Audie Award Nominee, Biography and Memoir, 2013
As one of the greatest rock icons of all time, Gregg Allman has lived it all and then some. For almost 50 years, he's been creating some of the most recognizable songs in American rock, but never before has he paused to reflect on the long road he's traveled. Now, he tells the unflinching story of his life, laying bare the unvarnished truth about his wild ride that has spanned across the years.
The story begins simply: with Gregg and his older brother, Duane, growing up in the South, raising hell with their guitars, and drifting from one band to another. But all that changed when Duane and Gregg came together with four other men to forge something new - a unique sound shaped by soul, rock, and blues and brimming with experimentation; a sound not just of a band, but of a family.
Bringing to life the carefree early days of the Allman Brothers Band, Gregg holds nothing back - from run-ins with the law to meeting girls on the road, from jamming at the Fillmore East to experimenting with drugs. Along the way, he goes behind the scenes of some of greatest rock music ever recorded, without shying away from the infamous and painful deaths of his brother, Duane, and Allman Brothers bassist Berry Oakley. Speaking for the first time about the profound impact that his brother's death had on him, Gregg offers a tribute to Duane that only a younger brother could write, showing how, to this day, he still confronts the grief of losing his big brother, even as Duane continues to guide and inspire him.
Setting the record straight about the band's struggles in the face of death, Gregg shows how the decision to persevere came with a heavy price. While the rock-and-roll excesses of drugs, alcohol, and personality clashes led to a series of breakups that culminated with the band's permanent reunion in 1989, Gregg fought his own battle with substance abuse, going to rehab no less than 11 times and floating through a string of failed marriages, including his tabloid-frenzied relationship with Cher, before finally cleaning up once and for all.
Capturing the Allman Brothers' ongoing, triumphant resurgence as well as his own recent fight against hepatitis C, Gregg presents a story as honest as it is fascinating, providing a glimpse inside one of the most beloved and notorious bands in the history of rock music and demonstrating how, through it all, the road goes on forever.
©2012 Gregg Allman (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers
"my cross to bear was awesome"
yes it was great to hear. i only wish gregg himself had done the the narration.
nothing else compares except the phil lesh book on tape...
all of it. heart warming stories.
when gregg talked about duane and his last conversation with him.
this is a must listen. i sat glued to it for 5 hours. the next 5hours was even better.the best 10 hours spent in my life so far.
"SO great!"
If you are any kind of ABB fan you will love this book and the history. I loved everything about it and felt like I was right there with him.
"One of the best bios I have read in a LONG time"
Didnt read the print version but the reader on the audio version was amazing - sounded just like what I image Mr. Allman to sound like.
All of it
Felt like I was in the moment and there in the story
YES
Didnt exepct much out of this book but it is hands down one of the best I have "read" this year! Amazing story and history!!
"Enlightening and entertaining!"
Absolutely would recommend this to anyone who wants to know more about Gregg Allman. My spouse knew some of the folks with the Allman Brothers band and knew most of this history. He was curious how much Gregg would put out there and in my spouse's opinion, Gregg really put it ALL out there.
I shared listening to this with my husband and we enjoyed just talking about the book together. It's just funny and sad and all those things that happen in a real person's life.
No, but he did a great job with this reading and sounded very similar to Gregg.
When he talks about his attempts to reconcile with his children and does so honestly and sometimes it is heartbreaking - but real.
"What a story!!"
Being from the south, who doesn't love The ABB. What a life this guy has lead. I am fascinated he is still alive today. Good for him and his family, I hope he lives a long life and continues to write songs. I would love to hear Dickey Betts side of the story. Will Patton is on his A game as usual.
"Pleasantly Surprised!"
I was born in 1970, but didn't really find music until the 80's with punk and hair bands, so i wasn't much into the Allman Brothers. I knew a few of their songs, but it was Van Halen and ZZ Top for me back then..
After reading reviews, I was intrigued and gave it a shot. I'm glad I did! This is a super interesting book and gives a real insight to what the music scene was all about back in the 60's and 70's...
I had no idea of the accomplishments of Gregg Allman. There are some really funny stories and all of them are extremely interesting.
You don't need to know much about the Allman Brothers Band to enjoy this book.
As for the narration... Will Patton is one of my very favorite narrators (as well as a great actor). He was the perfect choice for this one.
He really put the soul of Gregg Allman into his narration.
"What A Fun Ride This Is!!"
A life that I would not want to live. But I sure enjoyed reading someone who actually did live this life. Thanks Gregg for the devotion and dedication it takes to tell your life's story. This story explains the cross that great musicians have to bear to write the lyrics and really live the blues.
The Foot Shooting Party. That was unbelievably hilarious.
Will Patton became Gregg Allman.
"Quite the saga by Gregg Allman"
If you think you know The Allman Brothers from their music, wait there's more in store, way more. Take the opportunity to listen to My Cross to Bear. You will learn about the amazing journey of Gregg Allman. How hardy he is, what he's been through and what he's learned about life, music and surviving.
Its quite the revelation. I can better appreciate his music now. Thanks Gregg for all the lessons you teach us.
"Enjoyed this book"
Yes, I truly enjoyed this book and it was special to have Will Patton read it.
Mr. Allman seemed to have 'many' lives and is truly a survivor.
Mr. Allman's book (I hope) will be turned into a movie. It has the perfect receipe for a very good movie.
The last chapter, his last words, he said he wouldn't live this life over again. Nor would he change anything in his life. Taking responsiblity for one's own actions is truly noble and honest.
"Great story, perfect pick for narrator"
the narrator was a great pick for this book, I would listen to it again as it was very entertaining.
Gregg Allman
will patton is my favorite narrator, i sometimes pick books just because of his narration.
made me laugh but nothing extreme
no