You may be aware of the megahit biopic “Michael” that has been in area movie theaters.
But there’s also a lesser-known rock film that concerns a controversial star.
“Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul” is a documentary about the bluesy-voiced keyboard player from the Allman Brothers Band. It’s a hard film to see in Iowa (the closest it’s been shown recently was in Omaha, to my knowledge). But it’s worth a viewing to fans.
Gregg Allman, center, on the cover of his band’s At Fillmore East, was a talented singer and musician who didn’t always play the role of a star. (Photo by John Naughton)
Allman (1947-2017) helped form Southern rock with his distinctive voice and soulful organ (and occasionally guitar). He formed the Allman Brothers Band with his brother Duane (one of the greatest guitarists in rock) in 1969.
The brothers joined with two drummers (Butch Trucks, Jaimoe Johanson), guitarist Dickey Betts and bassist Berry Oakley to develop a sound with dual guitars and drums, Gregg’s soaring riffs on keyboards and a thumping bass.
Their sound defined a type of music that blended blues, rock and country. They opened the door for bands like Lynryd Skynyrd, the Marshall Tucker Band and ZZ Top.
But the band also was marked by tragedy. Duane Allman died as a result of a motorcycle accident in 1971 and Oakley passed in a similar manner nearly a year later to the day.
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