Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

My Cross to Bear
My Cross to Bear
My Cross to Bear
Audiobook10 hours

My Cross to Bear

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

()

About this audiobook

For the first time, rock music icon Gregg Allman, one of the founding members of The Allman Brothers Band, tells the full story of his life and career in My Cross to Bear. No subject is taboo, as one of the true giants of rock ’n’ roll opens up about his Georgia youth, his long struggle with substance abuse, his string of bad marriages (including his brief union with superstar Cher), the tragic death of  brother Duane Allman, and life on the road in one of rock’s most legendary bands.
LanguageEnglish
PublisherHarperAudio
Release dateMay 1, 2012
ISBN9780062116178
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.

Related to My Cross to Bear

Related audiobooks

Artists and Musicians For You

View More

Related articles

Reviews for My Cross to Bear

Rating: 4.086206931034483 out of 5 stars
4/5

87 ratings10 reviews

What did you think?

Tap to rate

Review must be at least 10 words

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Really excellent!

    I always liked the Allman Brothers’ music, and now I’ve learned a whole lot more about them, the other band members, and the background story. Bounced back and forth between listening and downloading all the albums mentioned from Apple Music (go Apple!!).

    The narrator was perfect: sounded just like I would imagine Gregg Allman would sound.

    This autobiography is great, and definitely worth a listen….☺️

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    The only thing good about this book was his discussion about music and the changing music scene in his era. He could have said what he had to say in 1/3 of the book and it would have been important.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A Beautiful story about a man & his musical journey. RIP Gregory
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I particularly loved the last few chapters where Greggory spoke about the things that kept him going in his life and reflected on what was most important to him.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Wow.. it is a book that moves you...the journey of gregg allman is worth listening to..
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    RIH DUANE & GREGORY.See ya on the other side. Beautiful chaos. Each Allman Brothers song takes me to a different place time and feeling. I love them all.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I purchased My Cross to Bear, by Gregg Allman at a library-sponsored used book sale about four or five years ago. I wasn't sure I was going to like this book but for $1.50 it was worth the try. It is surprisingly folksy and readable.

    I started listening to the Allman Brothers in 1971, when I started listening to WNEW-FM. A friend of mine introduced me to Gregg Allman's solo music during the summer of 1979, with the album "Laid Back." My favorite song of his, on that album, "These Days" (written by Jackson Browne), is still going through my head..

    "My Cross to Bear" is an illustration, even "Exhibit "A" of the Neil Young song, "Needle (or bottle) and the Damage Done." Many of the musicians, including Gregory (as he preferred to be called) were so intelligent and talented. The self-destruction in their lives was, simply put, a waste. The drugs were in the culture. It was known, early on, that they were destructive.

    The life of a touring and performing musician often does not blend well with domesticity. It made hard but compelling reading.

    All the same, the book gave me a new appreciation of his music, and the music that blossomed in the fertile days of the late 1960's and early 1970's. It is a testament to his talent that he remained a performer through the early 2010's. He was great. The book was near-great and I'm glad I picked it up after some false starts.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Enjoyable book about his life.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Definitely two less stars if you're not a fan. But if you are a fan then Gregg's behind the scenes story of life in the Allmans and his dealings with drugs, alcohol and death of friends and family really gives you the full picture. The writing does fly all over as Gregg easily tangents off on side stories and thoughts. Maybe when Dickey Betts penned Ramblin Man he was really writing about Gregg's book writing style.Interesting is what goes into writing a song, his dealing with death and just how much effort and dedication goes into making it in music. Another point that surprised me was that the money didn't really start rolling in until after Duane died. Not that his death contributed to it, but just terrible timing as it is evident from Gregg that the only reason he made it was because Duane really believed the dream and pushed them both so hard.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    As some of you may know, I’m a big Allman Brothers Band fan. Not the biggest, but big enough. I’ve seen Gregg perform solo a good number of times and the Allman Brothers Band pretty much regularly at the Beacon Theater in New York. So Gregg’s autobiography was a must read, regardless of the reviews, which were pretty good.My Cross to Bear is an interesting read. It’s like sitting in Gregory’s (his real friends call him Gregory, not Gregg) living room over a cup of coffee (since he’s alcohol/drug free) and listening to him ramble on about his life, his brother, his wives, bandmates, etc. He doesn’t ‘diss’ anyone nor does he reveal any major revelations. His alcohol and drug abuse, as well as that of his bandmates, made for a turbulent life.However, My Cross to Bear is more notable for what it doesn’t say. Searching for Simplicity is far and away Gregg’s best solo album as well as, in my humble opinion, one of the best blues albums around. It apparently is one that Gregg’s proud of as well. Yet there’s scant mention of it and there’s no mention of why he never plays songs from it in his concerts. Hittin’ the Note is the best (and only) Allman Brothers album produced recently and he barely mentions it, other than to say Jaimoe came up with the title from one of Berry Oakley’s pet phrases.While My Cross to Bear is a must for Allman Brothers fans, I’d rather have heard less about the tos and fros of his travels and more about the making of some of the best music we’ll ever hear.