He Was Both A Legend and a Hot Mess
Even by rock star standards, the life Gregg Allman was insane. He left us too soon—but even in that short time, he lived a whole lotta life. He had enough tragedies, scandals, marriages, and vices for his entire band. and then some.
More than anything, Gregg embodied the highs and lows of rock ‘n’ roll. His downfall was one for the ages—but so was his redemption.
1. He Had A Tragic Childhood
Gregory Allman was born on December 8, 1947 in Nashville. Tragedy struck his family the day after Christmas in 1949. His dad Willis and a friend went to a bar where a stranger, Michael Robert Green, chatted them up. They bonded over being veterans, drank, and talked late into the night. When Michael asked Willis for a ride home, agreeing was no-brainer.
It was the worst decision of his life.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
2. He Wasn’t Prepared
Gregg’s dad Willis had his own demons, but what his passenger did put them all to shame. They were on the highway when Michael whipped out a gun. He forced everyone out of the car. Turns out, Buddy thought Willis was rich because he had a new car. He was mistaken.
But Willis Allman, knowing nothing was worth his life, said “Take the car, take everything”. It didn’t work.
Paragon Agency-management, Wikimedia Commons
3. He Lost His Dad
Buddy, showing no mercy, said, “You know my name. Now I gotta kill ya”. He pulled the trigger. Geraldine became a single mom, the boys became fatherless, and the family became paupers. Surrendering Gregg and his brother Duane to an orphanage was a real possibility.
An accounting program could be their salvation, but there was a catch.
ebay itemimage, Wikimedia Commons
4. He Was Sent Away
Geraldine wanted to go back to school to support her family, but she had to live on campus, and couldn’t take her sons. So, she sent them to a strict boarding school until she could live with them again. Gregg, convinced she hated him, started to hate her right back—and hated his time there.
Once Geraldine got back on her feet, she moved her middle schoolers back to Daytona Beach, Florida. There, Gregg and Duane’s destiny waited for them.
5. He Fell In Love
It’s hard to believe, but there was once a time when Gregg Allman didn’t live and breathe music. His dream as a child was, of all things, to become a dentist. But their grandma had a drummer neighbor who caught their eye.
Then, a 1960 concert—starring Jackie Wilson, Otis Redding, B.B. King, and Patti LaBelle—sealed the deal. Hook, line and sinker.
6. He Was Obsessed
For better and for worse, Gregg and Duane didn’t do anything by halves. They fell in love with music, and never looked back. Gregg even skipped his high school graduation to perform at a random show. But the dedication didn’t stop there. To avoid the draft and keep honing his chops, Gregg shot himself in the foot. Literally.
But music also turned out to be a battle for survival.
7. He Was A Struggling Artist
There are overnight successes, and there’s the Allman brothers. They played in many bands, moved around the country, and took any gigs for years. Then in 1969, they created the Allman Brothers Band with five other guys. Their first two albums flopped, but 1971’s At Fillmore East changed their fortunes.
As Gregg’s career skyrocketed, his love life wasn’t far behind.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
8. He Was A Player
Gregg Allman was a master of playing instruments…and women. His nickname was the well-earned “Coyotus Maximus”. On his randiest nights, Gregg had four or five women waiting for him in different rooms. He didn’t even try to lie or pretend to be a gentleman. He just told them “I’ll be right back!” But Gregg later had a change of heart.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
9. He Got Married
At 24 years old, Gregg decided it was time to settle down. Enter, Shelley Kay Jefts. She was the concert promoter that Gregg met, fell in love with, and married that same year. But she’d made an enemy in Duane. “Man, what…do you think you’re doing?” he demanded of his brother.
Duane hated Shelley, and was convinced something was wrong with her. And considering the fact that the two were playing music together full time, it posed a pretty big problem.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
10. He Married Wrong
Gregg Allman learned the hard way that sometimes, big brother knows best. The rock star on stage that everyone fell in love with and the man off stage weren’t the same person. He realized that Shelley “loved me for what she thought I was, and as soon as that knot was tied, she started to try to change me”.
And there was one bad habit that was just about impossible for Gregg to change.
11. He Was Addicted
The Allman Brothers Band spent a lot of time rehearsing—and a lot of time experimenting with all kinds of illicit substances. They also all quit, or tried to, over the years. But no one struggled more than Gregg.
Heavy drinking and illicit substances weren’t new to him, and fame and fortune had made it so much worse. But he was about to face something that dwarfed every other problem.
Warner Bros, Wikimedia Commons
12. He Was Devastated
While on a break from touring in 1971, Duane Allman was involved in a motorcycle accident and didn’t survive. Gregg was absolutely devastated. Not only had he lost his older brother—but during their last conversation, he’d also lied to Duane (more on that later).
At the memorial, Gregg played Duane’s favorite song, “Melissa”. And then, he had to pick up the pieces.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
13. He Persisted
Music lost one of its greatest guitarists, Gregg Allman lost his brother, and the band lost its leader. This tragedy could’ve been the end of the group. Instead, they took a short break and then released the 1972 album Eat a Peach. The hit album proved they weren’t one-hit wonders, and that they could survive without Duane.
The Allman Brothers Band were here to stay…well, most of them. Another tragedy came for the band, and this one was eerie.
Capricorn Records, Wikimedia Commons
14. He Had Another Loss
Just over a year after Duane’s passing, the band suffered another loss. In an eerie coincidence, Berry Oakley, one of the founding members of the band, also lost his life in a motorcycle crash. To make things even stranger, Berry passed at the same age as Duane—and three blocks away. The tragedies persisted, but so did the band.
Their next album Brothers and Sisters (1973) cemented them as one of the decade’s biggest bands. But as Gregg’s career continued falling into place, his marriage kept falling apart.
15. He Had Relationship Problems
After a year of not-so-wedded bliss and a son, Gregg and Shelley divorced in 1972. But Gregg didn’t learn his lesson: he met and married Janice Blair within a year in 1973. His second marriage turned out to be an even bigger disaster.
He complained about her jealousy…while admitting to checking out other women without shame or guilt. It gets worse.
16. He Got Divorced Again
Janice never stood a chance once she started partying with her new husband Gregg. When Janice went on tour with the band, she pulled the Mrs. Allman card to get a key. She used it to swipe some hard stuff from a roadie while he was sleeping. Gregg, furious, sent her home.
They divorced after a year of a marriage that was as sober as it was happy. Turns out, the Allman Brothers Band were tempted to follow suit.
17. He Went Solo
The band’s career had never been better, but their relationship had never been worse. The Allman Brothers Band could thank addiction, creative differences, and miscommunications for that. In 1973, Gregg released Laid Bank and started a successful solo career on top of band stuff.
Gregg’s popularity soon exploded—but it was for a different and messier reason.
Capricorn Records, Wikimedia Commons
18. He Had A Meet Ugly
There’s shameless, and there’s what happened in January 1975. Cher came to Gregg’s solo concerts on a date with music executive David Geffen. That didn’t stop Gregg from sending the popstar a note asking her out. It also didn’t stop Cher from giving Gregg her number right in front of David. The artists went on a date the next day, and it was horrible.
NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons
19. He Was The Worst Date
On their first date, Gregg Allman passed out in the bathroom high. Cher gave him another chance, and soon enough, they were the it-couple. Their romance made Gregg more “famous for being famous than for his music”. It also made the band resent him even more. When Cher began dropping hints about marriage, Gregg’s stomach dropped.
20. He Wasn’t Honest
Turns out, Gregg Allman hadn’t been honest with her about his addiction and how bad it was. But if Cher wanted to marry him, then she deserved to know the truth. So Gregg came clean about not being clean. Cher, elated that he told her the truth, jumped into action. She convinced a doctor friend to write him a huge prescription for Quaaludes.
The plan was for Gregg to sleep through his withdrawal. They hoped the unconventional cure would see him overcome his addiction after snoozing for a few weeks. The results were…unsurprisingly ineffective.
21. He Got Married
Cher reassured Greg, saying “Don’t worry, baby, you can beat that. I’ll stand right by you, every minute”. Not-so-fun fact: Cher’s father had substance issues, so she had huge feelings about this. So, Gregg pretended he wasn’t struggling. Then on a random day in June 1975, she woke up and suggested they get married.
Gregg, ever the romantic, replied “Well, why not?”
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
22. He Couldn’t Quit
Gregg Allman and Cher eloped in Las Vegas that same day and it was downhill from there. Four days later, Cher discovered Gregg’s stash and filed for divorce. She told everyone that Gregg was “so high he didn’t even understand me”. Cher decided to stay—only for Gregg to file for divorce over their differences shortly after.
But then, when they found out Cher was pregnant, they decided to stay together. And then Gregg had another mess to face.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
23. He Was Torn
Gregg’s already strained relationship with the Allman Brothers Band finally snapped in 1976. Their road manager Scooter Herring was heading to trial for dealing. Since they had been for Gregg, the rock star got tangled in the mess. At first, he refused to cooperate. But the prosecution warned Gregg that he could end up behind bars too. The ball was in Gregg’s court.
24. He Snitched
Gregg Allman asked Scooter what he should do. The road manager, not wanting to take a friend down with him, told Gregg to cooperate. Gregg’s lawyer also promised that Scooter never stood a chance. With Scooter’s blessing, Gregg secured immunity and testified against him. But not everyone else was as forgiving.
This led to Gregg getting threats from gang members and needing protection. But his band’s reaction hurt even more.
25. He Crossed the Line
Snitching was already unforgivable, and that was before Scooter got his sentence. It was 75 years. Multiple band members spoke out against Gregg and swore they’d never work with him again. Scooter ended up only serving 18 months—but the damage was done.
The Allman Brothers Band broke up. Gregg threw himself into his solo music, his new Gregg Allman Band, and an unexpected collaboration.
Capricorn Records, Wikimedia Commons
26. He Had A Messy Tour
Gregg Allman and Cher weren’t exactly compatible romantically—but despite their issues, they decided to test the waters and see if they were compatible professionally. Their joint effort, 1977’s album Two the Hard Way was a disappointment—and that’s saying it nicely. In Gregg’s words, “That record sucked, man. That’s the truth, and I know it as well as anyone”.
Their joint tour was an even bigger disaster. The audience, a mix of Allman Brothers Band and Cher fans, often fought each other. She reached her limit.
27. He Was Dumped
In the middle of the tour, Cher came to Gregg crying. She couldn’t stand the fighting anymore, and demanded they cancel the tour. It was the beginning of the end. It didn’t help that Gregg kept relapsing. After four years of marriage, they called it quits for good. But Gregg couldn’t resist going back to an ex—but it’s not the one you’re thinking of.
28. He Was Reunited
The Allman Brothers Band got back together in 1978. Turns out, they missed each other, regretted how things ended, and needed some money. Their first album back together, Enlightened Rogues (1979) was a success. Their reunion was off to a promising start.
But then, their next two albums were embarrassments. It didn’t help that there were still tensions. They were doomed from the start.
Capricorn Records, Wikimedia Commons
29. He Married Again
Gregg Allman and Cher finalized their divorce in 1979, and he wasted no time in rebounding. Julie Bindas was private, rode motorcycles, and was the ultimate cool girl. The opposite of a pop star. Gregg married Julie and had a daughter, Delilah Island with her that same year. But this was no routine relationship—Julie kept Gregg on his toes.
She once even left him a note informing him that she had a Smith and Wesson .45, and would happily use it on him.
Patrick Partington, Getty Images
30. He Was A Mess
Unfortunately, the fourth time wasn’t the charm, and Gregg and Julie divorced in 1982. The Allman Brothers Band went down the same path next year. Gregg spent the rest of the decade adrift and drinking. He even got busted for drinking and driving. He was often so inebriated that he could only record one line at a time. And that was with the producer bribing him with more drinks and pizza.
Gregg was past his prime, and terrified of being forgotten.
31. He Had A Mid-Life Crisis
Gregg Allman, by his own admission, had a mid-life crisis in 1989. Talking to the beautiful and young Danielle Galiana made him realize two scary things. First, he was 42 and getting older. Second, Gregg worried that beautiful women wouldn’t want him as he aged. Gregg figured he might as well marry someone hot now. Danielle would do.
With that sound reasoning, it’s actually a pleasant surprise they lasted five years before divorcing.
Sterling Munksgard, Shutterstock
32. He Was Honored
In 1989, The Allman Brothers Band reunited for their 20th anniversary. Their new music made them feel re-energized and hopeful. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the next year. It was well-earned and a long time coming. It should’ve been one of the highest moments in Gregg’s career.
Instead, it turned out to be rock bottom.
33. He Hit Rock Bottom
While many legendary performers and inductees graced the stage that night, Gregg’s meltdown is what people remember. Like most inductees, he’d prepared a speech and a list of people to thank. But by time Gregg stepped up to the mic, he was too inebriated to remember.
He only managed to thank Duane—and only Duane. Waking up the morning after wasn’t just a wake-up call. It became the wakeup call.
34. He Had A Wake Up Call
Whenever Gregg watched the videos from this time, he couldn’t recognize himself. Gregg knew he had to get clean. For real, and for good this time. But it’d take something—or someone—special to get him sober and to make it stick.
Luckily for Gregg, he crossed paths with the right woman at the right place and the right time.
35. He Had A Savior
Gregg’s story would’ve ended even earlier without Stacey Fountain. They married in 2001, but she was more than his sixth wife. Stacey was the reason Gregg survived addiction and hepatitis C for that long. But Gregg was also the reason Stacey snapped.
When Stacey learned he was headed out on tour, she made her own plans to hang out with friends and family in Europe. This shouldn’t have been a big deal, but Gregg made it one.
Jonathan Leibson, Getty Images
36. He Was Blindsided
Gregg Allman didn’t want Stacey to go, and gave her a piece of his mind. Since Stacey was kind and helped him pack after this fight, he thought they were fine. But he finished his tour and came home to an emptied house. A bag in the middle of the room was the only thing Stacey spared. Message received loud and clear.
Gregg’s sixth marriage lasted seven years, but he could’ve used Stacey’s support for what was coming.
37. He Was Sick
Once Gregg’s health issues started, they didn’t stop. The hepatitis C diagnosis was in 2007. The discovery of three liver tumors was in 2008. The respiratory infection and lung surgery were in 2011. The rehab stint for addiction, and liver cancer diagnosis were in 2012. Doctors estimated that Gregg might live another 12 to 18 months with treatment.
And so, Gregg made a devastating decision.
38. He Accepted His Fate
Gregg Allman, then 65 years old, refused radiation. The potential damage to his voice was unacceptable. Gregg spent his final days making music and writing his memoir My Cross to Bear (2012). He made peace with everything: “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”.
Then, a miracle happened.
39. He Defied The Odds
Gregg Allman smashed his life expectancy by years, but he was far from cured. His time was still running out. Fast. In the meantime, Gregg did his favorite things, and spent time making music and making love. Gregg’s liver was failing, but his heart? It’d never been better—at least romantically. Gregg didn’t give up on romance. It turned out that the seventh time could be the charm.
40. He Fell In Love Instantly
When Gregg Allman noticed a beautiful blonde in the crowd at a gig, he stopped in his tracks. He declared “Excuse me, folks, I'd like to get the chance to meet this lady”. The lady turned out to Shannon Williams, and the spark turned out to be more than lust at first sight.
Their marriage in 2012 scandalized everyone—but this wasn’t just because it was Gregg’s seventh.
Andrea Klein, Wikimedia Commons
41. He Fell In Love For Real
Turns out, Gregg was old enough to be Shannon’s father—and then some. The 64-year-old past-his-prime rock star marrying the 24-year-old couldn’t have been more cliché and creepy. But the newlyweds felt misunderstood. Shannon swore he was “a really shy, sweet Southern gentleman” with her.
And Gregg went even further.
Derek Bridges, Wikimedia Commons
42. He Dissed His Exes
In My Cross to Bear, Gregg Allman made a confession about his pre-Shannon love life. He insisted, “Every woman I’ve ever had a relationship with has loved me for who they thought I was. Maybe they were in love with whatever was onstage, but when the lights are out and the sound goes off, you’re left with this dude, and that’s me”. Sorry, Cher!
Of course it was never his fault. But not everyone bought what Gregg was selling.
Carl Lender, Wikimedia Commons
43. He Found True Love
During an interview, Piers Morgan couldn’t resist asking Gregg how Shannon felt about being wife number seven. Gregg set the record straight: “That’s not what she’s becoming. She’s becoming wife number one. I don’t have a wife, I haven’t had one for years”. Gregg saw Shannon as his first and only true love. Ouch.
And while his marriage fell into place, The Allman Brothers Band fell apart again.
44. He Reached The End
The Allman Brothers Band called it quits in 2014. It was for real, yet different, this time. The band planned and announced their breakup in advance. This meant they could do goodbye concerts and give everyone closure.
The Allman Brothers Band had changed a lot over the years, and they’d also changed music. This goodbye prepared their fans for the real deal.
Jeremy Flint from Birmingham, AL, USA, Wikimedia Commons
45. He Declined
Gregg’s health continued declining over the years, and his liver cancer spread to his lungs by October 2016. There would be no treatment options and no miraculous recoveries this time. But you’d never know it looking at him. Gregg continued making music and playing shows, even if he had to make vague excuses for canceling shows or dismiss hospice rumors.
Gregg knew he only had one last album left in him—and he wanted to make the most of it.
46. He Said Goodbye
Southern Blood was a lifetime in the making. But Gregg Allman sdidn’t just want his final album to only be about his impending demise, and saying goodbye. Gregg also explained and made sense of his life. For his fans and for himself. Gregg wanted to make original songs, but his health didn’t allow it. He covered meaningful and storytelling songs instead. Gregg chose a September 2017 release to avoid clashing with more popular artists.
Liza from Milwaukee, Wikimedia Commons
47. He Got Revenge
Way back in 1971, just before Gregg’s brother Duane died, the pair had gotten into a fight. One night, Duane used up all Gregg’s white stuff, so Gregg didn’t just get mad. He got even. He stormed into his brother’s home and found him passed out in bed. He used up half of Duane’s stash, and headed home.
When Duane woke up, he called Gregg, cursing at him and demanding “Did you come over here and steal”? Gregg would live to regret his response.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
48. He Lied
“No, I did not”, Gregg told his brother. Duane believed him and apologized: “Okay, man, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called you up, accusing you…I sure do love ya”. This should’ve been something they laughed at in time. But Gregg and Duane didn’t have that time.
Gregg later revealed the truth about the interaction, and confessed his regret that his last words to Duane were lies. He said, “I have thought of that lie every day of my life, and I just keep re-crucifying myself for it. I know that’s not what he would want—well, not for long, anyway”.
49. He Passed
On May 26, 2017, Gregg spent the night making some final tweaks to the album. The 69-year-old then went to bed…and never woke up. The funeral? So Gregg. Countless celebrity friends, including Cher, attended. They all wore jeans, as he requested. Then there were the hundreds of fans, many wearing Allman Brothers Band shirts and blasting their music, that lined the procession route.
Gregg, at peace with Duane and Berry, had one last move.
Jonathan Bayer, Wikimedia Commons
50. He Was Remembered
In September, his final album was released posthumously to critical acclaim. In “My Only True Friend”, the only original song he managed to make, Gregg bared his soul and darkest fear. He repeatedly sang to his fans “I hope you’re haunted by the music of my soul when I’m gone”. Gregg was many things, but forgettable was never one of them.
Alberto Cabello from Vitoria Gasteiz, Wikimedia Commons
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Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
