History of The Allman Brothers song In Memory of Elizabeth Reed

[GnLguy]

I recently posted a version of Liz Reed by the Allman Brothers with Dickey Betts & Warren Haynes on guitar

Initially released on the ABB’s second album, Idlewild South, in 1970, it clocked in at 1 second under 7 minutes. It was later included on the band’s double live album, Live At The Fillmore East, which recording showcased some of the band’s improv skills and was stretched out to 13:10 minutes.

Dickey Betts wrote the instrumental as a love song to a girl that he was seeing at the time; in Macon GA, the local grave yard, Rose Hill Cemetery was a hangout for many young people, the members of the ABB included. Dickey couldn’t name the song after the girl because she happened to also be dating singer Boz Skaggs and of course, he wanted to avoid conflict; the story goes that as Betts was wondering what to name the song, he happened to notice the grave marker of Elizabeth Jones Reed Napier and the rest is band history.

The Fillmore recording was made during 3 days of performances by the band in late March 1971. The double live album was released & sold at the same price as a single LP of the day and soon went Gold. It is still regarded today as the best live recording in rock & roll. Live At The Fillmore was one of 50 recordings chosen in 2004 by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry.

As you listen to the final solo of the live version that begins near the 7:45 minute mark, keep in mind that Duane Allman was only 24 yrs old when the recording was made. He was unfortunately killed just 21 days before his his 25 birthday and the recording was made approx 7 months prior to his death.

Duane’s improv skills were tremendous given his young age. In addition to the ABB, he has the Layla album with Clapton to his credit in addition to many sessions at Muscle Shoals

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[JoeD1]

This version of “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” just came across my feed today. It is Duane Betts (Dickey Betts’ son named after Duane Allman) guest appearance with Marcus King (another excellent blues guitarist) at a concert in Florida on November 7. It also includes a cover of Delaney and Bonnie’s “Comin’ Home” which was co-written with Eric Clapton.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[GnLguy]

JoeD1 wrote:

This version of “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” just came across my feed today. It is Duane Betts (Dickey Betts’ son named after Duane Allman) guest appearance with Marcus King (another excellent blues guitarist) at a concert in Florida on November 7. It also includes a cover of Delaney and Bonnie’s “Comin’ Home” which was co-written with Eric Clapton.

I’m not very familiar with Marcus King except that he is an up & coming Southern musician.

I really like what Duane Betts & Devon Allman are doing to carry on the traditions that their fathers began in 1969. Dickey could never deny that Duane is his son and some pics that I’ve seen of Devon standing onstage, it was so much like his Uncle Duane standing there.
They are playing enough of the Allman Brothers Band songs to keep the memory going and to carry on the tradition but then introducing new music, collaboration of an Allman & a Betts.
In addition to the Allman Betts Band, they have started an Allman Family Revival that is many groups that have been directly associated the the Allman Brothers over the years. Devon arranged the first show as a tribute to his Dad and the others and the demand was off of the charts

Here are a couple of my favorites of the Allman Betts Band.

[Author]

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