I finished Gregory's book a couple of days ago and I was stunned. It was obviously a book about 45+ years that I have been a part of and so much of it was so familiar. Reliving a lot of it through Gregg ranged from tears to raging laughter and pretty much every emotion in between. What stunned me was how open to his inner self Gregg is in the book. I am still taking in a lot of what he had to say but I just can't say enough how proud I am of Gregg right now. It took a ton of courage for him to open up the way he has in this book. You want to know how incredible it is to play music, be a member of the ABB in all of its formations and how horrible being a celebrity can be, read this book. He lays it all on the line and pulls no punches on himself. Gregory, you da man!!! GREAT JOB.
It has been a while since I've had the time to post here. In case you don't know it we are recreating Moogis and that has kept me very busy. Moogis will go live for the Peach Festival in August. It will be free and we intend to stream a new concert everyday from then on. We'll draw from our archives early on as we build out places to stream live from around the country. It is our hope that within a few months you'll be able to watch a "live" concert every night. For free. Go to www.moogis.com and sign up.
One more thing: I just finished a video as practice for an instructional DVD I'll do later this year. If you'd like to know how I play Whippin Post check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNGQudbM3OQ
That's all for now. I would answer some of the more outlandish comments that have been posted to the blog, but I won't. I've already said it enough: if you don't like what I have to say, either respond with your version or just don't come here. Simply calling me names does no one any good, or harm, for that matter.
You rock, Butch. And now you can add "book reviewer" to your resume!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Butch! Been waiting to read something of yours since you last posted during the holidays. Thanks for sharing your insights on Gregg's book, can't wait to get my hands on a copy. Keep rockin!
ReplyDeleteAll the best from a fan in the Milwaukee area.
Read Gregg's book and thought it was a great insight into the band and shed some light on questions I had about Dickey. Please don't let so much time go by between your posts. Also I was a Moogis member from the start...looking forward to the new Moogis!
ReplyDeleteI finished the book recently and then read Skydog. Gregg's book is amazing as are your (somewhat infrequent) posts. As good as all the writing has been sometimes I think it would be good to have the type of details that you would think boring. Details such as what is a day you play at the Beacon like, from waking up until crashing at the end of the day. Who does what? Roadies? Lights? All that.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Steve from Fairbanks
Butch, the only nasty things I'm seeing on this blog are comments regarding Moogis and some of the things that transpired amongst the Allman Brothers in the past.
ReplyDeleteThe political discussion has been tame, comparatively. Sure, there's disagreements but that is to be expected in politics. But I haven't seen name calling. I've hovered here for some time and never commented. I actually enjoy the political opinions being put out here (including yours).
Good to see you back. Agree, the book is amazing.
ReplyDeleteAgree that Gregg's book is remarkably candid. What's that quote about writing? -- every morning you sit in front of a typewriter and open a vein? Seems like he followed that model.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the drumming video. Like the two camera approach and your understandable explanations of time signature changes, etc.
Keep writing please.
Hey Butch,
ReplyDeleteI also thoroughly enjoyed Gregory's book - and want to mention, the Whipping Post instructional video is very cool; I look forward to more of that. Thanks much.
I'm halfway through the books and enjoying the openness and honesty. One of the top items on my "bucket list" is to see the ABB in person and in Columbia, MD I'm going to do just that, and from the front row. This is a splurge I was happy to make. I can't wait to hop on the plane and head southeast!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to your blog. You've been missed.
Joanne
Calgary
I loved all the Duane parts of the book which was almost half the book, and that was great. I was a little surprised at a lot of the pot shots he took at a lot of other musicians. I mean, he said he saw Hendrix live once and was not that impressed, didn't think much of the grateful dead, Cher couldn't sing (okay) but said I was her best lay. And the only thing he cared much about women was screwing them. I mean, he comes off at times like a pretty dumb hick which is just backed up in us many tv interviews on tv promoting the book where he just looks plain out of it like Bran Wilson.
ReplyDeleteDoug
I agree with you, Doug. He certainly did not paint a flattering picture of himself. The historical stuff was good. Inside information was good. But some things are best left unsaid.
DeleteBut remember, an autobiography is a person's take on what they see in life. It's their personal take on things and this is what we got in Gregg's book. It's his own personal opinions.
DeleteThis is true. But reading that book is sort of like meeting that person that you've previously only had a phone relationship and finding out the face doesn't match the mental image you created by listening to the voice.
DeleteKind of a cheap shot at ABB bassist David "Rook" Goldflies (a good friend of mine). Perhaps because he was brought in by Betts. Gregory says words to the effect that he played too many notes, but nothing even close to what Otiel plays these days. Both are excellent players.
DeleteAgree about thee Dead and the twirly dancers, and Hendrix did some really crappy shows. I hope Gregory is not talking about Hendrix at the Atlanta Pop Festival in '70. It was one of Jimi's better shows toward the the end of his all too short career. I was there.
Oteil doesn't come close to Goldflies bombast. Much more restrained and tasteful and he picks his spots to step out well. When Betts' started the Dickey Betts band how come he didn't call Goldflies?
DeleteI have a seen Oteil up close a couple of times at the Beacon and I don't believe there's a finer bassist out there.
I can appreciate you're sticking up for a friend but Allman is only offering his opinion....
I've only seen David on tape for one performance outdoors in Gainesville, so that's all I have to go by. I thought he played well. I've seen Oteil live several times, including recently at Wanee, where he was great as well, but also caught ABB in D.C. where he was very busy. I dig both of them, but still miss Berry.
DeleteLook at the cover of the book. It's not an autobiography; it's a memoir. That book came mostly from cassette tapes recorded by a friend in the late 70s and early 80s. That should be enough said. He hurt many people with lies that were published in that book, and made himself look like an idiot. Love the music. I've been a fan since childhood, but that's actually the second time he's shot himself in the foot now.
DeleteI enjoyed some of Gregg's book b/c I love the (old) ABB. What I wish is that he hadn't said that Berry only played 1-out-of-five notes right in his last year. No, I wasn't there. No, I wasn't in the Band. I've heard five shows from '72 and I hear nothing to complain about thats any worse than anyone else's flubs at that time. Were those five the exception? What are the odds I heard five good ones and no bad? Everyone knows Berry's problems from that time and I guess I just don't see/hear it the same as Gregg but I just can't see the point in his statement.
ReplyDeleteOK, so he wrote his version of events but I don't see his point in that kind of "honesty". Its his *opinion* but that doesn't make his choice of words or description more valid or somehow excusable simply *because* he's "honest". Maybe it just makes him kind of a jerk.
Butch I think your blogs are written very well and likewise many of the comments posted seem to be well thought out and written.
ReplyDeleteLots of Critique on the book here but only as far as Gregg's opinions and the content.Just curious (haven't picked it up a copy yet)what the literary quality of the book? good bad fair????
Was it much of a struggle to write? I mean after all writing is a tough gig. I just about gave up on it, but still find the whole process interesting and fascinating, getting published seems like it is a nightmare from what I've read on the topic. tell us about the process of writing the book and getting it published....Thanks
T,
The Wired Journal
I wish dickey would write a book,that I would pay for.
ReplyDeleteButch, its icing on the cake everytime you post something. dont know why people want more, more, more. If you want more, then get your happy ass off the couch and go see the Brothers. Thats where you'll get more.
ReplyDeleteWhen the ABB left Jax, we would follow the progress of the band in the NY Times Sunday ent. section (Fillmore Schedule). Finally, I was able to see the ABB play N.Y. Moogis made it happen.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Butch should write a book about the Jax Jam Days, the digital historian's out there just can't get it right.
Thanks for the review, Butch! Please come to Colorado soon. I'm jonesing for some live ABB at Red Rocks!
ReplyDeleteDickey write a book? I doubt he will. I read just the other day that Dickey is refusing interviews now saying "I'm 69 years old & said all that can be said already".
ReplyDeleteDickey will not even comment on Gregg's book, a book where not much positive is said about Dickey. Dickey loved Duane and saved his life and Duane thought a lot of Dickey and Dickey's guitar playing on Gregg's Mellisa is perfect.. is about it. Lots of negative jabs at Dickey though.
Hey Butch did Dickey quit or was he fired?
In the book Gregg indicates that he and Jaimoe agreed that Dickey quit after he took the band to court as Jaimoe apparently held the ground that the only way a brother would be out of the band is to die or quit.
But while promoting the book on a New England radio station, Gregg said "As the years went by it became more & more evident that Dickey didn't fit in..what happens off the stage between the people in a band that plays like the brothers affects what happens ON the stage. With him (Dickey) it had gotten so bad that we had to let him go".
So did Dickey quit or was he fired?
He's not going to answer you, Bobo.
DeleteWhat's done is done and he's having trouble going back on it. Gregg's treatment of Dickey in the book was horrible. The band was a brotherhood. Paraphrasing Dickey in Alan Paul's book, he says they helped each other out when they were down. That's what brother's due. Yeah, Dickey was down and out but so was Gregg. But instead of standing by Dickey, they kicked him to the side of the road. "He was mean to us."
You have to ask yourself, "What would Duane do?" Well, I think the answer is in Derek. Gregg mentions in his book that he believes Derek is Duane reincarnated. Well then, maybe Gregg and Butch should listen to Derek who recently was quoted in the press wishing that they would simply bury the hatchet.
I can't believe you guys are going to go to your graves with such hatred in your souls.
Believe it. Butch went to his grave with a whole lot of hatred, petulance and anger in his soul. To do what he did in front of his wife and child is unthinkable. I love the Allman Brothers Band, but I will not make excuses for Butch's actions at all.
DeleteHey Butch, I'm not sure if you remember me and I've been pretty much perusing any way to get back in contact with you since your AOL account went dead awhile ago and when I saw you guys on the ticket for PNC in an email I figured I'd try and catch you this time.
ReplyDeleteWe played world of warcraft together in blades of penance and you had arranged for tickets at PNC Bank Arts Center in 2006, well at the time I was a bit young and my parents didn't believe that I had tickets waiting for me so they sat and rotted at willcall(Something that has haunted me to this day, I always want to call PNC and just see if they have em still).
Anyways, You guy are coming back around but the difference is this time, I know who you guys are I'm no longer an uninformed 15 year old and I've become a huge fan of the jam! I've already bought tickets and I'm going but I was wondering if I could possibly getting a second chance at taking you up on that offer to meet up with you. I was going to try and reach out to you through Moogis as well, I hope these messages dont give you bad Juju, and if ya need proof just as an outside piece of knowledge I dont believe was in any interview as far as you playing online games, giving Bloodsport(Can't recall his full name at the moment) a graphics card when his broke was the story that got passed around BoP when people questioned that you were actually Butch before hopping on vent with you! You can catch me at xovahhavox@gmail.com
PS I'm sorry for hijacking the comments portion of Gregg, but it was the most recent.
Adorable! :) I hope he comments you Ryan
DeleteRyan, I just got old. I am now officially, n medicare. That coupled with my favorite say is: I can never remember a name but I can always forget a face makes it very unlikely that I will remember that ticket. Really sorry. I do try my best. e-mail me ASAP and I promise to do everything I can.
ReplyDeletebutchtru@gmail.com
butch-rydy, are you ever coming back to cincinati?
Deletejo jo
Having read My Cross to Bear, the general impression I get all throughout the book is that from the very beginning, the personal dynamic/relationship betwen Gregg & Dickey was always a bit tenuous at best for lack of a better word....I don't believe either of them ever truly "loved" the other one, both personally or professionally and I think the "brotherhood" stuff was just a product of being young & idealistic and was mostly the result of Duane & Berry's influence upon the band....Once they were gone, the Gregg/Dickey relationship was hot/cold and eventually ran it's course....That's not to say 99% of the ABB fans wouldn't love to see them playing together again....Mostly because they definitely created a certain "mystique" together that no longer exists today in it's present form....This is just my opinion after reading the book....Wish it wasn't the case because that "mystique" was magical to say the least and was definitely greater than the sum of it's individual parts....Nonetheless, people change and so do times....You can never re-create what once was; You can only admire it from a distance.
ReplyDeleteHi Butch Can't wait for the tour. I will be at Spac. Are the brothers working on any new music? and would they be played this summer?
ReplyDeleteHello Butch I would love to read Gregg's book - it sounds great! Just wanted you to know that the manager and customer service at Hittin the Note are just terrible or I would buy more things there. I paid for a shirt there a week ago and had my money refunded today after a ridiculous mail battle back and forth because the manager is having personal family problems. First sent mail a week later saying it was packed and ready to ship. Then says shipped last week, and badgering me because I don't have sympathy for her personal problems. Then my money was refunded and my account was closed. Real piece of work that Vicky. Peace Butch.
ReplyDeleteI've had nothing but great service from Hittin the Note, Vicky included. Just a differing opinion.
DeleteAgree with Angie. Customer Service with Vicky AND Hittin The Note have been spot on forever for me, my family and friends. Vicky has a great personality and has always been KIND. Might try some of that yourself "anonymous."
DeleteYou're not biased. I'm from Philadelphia and I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteI am from upstate NY and no doubt they are the best!!
ReplyDeleteButch you are not old. Rock and roll is an attitude not an age.
ReplyDeleteButch we need a new album!!
ReplyDeleteWe miss you. Please share more of your thoughts when you have time. Thanks, Adam
ReplyDeleteBT, thanks you so much for the FREE moogis weekend...what a generous offer and timely, given the horrible economy the world is suffering from. How cool that music lovers all over the world were able to join tog in viewing & chatting about the music we so dearly love. Truly respect the hardwork all of you put into the ABB. The music has been a blessing to so many lives . Ca
ReplyDeleteI did appreciate it however was very frustrating as it did not work for the first 6 hours with continous freezing every several seconds.
ReplyDeleteJust finished Gregg's (or Gregory's) book. It certainly was a revealing look behind the scenes. Any plans to do one yourself?
ReplyDeleteIn all the books written about (or now BY) the ABB, there's always a little bit missing about the creation of the music. It's touched on, but not in any great detail. Still, music is hard to write about at the best of times.
What was really "enlightening" to me, as a UK-based fan who had read most (all?) of the biographies and watched documentaries featuring the ABB like "Please Call Home" and "the Language of Sound", was that Gregg gave his opinion on which albums were "good", "bad" etc and the whys and wherefores of each record. When I started listening to the band in the mid 80's there was no real information available about the ABB (this was pre-internet!) and so whenever I "found" an album in a record store I'd buy it, but the context of the band situation was lost. Typically, I'd buy them out of chronological order, too. I knew different members joined/left the band but didn't know the reasons behind the changes.
For the most part I agree with his analysis of the albums, though I've always loved the way that the first ABB album was produced by Adrian Barber. To me it's raw and gutteral and still feels "fresh" whenever I listen to it.
One think I did disagree with him about, though, was when he said that everone in Europe knows who the ABB are and own at least one album. From my perspective, that's way off the mark. Even amongst musos, certain other "Southern" bands gained more notoriety, probably because their material was more radio-friendly. For me, finding the ABB was sheer luck and, to date, only one person I've met (outside of DTB/TTB/GM/GA gigs) has ever heard of them. Maybe that's a UK thing, though. The UK's only one small country in Europe, after all :-)
I bought the book when it was first released. It sat on the shelf until I had some time off to read it. I started the book 3 days ago and could not put it down. I have been a fan of ABB since first seeing them at the Spectrum and Tower in Philly. So basically from the beginning. Myself and the same group of friends still go to the Beacon every March and the Tower (when ABB plays there). Anyway, Gregory's book brought me back to the beginning. I loved reading it. I often wonder what the ABB would be today if Duane was still alive. Would Barry still be with us? Would Dickey have taken a back seat to Duane and still be in the band? What would the music be like? The last decade and the current band sounds great. I love the new players. They bring something new, at the same time are able to bring us back to the classic ABB songs in the style they were first played. My favorites are still the first 3 studio albums. I still have the original vinyl copies. And Buch is correct, the book was brave to write. I appreciate that Greg wrote it for us, the fans...
ReplyDeleteTo me the current lineup does not convey the vibe of the original band. But this is coming from an old man who saw the original band dozens of times in 1970 and 71 with the last time being a college in North Carolina. Maybe the Warren/Woody line up in the early 90's or the Jack Pearson line up comes closer. Also in 1999, the first year Derek Trucks was in the band, reminded me of the sound of the original band, especially on the slide solos.
ReplyDeleteAlso unless Duane's head and values changed radically as he aged, the ABB would still have the SAME players. Berry Oakley was in awe of Duane Allman & looked to him almost like he was a religious leader. Dickey Betts has said in interviews in just the last few years that he loved Duane Allman and had enormous respect for Duane. But unlike Oakely, Dickey has a temper & his personal abuse problems may have caused problems even with Duane. But Duane & Dickey were two side of the same coin back then. Both men were "in the bag" according to the inside info we fans got from people such as Red Dog. Lot's of pot, coke, booze with both Duane & Dickey.
So who knows? Gregg would still be there if his health held & Duane & Dickey might be two doped drunks & the ABB would be just a "has been" unit only playing to a small group of old drunk/drugged hippies who have recently been to more funerals than they have been to see the Allman Brothers.
If Duane had lived & the lifestyle of Duane, Dickey, Gregg & Oakley had continued with no change and assuming all four men would still be alive (didn't check out due to drugs/alcohol as the great guitar player Gary Moore did last year at AGE 58)would Jaimoe & Butch here be able to continue in that kind of lineup?
But I say again, unless Duane Allman's values had evolved and changed from 1971, there is NO question the line up would be the same as the original save the fact that someone hadn't died or quit. Duane Allman would have never fired an original member. I can hear him now say "Man that is horseshit! Ain't no way we could ax a cat in this band. We work out our problems man then eat a peach for peace".
Yep if Duane and Berry had not gotten killed and nobody died or quit, the Allman Brothers Band may not be as popular as now or then... and they might not be worth a shit because they are mostly burned out old drunks & dope heads..but IT WOULD STILL BE THE SAME LINEUP!! You bet it would be.
Us old fans know that without reservation and old time guys like the recently "late" Red Dog said it often. The dog told me via private Email just weeks before he died that if Berry & Duane were still alive, it would still be the original band even if nobody came to hear it anymore:-)
totally agree
DeleteI've listened to The Brothers for over 30 years and I don't think Gregg has ever really gotten enough credit as an organ player from folks who aren't hardcore ABB fans. We all know how great he is, but I doubt if others or the casual listener "get" his playing. He's not known as a soloist, so I think the way he adds to the sound is sometimes ignored with all the guitar playing going on. If you listen back to the early days and through '74-'75, when they would get "spacey" in the jams, his selection of voicings both on the B-3 and in his chord choices is every bit as much a part of the mood as whatever else was going on. In fact, maybe being a "mood" enhancer is the best way to describe him. In fact, I wish I could just park a chair onstage right behind his Leslie for a show.
ReplyDeleteHey Butch, It's election time. Let's stir the pot with some of your views on the issues.Some may not agree with you but I for one would like to read your thoughts.Joe D
ReplyDeleteButch has fell off the face of the earth.
ReplyDeleteNot so much that as shot himself in the head in front of his wife and kid. Not a very nice or enlightened thing to do at all.
DeleteClearly that's what I refer to a stunning article! Do you use this domain for your personal purposes exclusively or you actually exploit it as an additional source of income?
ReplyDeleteNo controversy or name calling here--just a note to tell you that I attended my first ABB Beacon Theater Concert on Friday March 1. I so enjoyed meeting you and talking about "Love Valley" back in the 70's. What a great concert, everyone sounded great and it was a magical night for me...thank you for adding something a little special to a fantastic night of music.
ReplyDeleteIts interesting that Trey Anastacio is going to be at Wanee this year. When I heard that Derek and Warren were leaving the band, one of my first thoughts was that the band could be better if the two guitars were replaced with Trey and Page McConnel, a piano player. The present ABB has become too guitar-centric. Trey is a good guitarist who plays in a band, Phish, that has no good songs. He could play great songs if he did a year with the ABB, and fans would get a break from too many gratuitous, generic guitar solos. Derek is my favorite guitarist, but Derek and Warren together are too much.
ReplyDeleteToo guitar-centric? Not sure who sold you what kinda dope, but that is funny. The Allman Brothers Band has always been known as a twin guitar oriented band.
DeleteAt least you are probably glad Warren and Derek don't play together anymore.