Belated Tribute to Allman Brothers Drummer Butch Trucks
Last Tuesday, January 24, Allman Brothers Band founding member and drummer Butch Trucks took his life in his West Palm Beach condo. According to Billboard.com, his wife of 25 years, Melinda, was nearby when he shot himself and made the "call to police around 6 p.m. local time that was described as 'hysterical,' as she struggled to speak in complete sentences." Although Trucks was still breathing when police arrived, he died just moments later. An autopsy is being performed by the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office and results aren't expected to be known for several weeks.
The Allman Brothers Band was formed in Jacksonville, Fla., in 1969 by brothers Greg and Duane Allman, Barry Oakely, Jai Johanny "Jaimo" Johanson and Butch Trucks. Both Duane Allman and Barry Oakley died due to injuries sustained in separate motorcycle accidents when they were just 24 years old. The band has disbanded and reformed various times over the years and Butch Trucks had always been a part of each incarnation.
I remember seeing them with Lynyrd Skynyrd at the St. Paul Civic Center back in the early '90s, and they put on one helluva show. As a belated tribute to this storied musician, here are my Top Five Favorite Allman Brothers Band Hits:
- 1
Revival (Love Is Everywhere)
As the lead single from their second studio album, Idlewild South, this track only made it to No. 92 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1970.
- 2
One Way Out
This tune was originally recorded and released in the early to mid-1960s by Sonny Boy Williamson II and Elmore James. The band liked performing it in concert and a live recording was included on their third studio release, Eat a Peach.
- 3
Ramblin' Man
This was their only Top 10 single, peaking at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1973.
- 4
Good Clean Fun
This was the lead single from their ninth studio album, Seven Turns, and peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 1990.
- 5
Seven Turns
I saved the best for last, as this is my favorite Allman Brothers single. It was released at a time when I was struggling with some life choices and really spoke to me at the time. It peaked at No. 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 1990.
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