” “Tuesday’s Gone,” and of course, “Free Bird.” The hits continued to roll in and the band soon found them self touring with such bands as the Who and the Rolling Stones. By late 1977, the band was as popular as any in America, had just completed their Street Survivors album, and were in the middle of what was to be their biggest tour yet. But then one of popular music’s worst tragedies struck. On October 20, 1977, while flying between shows in Greenville, South Carolina and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, their small chartered plane experienced engine trouble causing it to crash outside of Gillsburg, Mississippi. Dead on impact were band members, Ronnie Van Zant (29), 
Cassie Gaines was part of gospel trio who, in 1975 were invited to join Lynyrd Skynyrd as back-up singers. Her brother, 
