The Allman Brothers did something no other band could: they turned normal three minute songs into half an hour renditions that wowed, rather than bored, their fans. Ask anyone who remembers the 1970s music scene, and they’ll likely point to the Allman Brothers as one of the defining, memorable bands of the period.

With their unique Southern sound – a blend of jazz, blues, and country – the Allman Brothers were destined for stardom from early on. Brothers Duane and Gregg Allman first founded the band “The Escorts” in 1969. Heavily influenced by such iconic bands as the Beatles, The Escorts would later become the Allman Joys then the Hour Glass. The Hour Glass found modest success, even landing a recording contract with Liberty Records and releasing two albums, but broke up following the release of their second album.

But, the breakup of the Hour Glass would lead to bigger and better things. Duane Allman began a new band, The Allman Brothers Band, inviting Jaimoe Johanson, Butch Trucks, Berry Oakley, and Dickey Betts to join. Brother Gregg would round out the Allman Brothers Band. The Allman Brothers Band quickly won a recording contract with Capricorn Records which followed with non-stop touring of the south.

Having jelled together as a band through touring, the Allman Brothers Band was then ready to lay tracks for their self-titled debut. Released in 1969, the album barely sold 50,000 copies but received plenty of critical acclaim. It also accomplished something more important: it developed the band a steady fan base. The Allman Brothers Band followed with their sophomore release in 1970, “Idlewild South.”

Their third album “The Filmore East” was released in 1971 and had been recorded in front of fans at the Filmore East. The double album went gold that same year. Two weeks later, Duane Allman was dead, the victim of a motorcycle accident. Still, the band moved forward releasing another double album, “Eat a Peace,” in 1972.

While the Allman Brothers were in the studio recording their next album, Berry Oakley, like Duane Allman, was killed in a motorcycle accident. Still, the band trudged forward, replacing Oakley with Lamar Williams, and “Brothers and Sisters” was released in 1973, which shot to number one and stayed there for six weeks.

In 1976, The Allman Brothers disbanded, only to reunite again in 1978, releasing “Enlightened Rogues” in 1979. The 1980s were quiet for the band, until in 1990, they released “Seven Turns.”

The Allman Brothers have been together for more than a quarter of a century, still continue to release albums, and the Allman Brothers’ concert tickets still sell out in minutes.