Gregg Allman, the legendary frontman of the Allman Brothers Band, fought a decades-long battle with personal demons that nearly destroyed him. A new documentary, “Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul,” explores the highs and lows of the late Southern rock icon’s life.

Early Life and Tragedy

Allman’s father, U.S. Army Captain Willis Turner Allman, was fatally shot in Norfolk, Virginia during an attempted robbery when Allman was just two years old. His brother, Duane, was three at the time. Following their father’s murder, their mother, Geraldine, raised the boys as a single mother and never remarried.

The loss of his father and later his brother had a profound impact on Allman’s life and music. Director James Keach explained that the film chronicles how Allman’s father’s murder, the death of his brother Duane, and years of addiction left lasting scars that ultimately led to a hard-won redemption.

Music and Redemption

The Allman Brothers Band’s self-titled debut album was released in 1969, but it was their seminal live album “At Fillmore East” in 1971 that catapulted the band to stardom. Tragedy struck again when Duane was killed in a motorcycle accident at the age of 24. Another motorcycle accident the following year claimed the life of bassist Berry Oakley.

Despite the struggles and tragedies, Allman continued to perform and create music. The documentary features rare interviews with Allman and explores his life, music, and struggles with addiction. Michael Lehman, who managed Allman’s career and remained one of his closest confidants, co-produced the documentary and shared that the pain of Duane’s death haunted Allman for decades.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.