by Scott Freeman 1996

Hal Leonard Publishing Corp. 

Skydog: The Duane Allman Story

The True Story of Guitar Legend Duane Allman

“Poe captures the essence of Duane Allman. . . . Skydog is a fitting tribute to one of the best and most influential musicians to ever come out of the South.”

—Chuck Leavell, Rolling Stones; former Allman Brothers Band keyboardist

“As a personality and musician, Skydog was the one and only. Randy Poe brings him back to life. His portrait of Allman is rendered with sensitivity, scholarship, and a whole lot of blues-loving passion.”

—David Ritz, four-time Ralph J. Gleason Music Book Award winner

San Francisco—A guitar legend 35 years after his death, Duane Allman is revered by fans and musicians alike. Now, Backbeat Books offers Skydog, the first biography of Duane Allman. Skydog reveals Duane’s entire story, from his childhood and the struggling early days of the Allman Brothers Band, through the arrival of fame and legendary gigs like the Fillmore East concerts, and on to his tragic death in 1971 and his continuing legacy.

Whether churning out incredible solos in the Allman Brothers Band, recording killer tracks with stars like Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett, or laying down his immortal “Layla” riff, Allman was never less than incendiary on guitar. But nothing came easily for Duane—he labored ceaselessly to perfect his craft and to find a place in era’s tumultuous music scene, and he struggled mightily with his own demons.

Detailing his musical influences, his relationship with brother Gregg Allman, his sessions as a sideman in Muscle Shoals and New York, his contributions to slide guitar technique, and much more, author Randy Poe taps the people who knew Duane best, paying tribute to one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

This DVD was filmed and recorded live at the Beacon Theatre March 25-26, 2003. The Allman Brothers Band have had their share of personnel changes through the years. The Live at Beacon Theater DVD  arguably offers their best line-up since Duane Allman was in the band, it features Warren Hayes and Derek Trucks on guitar. Below are a few other offerings.

Songs: Ain't Wastin' Time No More, Black Hearted Woman, Statesboro Blues, Woman Across the River, A Change Is Gonna Come, Maydell, Come & Go Blues, Rockin' Horse, Desdemona, Don't Keep Me Wondering, Midnight Rider, Soul Shine, High Cost of Low Living, Leave My Blues at Home, Old Before My Time, The Same Thing, Melissa, Instrumental Illness, Worried Down with the Blues, Dreams, Whippin' Post, One Way Out (encore)