One of Macon, Georgia’s biggest exports is music and no band has given the city more fame than The Allman Brothers Band. The band started in Jacksonville, Florida by brothers Gregg and Duane Allman, who were heavily influenced by the Muscle Shoals musicians.
They were joined by Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks, and “Jaimoe” Johanson. The band has left its mark on Southern music, influencing artists today with songs like “Ramblin’ Man” and “Melissa.” The movie Almost Famous is loosely based on the band’s story.
After an offer from Capricorn Records, the band relocated to Macon, Georgia, where in January 1970, Berry Oakley and his wife, Linda, rented this Tudor-style home on Vineville Avenue. Members of the band, their extended families, and friends all stayed here until 1973. The home has since been restored as The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House.
The museum houses memorabilia from the band’s 40-year history, including concert posters, guitars, and even clothing worn by members of the band. Some rooms of the home have even been recreated to look like they did when the band and their families lived here.
The band loved Macon for its sleepy nature, which still exists to some degree today. It wasn’t a place where they were likely to be bothered or photographed.
Fans and those unfamiliar with the band will appreciate this museum as it’s fascinating to see the lasting legacy of the Allman Brothers Band. Be sure to ask the staff questions because they are the most passionate of supporters. The museum also hosts events throughout the year, including live music and appearances by the band members.
Other Allman Brothers Sites
- Rose Hill Cemetery– You can see the graves of Duane Allman and Berry Oakley, who both died here in Macon in motorcycle crashes. 1071 Riverside Drive
- H&H Restaurant– This local soul food joint’s owners “Mama Hill” and “Mama Louise” fed the starving musicians for years and are still serving up southern dishes today. 807 Forsyth Street
- Crash Sites– Duane crashed at the intersection of Hillcrest and Bartlett, while Berry crashed at Napier and Inverness.
If You Go
The Allman Brothers Band Museum is located at 2321 Vineville Avenue, Macon, GA 31204 and is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, military and students and free for children under 5.
That about explains it. Nice.
I visited Macon back in November and visited all the Big House museum and paid homage to Duane & Berry at Rose Hill Cemetery, I also visited the accident sites and was very moved actually being there. One of the high lights of my life..
Would love to visit ‘The Big House”. Went through Macon once & went to Georgia Music Hall Of Fame on my way to Florida(I live in Iowa) and loved it! Going to have to come back sometime for sure. Thank You
Gregg says “The big house only vaguely resembles the place where the ABB lived”.