The two chapters on Watkins Glen are amongst my favorite in "Brothers and Sisters: the Allman Brothers Band and The Album That Defined The 70s." I adapted them here to celebrate the 50th anniversary.
Great read, Alan. I was there. This brings back lots of memories. Especially Garth's preamble leading into the Band all re-emerging after the rain came down. It was amazing. When the Dead came on at noon(ish), it was HOT, I was flying, and lying down right in front of the stage. By the time they got 30m into their set, there was no lying down anywhere. We were all jammed in, shoulder to shoulder, most of us fried out of our brains, but all of us collectively swaying back and fourth as they played for hours. It's quite an experience, and it was not an option. When you're surrounded by a few 100 thousand people all jammed up tight, real close and personal, what one does, we all do. It was quite amazing. However, I am going to have to say, Gerard was probably NOT fried out of his mind, because later on, when the Brothers came on, it was pretty brutal. The rain caused the temps to drop significantly, and when the sun went down, we were all drenched and it was freaking cold, teeth chattering cold. I had to drag my ass back to where they had at least some camp fires burning and I just invited myself into one circle to try drying off and warming up. It's not easy to "dry off" when still in the drenched cloths, so that whole experience was less than delightful, but hey, I was there! I hitch hiked with a friend about 150 mi from Poughkeepsie, lost him in the first hour or two after dosing out on window pane, and ended up hitching out soon as the sun rose, kinda dry, but not really, but definitely thankful there were like minded people there who would actually stop for someone looking like what I know I must have that morning. (wouldn't know, I had lost my glasses somewhere along the way : ) Oh, I was 16 in '73, and am happy to have survived all that life was throwing at us back then. Many didn't.
Read and reread. Like I have all of your books so I highly recommend to any and all who may not have! I take it back, I am getting ready to read about your adventures in China next and can't wait. But, like so many others have stated, they are a slow read. You never want them to end, so you read them with intention (and delight). The SRV story was amazing. The scope and detail are truly incredible. Thanks for bringing your amazing world into our lives Alan. I, for one, am very grateful and thankful. I'm sure I'm not alone.
yw. and obtw, what ever became of that kick starter campaign? I see you referenced in the stream several times, and that was back on the 50 yr dates in '23. Looked like they exceeded the target but I haven't been able to find any content created.
it'd be interesting to know, plus there's $87K contributed that I'm sure the patrons would love to see a return on! I tried to contribute to it now, couldn't find a way.
I just read the chapters in your book! Terrific. So much more detail than previously written. I went to Watkins Glen and can testify it was a chaotic scene. The NY State Thruway was stopped! Folks passing joints between cars simply by sticking a hand out the window. We abandoned the car miles from the racetrack and I slept in a cornfield. I have a vague memory of music in the night. Sound check? Saturday was hot then wet then humid. Seeing the stage was a Herculean task but sure, the sound was good. A parachuter appeared and a giant flare ignited and later, we learned he was a fatality. Food was scarce but the freaks shared. We stayed through the Band and despite my love for the Brothers (had recently caught them in March or May on Long Island), and my indifference to The Dead, we knew leaving would be a nightmare. So yeah, adios. My pal and I packed up and bid a muddy adieu to Watkins Glen. Funny, I left my camera in the car so have only one pic of the road out but I still have my unused, unripped Ticketron “Summer Jam” ticket! $10 well spent. Ha. Every Allman fan needs this book and I’m purposely putting it down so as to not finish it fast.
Congratulations on the book's release. I have ordered my autographed copy from Words, your hometown bookstore. I will ask my fellow 649,999 Watkins Glen attendees to do the same!
I have been enjoying the read of Brothers and Sisters so far. Your research and writing style brings me back to those times in many ways. Very interesting on how the ABB 's management and GD's try to work together for the Watkins Glen event. Many ego's and economic interest to satisfy for sure. I recall listening to my oldest brother's stories of attending the Watkins Glen event with his friends. At his funeral in June one of his friends who attended the event with him shared some of those experiences. He mentioned how few attendees came prepared with proper food, hydration and shelter to deal with the scene. He said his group became quite popular since they had a large tent and plenty of supplies. They were familiar with the site since they always attended the F1 racing at the venue and were smart enough to arrive early on Thursday. Once again love the book and thanks for keeping the music alive. Dewey
It was my birthday and my best friend and I talked about hitchhiking up to Watkins Glen to see the ABB. Since my parents would have either killed me or grounded me for life I chose to stay put so I could enjoy years and years of the Brothers- here we are 50 years later and the road goes on forever 🍄
@Gerard Anthony H I’m reading this slowly too - this book must be savored and enjoyed not gulped.
Lawdy,lawdy. My old Black ass still here @ 71...reading/listening to a Young East Coast Youngster... doing some mighty fine writing on one of America's finest musical aggregation EVER! Some where I have a picture of Bill Graham giving us water out of a garden hose through a chain link fence. Now if Quantum Mechanics was able to time shift to FITTY..years ago, I would pass...ain't nothing like Alan(de other Alan) Watts..."Be Here Now"...Thanks Alan & THANKS 2 ABB..Let the Church say A(men)LLMEN BROTHER'S & Especially the Sisters. No Sister's no US...BLUE SKIES!
love this recounting of watkins glen... a quick question i should know answer to but do not: considering the grateful dead's agnostic view on taping, why specifically did the dead "refuse to allow filming or recording?"... was it because of their negative woodstock experience and feeling among the band they performed poorly?... doesn't sound like dead 'logic' -- a show is a show and they move on. perhaps there were other internal commercial/business arrangements not agreed upon between allman and dead management?... what's the story from any new reporting or info you came upon? great book. much thanks!
You mention the live New Years Eve nationwide radio broadcast. I’ve heard versions of that. But the show I taped on my Reel to reel that night in Miami, was the earlier fall show that’s on the Deluxe B&S. Maybe different stations used that to broadcast on east coast.
Great read, Alan. I was there. This brings back lots of memories. Especially Garth's preamble leading into the Band all re-emerging after the rain came down. It was amazing. When the Dead came on at noon(ish), it was HOT, I was flying, and lying down right in front of the stage. By the time they got 30m into their set, there was no lying down anywhere. We were all jammed in, shoulder to shoulder, most of us fried out of our brains, but all of us collectively swaying back and fourth as they played for hours. It's quite an experience, and it was not an option. When you're surrounded by a few 100 thousand people all jammed up tight, real close and personal, what one does, we all do. It was quite amazing. However, I am going to have to say, Gerard was probably NOT fried out of his mind, because later on, when the Brothers came on, it was pretty brutal. The rain caused the temps to drop significantly, and when the sun went down, we were all drenched and it was freaking cold, teeth chattering cold. I had to drag my ass back to where they had at least some camp fires burning and I just invited myself into one circle to try drying off and warming up. It's not easy to "dry off" when still in the drenched cloths, so that whole experience was less than delightful, but hey, I was there! I hitch hiked with a friend about 150 mi from Poughkeepsie, lost him in the first hour or two after dosing out on window pane, and ended up hitching out soon as the sun rose, kinda dry, but not really, but definitely thankful there were like minded people there who would actually stop for someone looking like what I know I must have that morning. (wouldn't know, I had lost my glasses somewhere along the way : ) Oh, I was 16 in '73, and am happy to have survived all that life was throwing at us back then. Many didn't.
Awesome. Hope you've read the book. It's twice as long at least. So many stories.
Read and reread. Like I have all of your books so I highly recommend to any and all who may not have! I take it back, I am getting ready to read about your adventures in China next and can't wait. But, like so many others have stated, they are a slow read. You never want them to end, so you read them with intention (and delight). The SRV story was amazing. The scope and detail are truly incredible. Thanks for bringing your amazing world into our lives Alan. I, for one, am very grateful and thankful. I'm sure I'm not alone.
Thanks very much.
yw. and obtw, what ever became of that kick starter campaign? I see you referenced in the stream several times, and that was back on the 50 yr dates in '23. Looked like they exceeded the target but I haven't been able to find any content created.
Not sure. I’ll explore. They may have run into licensing problems. Very complex issue.
it'd be interesting to know, plus there's $87K contributed that I'm sure the patrons would love to see a return on! I tried to contribute to it now, couldn't find a way.
I just read the chapters in your book! Terrific. So much more detail than previously written. I went to Watkins Glen and can testify it was a chaotic scene. The NY State Thruway was stopped! Folks passing joints between cars simply by sticking a hand out the window. We abandoned the car miles from the racetrack and I slept in a cornfield. I have a vague memory of music in the night. Sound check? Saturday was hot then wet then humid. Seeing the stage was a Herculean task but sure, the sound was good. A parachuter appeared and a giant flare ignited and later, we learned he was a fatality. Food was scarce but the freaks shared. We stayed through the Band and despite my love for the Brothers (had recently caught them in March or May on Long Island), and my indifference to The Dead, we knew leaving would be a nightmare. So yeah, adios. My pal and I packed up and bid a muddy adieu to Watkins Glen. Funny, I left my camera in the car so have only one pic of the road out but I still have my unused, unripped Ticketron “Summer Jam” ticket! $10 well spent. Ha. Every Allman fan needs this book and I’m purposely putting it down so as to not finish it fast.
I Got Poster 4 Sure &Ticket Stub also...Somewhere in the clutter.
Congratulations on the book's release. I have ordered my autographed copy from Words, your hometown bookstore. I will ask my fellow 649,999 Watkins Glen attendees to do the same!
Good morning, Alan;
I have been enjoying the read of Brothers and Sisters so far. Your research and writing style brings me back to those times in many ways. Very interesting on how the ABB 's management and GD's try to work together for the Watkins Glen event. Many ego's and economic interest to satisfy for sure. I recall listening to my oldest brother's stories of attending the Watkins Glen event with his friends. At his funeral in June one of his friends who attended the event with him shared some of those experiences. He mentioned how few attendees came prepared with proper food, hydration and shelter to deal with the scene. He said his group became quite popular since they had a large tent and plenty of supplies. They were familiar with the site since they always attended the F1 racing at the venue and were smart enough to arrive early on Thursday. Once again love the book and thanks for keeping the music alive. Dewey
It was my birthday and my best friend and I talked about hitchhiking up to Watkins Glen to see the ABB. Since my parents would have either killed me or grounded me for life I chose to stay put so I could enjoy years and years of the Brothers- here we are 50 years later and the road goes on forever 🍄
@Gerard Anthony H I’m reading this slowly too - this book must be savored and enjoyed not gulped.
Lawdy,lawdy. My old Black ass still here @ 71...reading/listening to a Young East Coast Youngster... doing some mighty fine writing on one of America's finest musical aggregation EVER! Some where I have a picture of Bill Graham giving us water out of a garden hose through a chain link fence. Now if Quantum Mechanics was able to time shift to FITTY..years ago, I would pass...ain't nothing like Alan(de other Alan) Watts..."Be Here Now"...Thanks Alan & THANKS 2 ABB..Let the Church say A(men)LLMEN BROTHER'S & Especially the Sisters. No Sister's no US...BLUE SKIES!
love this recounting of watkins glen... a quick question i should know answer to but do not: considering the grateful dead's agnostic view on taping, why specifically did the dead "refuse to allow filming or recording?"... was it because of their negative woodstock experience and feeling among the band they performed poorly?... doesn't sound like dead 'logic' -- a show is a show and they move on. perhaps there were other internal commercial/business arrangements not agreed upon between allman and dead management?... what's the story from any new reporting or info you came upon? great book. much thanks!
Great story!!!
You mention the live New Years Eve nationwide radio broadcast. I’ve heard versions of that. But the show I taped on my Reel to reel that night in Miami, was the earlier fall show that’s on the Deluxe B&S. Maybe different stations used that to broadcast on east coast.