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Allman Brothers Band’s ‘At Fillmore East’: Greatest Live Rock Album Ever?

Recorded live at the Fillmore East in NYC, ‘At Fillmore East’ captured the Allman Brothers at the peak of their powers.

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The Allman Brothers Band, one of the great southern rock bands

“OK, the Allman Brothers Band,” was the simple introduction for the band on Friday, March 12, 1971, at the Fillmore East in New York’s East Village. Duane’s slide guitar sets off and the sound of Blind Willie McTell’s “Statesboro Blues” begins what is arguably the greatest live album in rock.

At Fillmore East was originally a double LP, recorded over both the Friday and Saturday night’s shows and captured the Allman Brothers at the peak of their powers. It was the band’s third release in three years and immediately proved successful, making No. 13 on the Billboard charts in July of ‘71, staying on the bestsellers list for almost a year.

Listen to At Fillmore East on Apple Music and Spotify.

Side one of the record was very much a blues work out as they follow “Statesboro Blues” with Elmore James’s “Done Somebody Wrong” and finish with T-Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday” – their version is one of the most interesting and non-derivative of this often recorded number.

Yet this first side gives little indication of what the remainder of the album is to be like. This is everything that is great about Southern rock, there’s jazz and even some Latin influences thrown in for good measure. Side 2 of the first LP is a cover of Willie Cobb’s “You Don’t Love Me,” originally cut in 1960 for Mojo Records in Memphis and covered by a host of artists including Quicksilver Messenger Service and Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper and Stephen Stills on their 1968 Super Session album.

“Hot Lanta” is a group work out based around guitarist Dicky Betts’ riff and it showcases Gregg Allman’s Hammond B3 as well as both Betts and Duane’s guitars. The second track, “In Memory Of Elizabeth Read,” which Betts wrote for the band’s second album Idlewild South, begins with Betts’s guitar and he’s joined by Duane as they double the melody line creating what is such a trademark sound. As the number picks up it goes from jazz, with shades of John Coltrane and Miles Davis, to something akin to a Santana jam, but one always steeped in Southern rock image.

The Allman Brothers Band - Whipping Post - 9/23/1970 - Fillmore East (Official)

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The last side of the LP is just one number, the monumental “Whipping Post,” written by Gregg Allman. Originally a five-minute song from the band’s debut album, it’s lengthened here to over 23 minutes and it is immense. Driven along by the drumming of Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson and Butch Trucks, this is what Southern rock is all about. Listen to it loud and you will be exhausted from the experience, nothing else recorded from this era of rock comes close to competing.

Various CD reissues have included additional tracks recorded over the two nights but it is the original album that is testament to the Allmans’ greatness. It is a perfect album in every way…the greatest live rock album.

Epitaph: Tragically, just over seven months after the album was recorded, Duane Allman was killed while riding his motorcycle. Aside from his recordings with the Allman Brothers, he of course worked with Eric Clapton on Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, helping to create the magic of the title song. Bizarrely, Barry Oakley, the bass player on the Fillmore album also died in a motorcycle accident, a year after Duane’s death.

At Fillmore East can be bought here.

108 Comments

108 Comments

  1. William (Bill) Canada

    May 17, 2014 at 9:52 am

    Truly, the Greatest Live Blues Rock Album ever. This Masterpiece forged my musical personality. There are other excellent live rock, jazz and, even pop, performers but for me this is the definitive live guitar album at the peak of the 60s and 70s period which has yet to be undone.

    • Robert M. Cadieux

      March 13, 2015 at 7:14 pm

      Band of Gypsy’s. New Years Eve ’69!!! Don’t Even???
      Memory Of!…..Hot L’Anta!!…You Don’t Love Me!….
      Man!!! THAT’S SMOKIN!!!……..Time Machine?

      • slk

        July 6, 2015 at 8:21 pm

        had tickets for the hendrix concert, but my girlfriend was sick, so i stayed with her!!! only to find out, she wasn’t sick, and was testing “my love”!!! never spoke to her again!!!

        • Rob Miller

          July 7, 2015 at 6:04 pm

          Brilliant story!! 🙂

      • Chuck

        July 10, 2015 at 2:44 am

        Jimi’s intro riff on Machine Gun alone makes this a good argument…

    • Kerry Wells

      July 8, 2015 at 7:13 pm

      My vote for Best live is Joe Cocker Live. “Shelter Me”, “She came in through..”, “It’s High Time We Left”, on and on.

    • Chris I

      January 12, 2019 at 10:28 am

      As for myself,Whipping Post wins the greatest individual track. My second favourite Live Album is Neil Young Crazy Horse “Live Rust”

  2. John Shelley

    June 26, 2014 at 10:01 pm

    The best then, still the best

  3. Mark

    June 28, 2014 at 11:18 pm

    The only others in contention are “Live at Leeds” and “Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out”, both from approximately the same time!! Thanks,

    • jgg

      March 1, 2018 at 5:53 am

      Don’t forget Bless It’s Pointed Little Head …

  4. Scott

    August 25, 2014 at 7:40 pm

    The only thing wrong is the PBR tall boys are not in the picture. Great LP!

    • T-Tom76

      July 7, 2015 at 8:04 am

      I’m pretty sure the photo with the PBR Tall Boys was of the roadies with the equipment behind them as well.

  5. bill w

    September 21, 2014 at 12:52 am

    duanne allman brilliant slide guitar just beats jessie ed davis would have a magic twosome

  6. Mark

    March 13, 2015 at 1:32 pm

    Still one of the best live Albums you’ll ever hear’

  7. Artie barnett

    March 13, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    It’s hard to pick a best track and through the years mine has changed. My current favorite is “You Don’t Love Me”

    Always loved Duanne finishing with a Joy to the World riff.

  8. Danny P

    March 13, 2015 at 1:34 pm

    I saw them 4 weeks before this ras recorded at a dress rehearsal in the auditorium in Fayetteville, NC. It was my first concert and changed my 16 year old life forever! Long live the music!

  9. Peter

    March 13, 2015 at 1:43 pm

    The best live album ever … nearby Deep Purple Made in Japan, Ten Years After Live Record, The Who Live at Leeds, and for me Colosseum Live with one of the best song ever: Lost Angeles!!

    Rock on

    • William

      March 13, 2015 at 5:00 pm

      I had no chance to see the ABB at that time since i was living in Belgium Europe. I saw them later on in the Brothers and sisters version. But i saw Colosseum, the original line up with the great late Dick Heckstall Smith on the sax. Way back in 1970….. As Bob Weir said…. “the music never stopped”.

    • emilemil

      April 20, 2015 at 1:56 pm

      … the best ever .. well, this depends on one´s tastes …. one of the few best ever, I ´d put it that way … nonetheless, this was the era of SOME guitar players .. many of them gone now, though … Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, Mike Bloomfield …. to mention just few of them …

  10. Mark Alexander

    March 13, 2015 at 1:51 pm

    The first great live rock album, and noboby has come close, since.

  11. Jeffrey S Weaver

    March 13, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    For me I always love to hear “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”

    • Robert

      March 13, 2015 at 6:23 pm

      I was stunned at the beauty of “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”. They played Wollman Skating rink in NYC, I forget what year. Great shows!!!!!! IMOER, on this album, still best live instrumental I have ever heard.

    • Blueagave

      March 14, 2015 at 12:03 am

      In Memory of ER” has all the qualities of one of the Top 10 songs in RR history. It’s on my list.

  12. Eberhard Grenz

    March 13, 2015 at 2:23 pm

    The whole album is fantastic. It is difficult to decide but my favourite song is You don’t love me.

  13. Raymond

    March 13, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    In Memory of Elizabeth Reed is by far my favorite. I started listening to this on vinyl wen I was 12. I listen to it still regularly. Never disappoints. Always soothing to the soul. Thanx

  14. jeff powell

    March 13, 2015 at 2:49 pm

    One of the best, if not the best Live Blues Album ever made. Best track has to be “Stormy Monday”

  15. John Beard

    March 13, 2015 at 2:53 pm

    Statesboro Blues – best track.

    • Jim

      March 14, 2015 at 2:25 pm

      Stateside Blues is my choice as well. Too bad “One Way Out” had to be released later. It too is perfect slide & vocals.

  16. Daithi

    March 13, 2015 at 3:01 pm

    The original bass player’s name was Berry Oakley – not Barry.
    Otherwise, this is a great intro to the BEST live album ever.

  17. Mark Golde

    March 13, 2015 at 3:04 pm

    From the moment I first heard “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” on this album it has been my favorite. Forty-four years later and nothing has come close to matching it. I think it is simply the best live recording from the best live album by the best live band ever.

  18. Paul

    March 13, 2015 at 3:31 pm

    I saw my first outdoor Allman Bros show a Watkins Glen in 73 and I saw 2 shows in 2014, and the music, late 60’s early 70’s, still sounded so sweet. My fav from the best live album ever is Dickey’s “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”. I have collected as many Allman Bros instrumentals as I can find. Why has no one ever packaged that other than with internet lists? I’ll be at Wanee in April 2015.

  19. Craig

    March 13, 2015 at 5:16 pm

    This is a trophy LP. I will pull it out again this weekend and crank up the volume.

  20. Marshall Craig

    March 13, 2015 at 5:29 pm

    in Memory of Elizabeth Reed!!!! Beautiful instrumentals…

  21. Nancy

    March 13, 2015 at 5:45 pm

    In Memory of Elizabeth Reed!!! To this day it remains my favorite!

  22. James

    March 13, 2015 at 6:08 pm

    THE live album, there is no equal. I’ve never heard a better version of Stormy Monday.

  23. dave callahan

    March 13, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    after all these years back when I learned to play no two albums gave me more of my chops than live at the filmore and Layla. still make the hair stand up on my neck when I hear them

  24. Ken

    March 13, 2015 at 6:47 pm

    I was lucky enough to catch the ABB as the opening act to the Grateful Dead at the Fillmore East and was immediately a forever fan. On top of this, I was at the last show at the Fillmore where the live album was recorded. The show started around midnight and when we left, it was 4:00 am and daylight. For me, Elizabeth Reed is the best song they did.

    • Michael J. Morgan

      July 7, 2015 at 4:58 pm

      Hello, Ken,

      Just a shot in the dark…I went to SUC at Oswego, NY, in ’71-72. There was a guy named Kenny there at the time who was a HUGE ABB fan. He claimed to be the guy who screams “Ya-HOO!” during the leads of “You Don’t Love Me” on the Fillmore Album. I lived in Waterbury Hall at Oswego at the time, and I think this Kenny did, too. I think he was from Long Island. Are you that Ken? Peace, Brother. Remember Duane Allman!

  25. David

    March 13, 2015 at 9:01 pm

    In Memory of Elizabeth Reed is my favorite. I’ve been listening to this tune for over forty years, and it never gets old.

  26. Cliff allman

    March 13, 2015 at 9:06 pm

    In Memory of Elizabeth Reed has always been my favorite track from this album and no U am not related to the brothers as for as I know, U was born in Palatka Florida my grandfather’s name was King Allman in Osteen

  27. D'dub

    March 13, 2015 at 9:12 pm

    They were ALL GREAT, but “In memory in Elizabeth Reed” is my choice!

  28. Michael Bridges

    March 13, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    NEVER EVER been an album with the passion they played with! Listening to Bett’s solos in the extended Whipping Post still gives me chills all these years later. Literally this album is the reason I became a musician. Love every ct, personal favorite “Stormy Monday” by a slim margin!

  29. John Bologna

    March 13, 2015 at 10:13 pm

    It has no competition. I’ve seen “Live at Leeds” praised, “Frampton Comes Alive” voted the best live album, loved “Band of Gypsies”, but this album (get the double-CD with “One Way Out” and “Drunken Hearted Boy”) was simply the most together blues-rock session ever committed to tape! The synergy of this band was without parallel!

  30. Richard Wagner

    March 13, 2015 at 10:42 pm

    My favorite live album, of all time. However, I would offer one caveat. Every album by every artist will have a flawed song on any album. I would argue that “Whipping Post was a blemish on a great album. Whipping Post was too long and tedious, and not very original or clever lyrics. Rather dull.

  31. Richard Cosmillo

    March 13, 2015 at 10:44 pm

    At Fillmore East is without a Doubt the “Greatest” Live set ever in the blues/jazz/rock genre they created. No band anywhere can hold a candle to the ABB as a solo expansive instrumental group. In 1971 the folks at these concerts were so fortunate to be graced with music they never heard before. Bill Graham said it best,” in all my life doing concerts, I never heard the type of music this group plays….the finest contemporary music, we will now ralle it off with the best of them all….the Allman Brothers Band….and he meant it!.

  32. Dan Jumper

    March 13, 2015 at 11:10 pm

    I was born in 1964, the youngest of 6 kids. My oldest brother,8 years my senior, bought this album when it came out. I literally grew up listening to this album and still can’t hear it too much. I still might be the only 10 year old kid to ever call a radio station and request Midnight Rider.

  33. Brooks Yeager

    March 13, 2015 at 11:46 pm

    Well, the Allman Brothers were a truly great band, so, I’m conditionally ready to buy that their album was the ‘best live rock album of all time.” But I think you have to be careful of absolute declarations in a field like the: Better than the best Stones’ live concerts? Better than the Grateful Dead at Hartford in the 80’s? Better that Jimi Hendrix at Monterey? I dunno, to quote Mark Knopfler. That’s a lot to take on….

  34. Bill Brown

    March 14, 2015 at 12:04 am

    I cannot believe that your write up mentioned Hot Lanta, but didn’t say one word about the incredible bass playing of Berry (not Barry) Oakley, one of the best bass players ever.

  35. Funkmaster5000

    March 14, 2015 at 12:15 am

    Also… Humble Pie, Performance Rockin’ The Fillmore; The Who Live At Leeds; and Monterey International Pop Festival Otis Redding/The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

  36. Pattieb616

    March 14, 2015 at 12:22 am

    the ABB was soo tight, no one held a candle to them

  37. Michael powers

    March 14, 2015 at 12:28 am

    iconic cover photo by the great Jim Marshall; Littlefeat’s Waiting for Columbus is the greatest live album ever with this a close second. Saw Duane and the boys half a dozen times, last May 1971; greatest was at the Atlanta Pop Festival Thursday night at the free stage; Duane jamming with B B King and Johnny Winter for about two hours; other worldly!!!

    • Rodger Bell

      March 14, 2015 at 2:01 am

      I tend to agree, Michael, that at the very least, the two albums are the best two live albums in the genre. If I absolutely had to pick one over the other, I’d go with both. See what I did there?

  38. Vince Black

    March 14, 2015 at 12:30 am

    My top four Live albums-Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys, Allman Brothers Live at Fillmore, The Who Live at Leeds and Humble Pie at the Fillmore…

  39. Jackson McCaleb

    March 14, 2015 at 12:55 am

    I was very young (I’m 56 now) when the album came out but my sisters and cousins listened to it over and over. I remember the overpowering guitar licks, the passion, and power of this album that I felt then to this day. It literally moved me. I was not familiar with the Allman Brothers at that time, but it made me a fan for life. When I could, I eventually collected everything of theirs, and especially anything of Duane Allman. My favorite on the Fillmore album was without a doubt Whipping Post. Also, to this day, my favorite blues song of all time is a little known single by Duane Allman & Boz Scaggs titled Loan Me a Dime. Anyone else remember that one?

    • Jeff Lange

      March 14, 2015 at 1:32 am

      Loan me a dime IS one of the best blues find ever! In the same league as The thrill it’s fine by BB King.

    • Debbie Anderson

      March 14, 2015 at 3:36 am

      I was also, fairly young. {I am 57 now} My very favorites then and now are Stormy Monday, {Fillmore Live Double Album}, One Way Out, {from the “Eat a Peach” Double Album} and oh yeah, Duane Allman & Boz Scaggs, Loan Me a Dime, {Duane Allman Anthology Album}. That is music you don’t just hear, you feel it! Awesome then, Awesome now! I remember how sad I was back then to hear of Duane’s passing. But he will always be here in his music and I have the greatest memories of that time in my life! So Thank You to all of the Allman Brothers!

  40. Dennis

    March 14, 2015 at 1:25 am

    i grew up right outside Macon and saw the Brothers on numerous occasions, they also jammed at a place in the country in my hometown of Cochran. They played with Boyer & Talton, known as Cowboy. I had a picture of them playing in the front yard at “cowboy house ” or sometimes called the shack. Great memories

  41. Namcy Chester

    March 14, 2015 at 1:47 am

    Best ever! I’ve listened to it thousands of times, I know every note, and it never gets old. I was so blessed to see them in concert before Duane died, and two more times after that. My first concert was Cream, at the Forum. I am now 62 years old and to this day, little can compare with the indescribable high I felt back then. ‘Back in the day’

  42. Allan

    March 14, 2015 at 1:49 am

    I discovered this album in 1972,when I was 15, but by that time, Duane and Berry were gone, which took the soul from the band -at least for awhile. I listened to this non-stop, You Don’t Love Me was my favorite. I definitely put it top five with Leeds, Columbus, Gypsies, but I would never place any of those above Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! Although the album is short, the guitar interplay there is easily as good. Not really comparable though, Ya-Ya’s has a rougher edge….no jazz influences there!

  43. Jack mcniff

    March 14, 2015 at 2:27 am

    Ever since I first heard this album I have always thought this was the greatest concert album ever. This was my first introduction to the allman brothers. Needless to say I was hooked. This is better than Woodstock album. My favorite song in whipping post.

  44. Mike Etter

    March 14, 2015 at 2:28 am

    I have been listening to this album and the band since the beginning of time. In Memory Of Elizabeth Read is perhaps the best live instrumental song ever made. I played a lot of football and basketball and before my games I would put my shoes in the middle of my stereo room crank the sound up on my old Polk Audios and get ready with this song.Love the band still ,have seen them perhaps 15 times as have my four children.

  45. Frank

    March 14, 2015 at 2:36 am

    I agree that this album was awesome but for me Live at Ludlow is my first choice. The song selection on that album contained more of their iconic ones..both are awesome and must haves along with The Atlanta festival double disk…..

  46. Jake Walker

    March 14, 2015 at 3:15 am

    Berry Oakley, not Barry Oakley.

  47. mark

    March 14, 2015 at 5:36 am

    EAT A PEACH!!!

  48. Marc

    March 14, 2015 at 10:36 am

    I really didn’t know that much about this album until later. But I was so incredibly fortunate to get to see them live at the Atlanta Municipal Coliseum. They just finished the road trip that this was recorded on. My first concert and they were amazing. I’ve read that it was one of their best. It’s set a very high standard.

  49. john

    March 14, 2015 at 11:16 am

    I rember listening to this on my Uncles turntable at 10 years old.Gave me my first taste of Jazz doused in blues….Some say I have great taste and a good ear. I owe to this album and Jeff Beck live with Jan Hammer

  50. Steve borchers

    March 14, 2015 at 11:50 am

    I listen to the beauty of this album often. For many of us our age, nothing rivals. So many of the greatest musical talents died early. Terry Kath of Chicago was another. When he died, Chicago went pop and iost it rock side forever.

  51. Kees Blom

    March 14, 2015 at 12:04 pm

    My all-time favorite.

  52. Dave

    March 14, 2015 at 12:19 pm

    “Done Somebody Wrong” greatest blues song ever performed
    “Memory of Elizabeth Reed” greatest song ever written
    .

  53. Paul

    March 14, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    I saw them live at Magic Mountain in 70’s and it remains the best concert I ever saw. I played Elizabeth Reed” so many times that I memorized every note and bend of every guitar lead. Long Live the Allman Brothers Band.

  54. Terry

    March 14, 2015 at 2:39 pm

    I have to put Jimi Hendrix & Otis Redding at the Monterey Pop Festival right up there. I also dig Uriah Heep Live and Thin Lizzy Live and Dangerous. Which is the best? What ever I say will change tomorrow based on my mood that day. That’s the great thing about great music.

  55. Steve

    March 14, 2015 at 3:04 pm

    Truly a great album. I have it and never get sick of listening to it

  56. richard lapointe

    March 14, 2015 at 6:30 pm

    for 30 + years i have been doing home projects and pretty much the Only thing i listen to is allman bros. i like beatles, stones. ronstadt and others but to be Doing something it has to be these guys. (only problem is sometimes stopping work too often and just sit and listen!)

  57. William Donelson

    March 14, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    Astounding. Life-affirming. Magical. Powerful. Wonderful. Like No Other, Ever.

  58. Patrick Minnick

    March 14, 2015 at 9:20 pm

    The best???? One LP is the best? As Jeff Beck said: “this ain’t football. Nobody comes in first.”

    The Allman’s live LP was killer. It holds up great. A lot of live records do, and they are in many collections and hopefully in alphabetic order.

  59. John T.

    March 14, 2015 at 11:22 pm

    I purchased this album when it first came out. After listening to it just once, it completely changed my appreciation forever. I still consider it my favourite album of all time, although my radio station never changes from the jazz station KPLU in Seattle.

  60. Jim Piper

    March 15, 2015 at 2:00 pm

    In Memory of Elizabeth Reed is my favorite with Whipping Post a close 2nd. I wore out the LP and two CDs and in bad need of another one. I love this album

  61. Writeman

    March 16, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    Stuck on a desert island with a solar powered iPod and only one albulm to which you can listen? Allman Brothers at the Filmore East. No question.

    • Nancy

      July 7, 2015 at 9:02 am

      Perfectly said; absolutely the best description of how great this album is!!!

  62. doc

    March 17, 2015 at 1:48 am

    Hot tuna- double dose
    GD- skull and roses and…
    The entire history of our
    Beloved favorites no matter who they were…
    Janis, Fogarty, Carlos, Lennon, Clapton, DYLAN,
    Stevie Ray, Stones, Hendrix….

  63. George

    March 17, 2015 at 4:41 pm

    There is footage of the Fillmore East concert (in color!!!) on YouTube; finding it was a dream come true.
    I saw ABB in Philadelphia in 1971. During the pause in the middle of Whipping Post, where Duane slowly plays alone, 15,000 people were struck silent. A few minutes later, we were on our feet, responding to musical fury in 6/8 time. Unforgettable.

  64. tom

    April 7, 2015 at 3:07 pm

    73 0r 74 new year eve, horse palace, san francisco, calif, with marshal tucker band, charlie danials, gerry garceia came on 12 am solo fest with dickey beths and the band, was their, 1st year bill grahm didn’t book the dead so jerry showed up to play!

  65. Till

    July 6, 2015 at 3:56 pm

    Wore out the LP, 8 track and cassette. CD still going strong.

  66. mike

    July 6, 2015 at 4:40 pm

    2 guitar chords all musicians have in their heads who grew up playing in the 60/70s-first chord of “Help”, and the 3 Cmaj7 chords pre starting Elizabeth Reed tune.Like in our DNA.Mona Lisa of rock and roll.

  67. Tonto

    July 6, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    I heard that Greeg Allman farted audibly on the first night but it was erased in the final mix.

  68. Steve

    July 6, 2015 at 5:21 pm

    It drives me crazy when you guys don’t know what you are talking about. The Allmans typically started with three or 4 blues tunes, but there wasn’t set that included all three of the songs on the original album together (of course this info is readily available on the internet.)

    Your comments on Stormy Monday are also off base… the guitar work is clearly closely taken from Wayne Bennet’s work on Bobby Bland’s version of Stormy Monday (Duane listened to many blues guitarists!).

    Still, you are correct that this is still one of the greatest live rock albums of all time!

  69. Reymond Wilson

    July 6, 2015 at 5:29 pm

    My older brother gave it to me when I was 14.
    It and Grateful Dead Europe 72 (best LP ever) made me learn guitar.
    I forced my friend Mitch to learn sheet music from my hand-copy to make a cassette recording of Elizabeth Reed on my Gibson ES-355 and his Les Paul Custom.
    I love doing Whipping Post solo on my Gibson B-25 twelve string.

  70. Greg Whitehead

    July 6, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    No album will ever ever ever top this album as the best all around album ever. I learned how to play bass, keyboards, and guitar listening to this album. It will forever hold a place in my heart.

  71. Dave Fairall

    July 6, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    This is truly a great live album, but to say there are elements of jazz is a stretch. The Allman Brothers were deeply steeped in blues influences, but extended improvisational format notwithstanding, there is little harmonic complexity that characterizes jazz or jazz fusion. I grew up with this recording, and it certainly inspired those of us who went on to pursue jazz studies, but it’s not jazz.

  72. John Henfrey

    July 6, 2015 at 9:00 pm

    Allman brothers, Live At The Fillmore East.
    Rory Gallagher, Irish Tour 74′
    Thin Lizzy Live And Dangerous
    Jimi Hendrix Band Of Gypsies
    Love all of them, I can’t honestly say one is better than the other.

    • Frank Clarke

      July 6, 2015 at 11:00 pm

      Totally agree, why not enjoy them all. One of my favourites is Irish Tour 74 Rory Gallagher.

  73. Rodney Page

    July 6, 2015 at 9:10 pm

    Saw them, Jammed with them and played. Met them before Allman Brothers as The Allman Joys. They played a simple pop festival in a place called Love Valley near Statesville , NC in 70. Lots of booze, weed and a little of everything else for two days.They got big and I went on my way. Saw them at the Charlotte coliseum and another small venue at the Park Center in Charlotte. After that never saw them in person again but have been to a lot of their shows. Derek is getting as good as Duane if not better. My two cents and 15 of glory!

  74. smitty183

    July 7, 2015 at 12:00 am

    My brother asked me if I wanted to go see the allman bros at the west side women s club in Jax fl. I asked him why would I want to seee the osmonds! He laughed and got to see them with about 100 others , Opening act was the one percent who later turned into Lynyrd Skynyrd Never forget Duane’s playing in the open air! What was wild it cost 25 cents to get in

  75. John P

    July 7, 2015 at 4:48 pm

    This album sounds as fresh and powerful as it did the day it was released. So many albums with extensive instrumental solos from that day sound cliched. There isn’t a false or pretentious note in that entire performance. Pure magic!

  76. Don

    July 7, 2015 at 9:48 pm

    How about a young high school guitarist, G. E. Smith covering Whipping Post and other ABB songs in 1969 with a band called The Rubber Chicken in Northeastern PA. The live album should definitely make anyone’s top 3 all time live concert recording list.

  77. Thomas Whalen

    July 8, 2015 at 8:34 am

    was fortunate to see the Rolling Stones at a 400 seat nightclub in Worcester, MA, of all places. The club was called Sir Morgans Cove, and the Stones appearance was UNannounced, as they were using venue to warm up for tour. Played for four hours UN-forgetttablr night.

  78. Joseph P

    July 9, 2015 at 3:59 am

    Most definitely the best live recording ever, nothing come close, they say Live at Leeds is better, but not as far as I’m concerned, I can only think of one other live recording but it’s a different genre and that would be Gino Vannelli Live in Montreal.

  79. RT

    July 9, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    Great record. But I’d put Dylan Live 1966 and Rolling Thunder Review Live and Springsteen’s Hammersmith Odeon 1975 above it.

  80. Anil

    July 10, 2015 at 12:39 pm

    The raw 6 cd release is da best!

  81. Jerry

    July 10, 2015 at 6:06 pm

    The Who,… “We Don’t Get Fooled Again” … 1976 live performance… saw a vid,.. best message and all time rocker for me. .. totally on fire.

  82. Glen

    March 12, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    The only live album I like better than this is Rory Gallagher’s Irish Tour 74….honourable mention to Yes Yessongs, UFO Strangers in the Night, and Thin Lizzy Live and Dangerous

  83. MARCO

    March 15, 2016 at 9:26 pm

    My Brothers for ever ……………

  84. Ray

    April 18, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    I was there! Fresh out of the USMC……next day I made a be-line to the Fillmore and bought tickets for a bunch of March/ April shows; Edgar Winter, Santana, Mountain and a couple of bands I had never heard before…. Sea Train and The Allman Brothers Band. Once I heard AB, I stood outside the Fillmore for two more nights to scalp their next two shows, but only managed to see two of the three. I will always remember Bill Graham and Leslie West standing under the marquee toasting a joint around 1 A.M. on an ice cold night.

  85. Ira Cord

    July 8, 2016 at 5:28 am

    I was there!!! Bomb scare, and it was DEF not the “greatest live rock album” ever!!!
    1st off, it’s blues/jazz-NOT rock!
    2nd, there are COUNTLESS live Rock records WAY better!!!
    ie Procol Harum + Orchestra! Humble Pie AT Fillmore!!!
    Yessongs! Pink Floyd at Pompeii!!! Any Jimi…Who Live, Stones live, Gentle Giant!!!!
    The list goes on forever!
    While ABB were fine-Stormy Monday went on till I fell asleep…, it was NOT that Magical…..

  86. Toad

    March 13, 2017 at 8:03 pm

    There’s not anyone who doesn’t think it’s at least one of the best live albums, and their first studio album from 1969 is also one of the best debuts–a lot of people seem unaware of how good that first album is. Also, the Atlanta Pop Festival album that came out a few years ago is almost as good as the Fillmore album. Those first years, the Allmans were as good as it gets.

  87. Ernest

    July 8, 2017 at 3:47 pm

    Still the best Live Album of all times! Other great live Records are Van Morrison’ it’s too late to stop now’, Talking Heads ‘stop making sense’,Little Feat ‘waiting for Columbus’,Thin Lizzy ‘live and dangerous’ or Neil Young ‘live rust’.

  88. Tom B

    July 23, 2017 at 7:06 am

    Absolutely, no question! 2nd place is distant. This album as a blues album is a masterpiece! The band with Duane and Dickey at the helm reinvented blues. As great as any single blues guitarist is, Duane and Dickey showed what two unselfish blues guitarists can create. “Whipping Post” is as good as any blues song ever written and is a tribute in ways to the early blues masters. Duane’s slide with Thom Doucette in “Don’t Keep Me Wondering” is off the chart.

  89. jocko 25

    February 25, 2022 at 8:02 pm

    It’s Berry Oakley not Barry.

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