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

What A Fun Ride This Is!!

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

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.

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Cross to Bear?

The Foot Shooting Party. That was unbelievably hilarious.

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

Will Patton became Gregg Allman.

A story of more than the fame...

If you could sum up My Cross to Bear in three words, what would they be?

Honest. Intriguing. Soulful.

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Cross to Bear?

Gregory's long struggle with addiction.

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

I would have loved to hear Gregory Allman read this book, but Will Patton was a great choice.

Raw and Honest

Where does My Cross to Bear rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Loved his story in his words, honest, raw, funny and sad. Would actually love to know more!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Gregg Allman of course!

Any additional comments?

Normally don't listen to autobiographies, but like his music and said why not... was not disappointed. Amazed at his beginnings - and what it took to get where he is today. He was very honest about highs and lows of his life and the effect his brother's death has had on him even to this day.

One of my all time favorites!

Completely incredible.
You can really feel Greggs wit/personality with every word.
What an amazing ride! Every hilltop, every valley. And he loved us enough to not only share his music, but, with this book, his life.
Thank you Mr. Allman.

So good!

If you are an ABB fan you will love it. So many great stories. Gregg is honest and you can tell he was faithful to his version of events. Narration was perfection.

wow

Will Patton was the absolute best to read this book. Tears in my eyes.

Insightful!

Interesting to hear the story from Greg's perspective. Narration was very good. I learned quite a bit. Great listen. I reccomend this to any Allman Brothers fan.

Real inside look

Enjoy the book it was a very candid turtle live inside. Look at the life of Greg on his way from the Allman Brothers. I did not like the narrator’s voice.

COUNTRY CREEP BECOMES COUNTRY GENT.

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

YES

What other book might you compare My Cross to Bear to and why?

ERIC CLAPTONS BOOK *CLAPTON*

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

I DON'T BELIEVE I HAVE.

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

WELL I'D HAVE TO SAY .ALOT OF TRAGETY IN THAT BOYS LIFE, AND OH, WHAT A WASTE.

Any additional comments?

I HAD THE OPPERTUNITY TO MEET AND SPEND VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WITH HIM IN 86', SADLY, HE WAS VERY DISCONNECTED.

Best Rock Memoir Yet!!

I’ve read at least 10 rock/music autobiographies and this one is by far the best. Never was a big fan of Allman Brothers, other than their hit songs played on the radio. I am a fan now. Only wish I could have seen the band back in the day. I highly recommend this book.