The Allman Brothers Band's Tragic Real-Life History

In 2017, 46 years after Duane Allman's untimely death, the 69-year-old Gregg joined his brother in passing from this world.

Allman lasted far longer than anyone who lived that hard had any right to, but starting in 2007 his lifestyle began to take its toll. That year he contracted Hepatitis C — apparently from a dirty tattoo needle — and needed a liver transplant. He also started experiencing an irregular heartbeat that forced him to go both vegan and gluten-free. Then, at some point in the past couple years, he developed liver cancer. In 2016, he started postponing, then outright canceling, shows and cited various reasons for doing so. Most likely, however, it was the cancer doing a number on him.

In May of 2017, he succumbed to that cancer, dying in his Savannah, Georgia home. Even though his life was crazed, turbulent, and often tragic, Allman likely had no regrets. Like he said in My Cross To Bear, "If I died today, I've had me a blast. I wouldn't trade [my life] for nobody's." What's more, he also wrote, "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.'"

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