My Cross to Bear

( 53 )

Overview

One of Rolling Stone Magazine's 25 Greatest Rock Memoirs of All Time

One of Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 2012

As one of the greatest rock icons of all time, Gregg Allman has lived it all and then some. Now he tells the unflinching story of his life, offering the definitive account of the legendary Allman Brothers Band. From run-ins with the law to meeting girls on the road to experimenting with drugs, Gregg holds nothing back, while also ...

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My Cross to Bear

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More About This Book

Overview

One of Rolling Stone Magazine's 25 Greatest Rock Memoirs of All Time

One of Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 2012

As one of the greatest rock icons of all time, Gregg Allman has lived it all and then some. Now he tells the unflinching story of his life, offering the definitive account of the legendary Allman Brothers Band. From run-ins with the law to meeting girls on the road to experimenting with drugs, Gregg holds nothing back, while also speaking, for the first time, about the painful deaths of his brother, Duane, and bassist Berry Oakley. Describing the powerful impact that Duane's death had on him, Gregg explains how the band's decision to persevere came with a heavy price—for the band and for Gregg—as he fought a battle with substance abuse that led him to rehab eleven times before he finally cleaned up for good. Capturing the Allman Brothers' ongoing, triumphant resurgence, My Cross to Bear is an honest, fascinating glimpse inside one of the most beloved and notorious bands in the history of rock music.

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Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

Death, drugs, and broken marriages have punctuated the eventful life of famed singer/ keyboardist Gregg Allman. His father died when he was just a toddler; his brilliant guitarist brother Duane succumbed to a 1971 motorcycle accident; and Allman Brothers drummer Berry Oakley died in a cycle collision just a year later. Until the mid-nineties he struggled with addictions to heroin, cocaine, and alcohol. And we haven't yet even gotten to his string of at least six marriages, including a two-year fling with Cher, health crises, and a busy touring career. All of this and much, much more is covered in this nakedly forthright autobiography. Best read while sober. A Barnes & Noble Bestseller in hardcover; now in trade paperback and NOOK Book.

USA Today
A soul-searching rumination on a hard-lived life... For generations of fans, Allman’s book provides insights into the many turns in that long road... MY CROSS TO BEAR carries a welcome seal of honesty.
Birmingham News
"Packed with juicy anecdotes, gripping details and raw energy…Fans of the Allman Brothers Band are certain to relish the revelations... MY CROSS TO BEAR provides a window into Allman’s tortured soul - he presents himself as a man cracked and flawed, yet somehow intact."
New York Times Book Review
…This book is everything you could hope for: in a grizzled, laconic drawl, Allman provides a rambling backstage account of his five decades with the Allman Brothers Band, and he doesn’t seem to hold anything back.
The New York Times Book Review
Reading this book is like sitting on a porch with a garrulous scalawag who gives equal time to his dumb decisions and fantastic luck. Only the rascal talking your ear off is Gregg Allman, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and founding member of the Allman Brothers Band. When you first pick up this autobiography…you might think the title My Cross to Bear more than a little self-pitying; after all, martyrdom is best conferred by others. But after you finish reading it, you'll probably think that, while it's unlikely anyone will base a religion on the sufferings of a millionaire rock star, Gregory LeNoir Allman passed a night in Geth­semane and then some.
—David Kirby
Publishers Weekly
Back in 1971, the Allman Brothers Band lost Duane Allman—by any standards one of rock’s greatest guitarists—to a motorcycle accident, and a year to the day later, Berry Oakley, the band’s bassist, died the same way. In his memoir, the rambling and rambunctious Gregg Allman lays bare his soul, carrying us back to his childhood with his older brother, Duane, their days at military school, the first time he picked up a guitar and started making music, the first songs he wrote, his love for Duane, his voracious appetite for drugs and sex, and his countless sexual conquests, his broken relationships and his addictions, and his deep love for music. Like an old bluesman riffing through a tale of love, loss, and redemption, Allman sings the story of the band’s early days as Hourglass and the Allman Joys, the glory days of playing the Fillmore East, the struggles to pull the band back together after Duane’s and Berry’s deaths, and the failures and successes of his own solo career. In the end, Allman, writing with music journalist Light, has produced a fiercely honest memoir. (May)
Library Journal
After major surgery in 2010, Allman launched a 2011–12 tour with the Allman Brothers Band and released a solo album, Low Country Blues, while still finding time for this memoir. With a one-day laydown and a 250,000-copy first printing; rock memoirs rock.
Kirkus Reviews
Assisted by rock journalist Light (The Skills to Pay the Bills: The Story of the Beastie Boys, 2006, etc.), Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer Allman confronts the ghosts of his past and emerges with new insight into the familial and artistic bonds that bound--and continue to bind--the Allman Brothers Band. Addicted to drugs and alcohol for much of his adult life and married multiple times, the author certainly has a hayloft full of celebrity scandal to sift through. While ABB's principal songwriter and lead vocalist covers all of his lowlights, he's much more interested in exploring the fantastic blend of blues, rock and jazz that so famously bonded he and late brother Duane to four other maverick musicians starting in the late 1960s. This is a story about musical brotherhood. With gentlemanly charm and compassion, the author vividly recounts how a guitar first transformed the lives of two restless boys living in Florida with their widowed mom. Allman's portrayal of his complicated relationship with Duane is rich and moving. Although dead by the age of 24 following a tragic motorcycle crash, Duane (considered one of the greatest guitar players of all-time) nonetheless looms large in these pages. The author's ability to share his enduring guilt in the aftermath of Duane's tragic passing is nothing less than profound. After successfully receiving a new liver in 2010, Allman appears to have at least one more silver dollar left in his pocket. As his many-faceted memoir so effectively demonstrates, the road does, indeed, go on forever for the Allman Brothers Band. Life, love and music from one of the most influential American recording artists of the last 40 years.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780062112057
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
  • Publication date: 2/26/2013
  • Pages: 390
  • Sales rank: 70,103
  • Product dimensions: 6.12 (w) x 8.82 (h) x 1.15 (d)

Meet the Author

Gregg Allman

Gregg Allman is one of the original members of the Allman Brothers Band, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a recipient of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He continues to make music as a solo artist and with the Allman Brothers and lives in Georgia.

Alan Light is a former editor-in-chief of Vibe and Spin magazines, and a frequent contributor to the New York Times and Rolling Stone.

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Table of Contents

Prologue: January 1995 3

1 Brothers 9

2 Dreams 29

3 The Foot-Shootin' Party 55

4 Hollyweird 79

5 Us Against the World 105

6 The People's Band 131

7 Come and Go Blues 159

8 Uppers and Downers 179

9 October 29, 1971 195

10 "Who's Gonna Be Next?" 207

11 Multi-Colored Ladies 225

12 Cher 241

13 Trials, Tribulations, and the White House 261

14 It Just Ain't Easy 277

15 No Angel 295

16 Ain't Wastin' Time No More 313

17 One Way Out 335

18 Low Country Blues 345

19 Trouble No More 365

Acknowledgments 379

Index 383

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 53 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(24)

4 Star

(16)

3 Star

(6)

2 Star

(4)

1 Star

(3)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 53 Customer Reviews

  • Posted April 13, 2012

    Highly recommend.

    Highs, lows and in-betweens...the dude lets it rip! Great sense of humor, too! He doesn't expect nor does he ask for anything. I admire that about him.

    I know many have judged this man over the years, but I refuse to and never would. I think that I understand him. You can hear the pain and sorrow in much of his music, and there don't appear to be as many highs as there are lows in his life (and I mean that figuratively, not literally). Maybe those are to come!

    I can’t remember not loving this man, his music, Brother Duane, the ABB, and everything else as they were a huge part of my life (along with my three Brothers) while growing up in Georgia in the 60’s & 70’s.

    35 out of 45 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 2, 2012

    Loved it. It's like sitting on the porch with a bottle of cheap

    Loved it. It's like sitting on the porch with a bottle of cheap wine and a pack of cigaretttes with the whole night to listen to a good ole boy reminisce.

    10 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted June 1, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    Highly Recommended if you grew up in the late 60's early 70's

    First of all, the enhanced edition is excellent. Secondly, Gregg Allman did a book signing at Barnes & Noble's Union Square location on May 23, 2012, and was humble, warm, friendly and outgoing. A true southern gentleman.

    I've been an Allman Brothers fan from the first time I heard their debut album played on WNEW-FM in NY on Scott Muni's show. Gregg's book takes you through his incredible journey.

    Again, highly recommended.

    6 out of 10 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 16, 2012

    Brings you back

    Nice way to look at a legandary group perhaps a bit hard on richard but greg is one great blues master

    5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 22, 2012

    highly recommended

    a great read could not put the book down! he speaks from the heart just as his music always does. ABB is the best American rock band ever period.... get the book!!

    4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 19, 2012

    Amazing!

    I just finished this book and it upsets me because the stories were fantastic and told honestly. I really get a sense that Mr. Allman is just as fantastic at writing books as he is at writing, composing, and playing music. I really enjoyed the rawness of his story. I feel like I was allowed to read his private journals because the story divulged so much information and never did he try to downplay his role in wrongdoing. I feel more connected by having read it and I always appreciate anything that makes me feel like i have learned lessons vicariously through the author. I sure hope one day that I can call him Gregory and congratulate him on this fantastic piece!

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted May 26, 2012

    NO WONDER HE CAN SING THE BLUES.

    Yikes! Wasted days and wasted nights. The liver transplant and the repentant heart make this an easy, worthwhile read.
    For those of us who are not fan's of Cher, kudos here, as she does not suffer fools gladly. Unless of course it's Hollywood Liberal politics. There are numerous accounts of people dying after their first hit of cocaine or heroin, this very talented man lived decades though what most addicts do not. Best song...2009 slow version of "Whipping Post."

    3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 23, 2012

    Fantastic!

    Enc
    Enhanced version offers wonderful interview clips & a song, which is great. Gregg tells his story honestly & engagingly. Any fan would love this book!

    3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted May 12, 2012

    It's hard to rate this book objectively. If you are an Allman Br

    It's hard to rate this book objectively. If you are an Allman Brothers fan there is loads of interfering material in the book especially around there early years (which is over half the book)

    That being said, if you are not a fan, i think it's a tedious read. It's written like I imagine he talks and the subject are all over the place and the stories are often superfluous around most getting some

    3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted May 26, 2012

    At first - seemed to be a real page turner. Then, slowly, I be


    At first - seemed to be a real page turner. Then, slowly, I began to realize...this is a piece of self serving BS. I don't think he can even remember that much of what happened during those days. I feel sorry for everyone who ever befriended this narcissistic jerk.

    2 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 21, 2012

    For a ABB GA fan its a must read.

    Not really insightful but if you are a big fan, you pretty much have to read it. There are no surprises or anything profound. Just a dude that partied hard, drank hard and drugged hard while being involved in and responsivble for some great music. This is the first enhanced ebook ive bought. The enhanced features (video and audio) are quite nice. I will now always spring for an enhanced edition when available.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 7, 2012

    My Cross to Bear GREAT READING


    Couldn't put it down


    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 10, 2013

    never again

    I will never attend another Allmans BB concert after reading this. Not the drugs, not the drinking and not the womanizing. Self inflicted gunshot wound to avoid military service!!!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 21, 2013

    Recommended for anybody of the late baby boomer generation

    The book is very entertaining. I grew up in the error of the Allman Brothers bank and their musical influence. It was I time that I easily identify with and enjoyed. I would recommend it to anybody in my generation.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 5, 2013

    Started reading this book 2 days ago past the half mark he tells

    Started reading this book 2 days ago past the half mark he tells it like it is man even some sorty`s about the warehouse in new orleans was lucky to meet greggory years ago

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 8, 2013

    Highly Recommended for any music lover

    Excellent book, Greg Allman talks about good times and bad times. Anyone who loves music, is struggling with sobriety needs to read this.

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  • Posted December 19, 2012

    I wonder, if I'd read this book in the 70's, if I would have eve

    I wonder, if I'd read this book in the 70's, if I would have ever been an Allman Brothers fan. 
    But still gives insight into his life and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. And it made me want to
     go out and buy more music, his and some of his idols!

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  • Posted December 7, 2012

    I am dying to read this........................... How good is

    I am dying to read this........................... How good is it? KAT

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 11, 2012

    Loved this book

    I really enjoyed this book. My husband and I have been an Alllman Brothers fan for many many years. Greg's life is very similar to my husband's. They both have a passion for making people happy and their love for music.

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  • Posted August 24, 2012

    If you're an Allman Brothers fan, this read is a must!

    Gregory lays it all out in this book, with phenomenal details of his early childhood with Duane, their introduction to music and their rough road to success. Behind this fascinating story is the ever present "cross to bear": drugs and alcohol and their grip on Gregory. At times, it was like watching a train wreck in slow motion, but his closing message to all that would listen: Don't go there! The archival pictures are amazing in and of themselves!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 53 Customer Reviews
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