My Cross to Bear

By: Gregg Allman, Alan Light

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 10 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

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

Great Story of a Music Icon

This is a very interesting biography. Greg Allman's life story is a very compelling read. I highly recommend it.

What a life

I was a big fan in my youth And after Greg's story bigger fan now. No life is perfect but the perfection that he was allowed he delivered and the story was amazingly told By will Patton .

Heartfelt

The good, the bad and the ugly. Real life at its toughest! The story and the narrator kept me very interested.

A great listen of the life of a great man.

I really enjoyed hearing about the life and times of The Allman Brothers Band from Greg. An excellent listen of the history of the band and the music industry in general. From the beginnings in Muscle Shoals, to making it, the crash, the struggles with drugs, then to success and helping Carter to his presidency, several marriages, including one to Cher. The break ups, the reunions up to present day and the rock and roll hall of fame. A really enjoyable listen for anyone who loves classic rock, The Allmans or hearing about the music industry in the late sixties to present day.

Terrific on all counts

Would you consider the audio edition of My Cross to Bear to be better than the print version?

What a great read. While it's not at all necessary to have Iived through the eras, the music and the sidebars as an observer, it made it even more of a ride. Recommended to all and especially aspiring musicians as there is solid insight into Gregory's creative process.

Who was your favorite character and why?

No one could compare to Gregg.

What does Will Patton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Will Patton is Gregg Allman...can't imagine a better interpretation nor would I invite one.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

While he's no angel, it's great to hear his side

Greg Allman: My/Our Cross To Bear

I loved the book but hated the language. I know it was the way Greg spoke using a lot of profanity. I’m glad he finally found peace and understood what really matters in life.

Great

I read the hard cover when it came out 2012. I bought 4 copies of this book. I gave 2 away and keep one in both of my homes. The narration is perfect makes you feel like Gregg Allman is speaking, to you personally.

Great story, perfect pick for narrator

Would you listen to My Cross to Bear again? Why?

the narrator was a great pick for this book, I would listen to it again as it was very entertaining.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Gregg Allman

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

will patton is my favorite narrator, i sometimes pick books just because of his narration.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

made me laugh but nothing extreme

Any additional comments?

no

honest and to the point

big Allman fan one of the best autobiographies I've listened to highly recommend excellent narration

Sad, But Uplifting. Disapointing, But Triumphant

I have been a fan of his music for most of my life. But I had a real mix of emotions about his life story. I could not stop listening to this book. No matter what you think you knew about this man, you will better understand him. Who he was, and who he became on his journey. An honest and well written tell all. As for the narration. I think Will Patton was the only one who could pull it off.