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Brothers and Sisters: The Allman Brothers Band and the Inside Story of the Album That Defined the '70s
New York Times bestselling author Alan Paul's in-depth narrative look at the Allman Brothers' most successful album, and a portrait of an era in rock and roll and American history.
The Allman Brothers Band's Brothers and Sisters was not only the band's bestselling album, at over seven million copies sold, but it was also a powerfully influential release, both musically and culturally, one whose influence continues to be profoundly felt.
Celebrating the album's fiftieth anniversary, Brothers and Sisters the book delves into the making of the album, while also presenting a broader cultural history of the era, based on first-person interviews, historical documents, and in-depth research.
Brothers and Sisters traces the making of the template-shaping record alongside the stories of how the Allman Brothers came to the rescue of a flailing Jimmy Carter presidential campaign and helped get the former governor of Georgia elected president; how Gregg Allman's marriage to Cher was an early harbinger of an emerging celebrity media culture; and how the band's success led to internal fissures. The book also examines the Allman Brothers' relationship with the Grateful Dead―including the most in-depth reporting ever on the Summer Jam at Watkins Glen, the largest rock festival ever―and describes how they inspired bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, helping create the southern rock genre.
With exclusive access to hundreds of hours of never-before-heard interviews with every major player, including Dickey Betts and Gregg Allman, conducted by Allman Brothers Band archivist, photographer, and "Tour Mystic" Kirk West, Brothers and Sisters is an honest assessment of the band's career, history, and highs and lows.
The Allman Brothers Band's Brothers and Sisters was not only the band's bestselling album, at over seven million copies sold, but it was also a powerfully influential release, both musically and culturally, one whose influence continues to be profoundly felt.
Celebrating the album's fiftieth anniversary, Brothers and Sisters the book delves into the making of the album, while also presenting a broader cultural history of the era, based on first-person interviews, historical documents, and in-depth research.
Brothers and Sisters traces the making of the template-shaping record alongside the stories of how the Allman Brothers came to the rescue of a flailing Jimmy Carter presidential campaign and helped get the former governor of Georgia elected president; how Gregg Allman's marriage to Cher was an early harbinger of an emerging celebrity media culture; and how the band's success led to internal fissures. The book also examines the Allman Brothers' relationship with the Grateful Dead―including the most in-depth reporting ever on the Summer Jam at Watkins Glen, the largest rock festival ever―and describes how they inspired bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, helping create the southern rock genre.
With exclusive access to hundreds of hours of never-before-heard interviews with every major player, including Dickey Betts and Gregg Allman, conducted by Allman Brothers Band archivist, photographer, and "Tour Mystic" Kirk West, Brothers and Sisters is an honest assessment of the band's career, history, and highs and lows.
Editorial Reviews
"[Alan Paul is] perceptive when analyzing the musical approaches of the band's members" ―The Wall Street Journal
"Brothers and Sisters: The Allman Brothers Band and the Inside Story of the Album that Defined the 1970s is a scholarly book with a warm spirit and filled with fresh information on one of America's greatest rock bands. It is a noble, kick-ass addition to the literary rock canon." ―CultureSonar
"full of insider-y tidbits for Allman fans, but it also provides a fascinating portrait of the era" ―Garden & Gun
"Paul, who has conducted extensive interviews with just about everyone in the Allman Brothers world (and also draws on hundreds of hours of interviews by Kirk West for a book that never got written), has previously written the definitive book on Allman Brothers Band history, "One Way Out: The Inside History of the Allman Brothers Band." So is another book really necessary?
Yes it is, given everything that happened to the band from '71 to '76...
...Like Warren Zanes' recent "Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska," it uses a great album as a launching pad for a thorough exploration of an artist at a unique and fascinating point in their history." ―NJ Arts
"The book is full of trenchant observations by friends and contemporaries, creating a valuable perspective on the music scene in the early '70s. A warm, entertaining appreciation of a key period in the career of a vital American band." ―Kirkus Reviews (starred)
"extensive, thoroughly researched... Longtime Allman Brothers fans and readers who have only recently discovered the band will enjoy this in-depth treatment." ―Library Journal
"a rollicking tale...Enriched by a cache of band interviews never heard before, Paul's entry marshals encyclopedic detail and sterling prose for a vivid glimpse into a classic moment in music history. Rock fans will rejoice." ―Publishers Weekly
"For a fledgling 20-year old piano player in 1972, being asked to join the Allman Brothers Band was like entering Heaven. There were ups and downs during the making of Brothers and Sisters, but it still stands as the band's most popular and best-selling record. Alan has captured the era with deep research and his savvy writing skills." ―Chuck Leavell, Allman Brothers Band, Rolling Stones
"If you want to know the real deal, read Alan Paul." ―Oteil Burbridge, Allman Brothers Band
"No...
"Brothers and Sisters: The Allman Brothers Band and the Inside Story of the Album that Defined the 1970s is a scholarly book with a warm spirit and filled with fresh information on one of America's greatest rock bands. It is a noble, kick-ass addition to the literary rock canon." ―CultureSonar
"full of insider-y tidbits for Allman fans, but it also provides a fascinating portrait of the era" ―Garden & Gun
"Paul, who has conducted extensive interviews with just about everyone in the Allman Brothers world (and also draws on hundreds of hours of interviews by Kirk West for a book that never got written), has previously written the definitive book on Allman Brothers Band history, "One Way Out: The Inside History of the Allman Brothers Band." So is another book really necessary?
Yes it is, given everything that happened to the band from '71 to '76...
...Like Warren Zanes' recent "Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska," it uses a great album as a launching pad for a thorough exploration of an artist at a unique and fascinating point in their history." ―NJ Arts
"The book is full of trenchant observations by friends and contemporaries, creating a valuable perspective on the music scene in the early '70s. A warm, entertaining appreciation of a key period in the career of a vital American band." ―Kirkus Reviews (starred)
"extensive, thoroughly researched... Longtime Allman Brothers fans and readers who have only recently discovered the band will enjoy this in-depth treatment." ―Library Journal
"a rollicking tale...Enriched by a cache of band interviews never heard before, Paul's entry marshals encyclopedic detail and sterling prose for a vivid glimpse into a classic moment in music history. Rock fans will rejoice." ―Publishers Weekly
"For a fledgling 20-year old piano player in 1972, being asked to join the Allman Brothers Band was like entering Heaven. There were ups and downs during the making of Brothers and Sisters, but it still stands as the band's most popular and best-selling record. Alan has captured the era with deep research and his savvy writing skills." ―Chuck Leavell, Allman Brothers Band, Rolling Stones
"If you want to know the real deal, read Alan Paul." ―Oteil Burbridge, Allman Brothers Band
"No...
Readers Top Reviews
Warren K. WeldonM
I worked for the ABB, I have always tried to pay my respects in Macon every time I drive through. I have to admit that a few times this book made me cry and several times I have gone back to re-read passages. I am on my second reading of the book and why anyone wouldn't appreciate and feel a connection to this book probably was never a fan. All I can say is, I know the stories that I am familiar with are very accurate and well written. Thanks Mr Alan Paul for this well written piece of history. This book helps stave off the pain of knowing I'll never work for my favorite band again.
William H. Maruca
Like his definitive ABB bio One Way Out, Alan Paul's Brothers and Sisters is an insider's deep dive into the inner workings of one of America's most influential bands, focusing on its most popular era and album. As a fellow musician, I appreciate Paul's accurate and detailed insights (he is a guitarist himself and plays in an acclaimed ABB tribute band). No other band has had to weather these extreme ups and downs - the sudden tragic deaths of two founders, a phoenix-like rebirth with two new members, a blockbuster comeback album, headlining the largest single performance event in U.S. history, ongoing substance issues and internal rivalries, management disputes (well, those are common), a lead singer marrying a Hollywood superstar (not so much), and finally legal entanglements with a band employee and organized crime that drove a wedge between Gregg Allman and the rest of the band. When this era closed with the band's split it would have been hard to envision their triumphant third act which featured Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, but there were decades of brilliant music to come. They never again reached this pinnacle of success, but still they soldiered on, because the Road Goes On Forever.
Joel FriedJoel Fr
From start to finish, Alan Paul delivers the goods. This book captures the importance of the music of The Brothers and Sisters Era. What a great read 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 The Mysterious J
R. IsherwoodJoel
Mr. Paul's books never disappoint. Brothers and Sisters is a superb addition to his canon. Reading this book it's as if an old friend is sitting next to you on your favorite couch sharing stories from the past of one of your favorite bands Keep' em coming.
