Senate Resolution No. 2571

BY: Senator SAVINO

MOURNING the death of Gregory LeNoir "Gregg"
Allman, gifted musician, prolific songwriter, and
talented singer

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
just tribute to those musical geniuses whose commitment and creative
talents contributed to the entertainment and cultural enrichment of
their community and the entire State of New York; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved this day to memorialize the
inspired life and career of Gregory LeNoir "Gregg" Allman, a prominent
figure in the history of American music, who died in Savannah, Georgia,
on Sunday, May 27, 2017, at the age of 69; and

WHEREAS, Born on December 8, 1947, in Nashville, Tennessee, Gregg
Allman, one of rock and roll's greatest and most influential artists,
was best known for performing in the Allman Brothers Band; and

WHEREAS, The Allman Brothers Band virtually invented Southern Rock;
their unique amalgam of rock, blues, boogie, psychedelic, country, and
even jazz expanded the boundaries of rock music; their signature,
extended onstage jamming set new standards for live concert performance;
and

WHEREAS, At the start of his enduring career, Gregg Allman and his
brother Duane put together several different groups, including their
first professional ones, The Allman Joys and The Hour Glass; and

WHEREAS, Gregg Allman's powerful lead vocals, emerging songwriting
and keyboard prowess perfectly complemented Duane Allman's legendary
guitar virtuosity; in 1969, their brotherhood made history with the
formation of the massively influential act which defined an era of 1970
rock 'n roll with its freewheeling yet musically masterful sound, The
Allman Brothers Band; and

WHEREAS, In November of 1969, the Band released its first album
entitled The Allman Brothers Band, which garnered great commercial
success and positive reviews; and

WHEREAS, Their third album, At Fillmore East was a huge hit, quickly
earning RIAA Gold certification within months of its July of 1971
release; now platinum certified, the album is a universally acknowledged
milestone, a landmark American work selected in 2004 for preservation in
the Library of Congress; the National Recording Registry deemed the
outstanding album to be "culturally, historically, or aesthetically
important, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States"; and

WHEREAS, The Allman Brothers Band went on to release 18 compilation
albums, 11 studio albums, and four video albums, earning three Platinum
records and three Gold records; their 1973 album, Brothers and Sisters
peaked at No. 1 on the United States chart and has been designated a
Platinum album; and

WHEREAS, The Allman Brothers Band's most famous hits include: "I'm
No Angel," "Melissa," "Whippin' Post," "Midnight Rider," "Dreams,"
"Please Call Home," "Ramblin Man," and "It's Not My Cross To Bear"; and

WHEREAS, Throughout their magnanimous five-decade career, The Allman
Brothers Band was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades such as
the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards;
and

WHEREAS, In 1995, The Allman Brothers Band was inducted into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where they were honoring for their
extraordinary history and lasting influence; the band was one of the
most successful live groups in rock 'n' roll history, consistently
selling out arenas and stadiums across the country; in 2006, Gregg
Allman was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, The Allman Brothers Band celebrated its 40th Anniversary in
2009, with a star-studded Beacon Theatre residency which saw appearances
from such friends and luminaries as Bob Weir and Phil Lesh, Eric
Clapton, Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell, Buddy Guy, Levon Helm,
Robert Randolph, Bruce Hornsby, and Billy Gibbons, as well as Sheryl
Crow; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, Gregg Allman released a solo album, Low Country
Blues which was considered by many to be a masterpiece; produced by
T-Bone Burnett, the GRAMMY Award-nominated album debuted at No. 1 on
Billboard's "Top Blues Albums" chart, ascending to No. 5 on the overall
SoundScan/Billboard 200 as it drew unanimous critical acclaim around the
world; and

WHEREAS, An inspiration to many, it is the intent of this
Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records this loving tribute to the
memory of music legend Gregg Allman, that future generations may know
and appreciate his extraordinary and innovative career, and the respect
and esteem in which he was held; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Gregory LeNoir "Gregg" Allman, gifted musician,
prolific songwriter, and talented singer whose illustrious career will
forever live in the hearts of many and continue to inspire generations
to come; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Gregory LeNoir "Gregg" Allman.