Musician Gregg Allman died quietly at the age of 69 around 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday surrounded by his family at his Savannah, Georgia home from complications of Liver Cancer.
Music world loses another legendary icon
Allman is best known as the musician, singer, and songwriter and frontman of the Allman Brothers Band. for 45 years. His death was confirmed by his longtime manager Michael Lehman who reveals that the singer had been battling several serious health issues since 2012 when he was diagnosed with liver cancer.
Southern rocker Gregg Allman mourned by celebrity friends and fans
As previously reported, Allman was forced to cancel all of his remaining concert tour dates back in March due to health reasons. A statement was released on the Allman Brothers Band official website sadly announcing Gregg's passing. According to TMZ, Gregg had just recently finished up his last album which will be released in September.
Gregg Allman, along with his brother Duane, founded the Allman Brothers Band 45-years ago back in 1969. He is known for his long blonde hair and powerful singing voice. The Allman Brothers Band skyrocketed in popularity in 1973. The band played one of their most notorious shows playing to a record-breaking 600,000 fans alongside the Grateful Dead at The Summer Jam in Watkins Glen, New York.
In 1976 the band began hitting a lot of personal and creative road blocks. Gregg, who had begun drinking heavily the prior year, was spiraling out of control in a world of alcohol and heroin addiction.
At this time, Allman was married to my music icon Cher. The couple married in July 1975 just days after her divorce from Sonny Bono.Cher filed for divorce nine days later because of his heroin and liquor problems, but they reconciled within a month before officially divorcing in 1979.
Over the years, the Southern rocker was plagued by serious a number of health issues. He was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 1999 and underwent a liver transplant in 2010.Upon hearing of Gregg Allman's passing, his ex-wife, a very torn up Cher, and other celebrities began taking to social media posting condolences Melissa Etheridge, Keith Urban, Ringo Starr and Charlie Daniels.
He will be buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, GA, though a funeral date has not yet been set and will be announced at a later date. Allman is survived by his wife, Shannon Allman, his children, Devon, Elijah Blue, Delilah Island Kurtom and Layla Brooklyn Allman; 3 grandchildren, his niece, Galadrielle Allman, The family has asked for privacy during this difficult and painful time.
Rest in peace, Gregg Allman.
