On This Day in 1973: The Allman Brothers Began a Five-Week Run at the Top of Billboard with Their Fourth Album, Which Sold 760,000 Copies in Its First Few Weeks
Allman Brothers Band / YouTube
Album Hits No. 1
On September 8, 1973, Brothers and Sisters, the Allman Brothers Band’s fourth studio album, began a five-week stay at No. 1 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart. This remains the only U.S. No. 1 album in the band’s catalog and marked their commercial peak.
Brothers and Sisters achieved rapid success—selling 760,000 copies in its first three weeks—making it one of the fastest-selling albums in the history of its label group. That strong start helped solidify the band’s popularity during a time of personal and creative shifts.
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Hit Single “Ramblin’ Man”
The album was fronted by the single “Ramblin’ Man,” written and sung by guitarist Dickey Betts. Released in August 1973, it became the band’s first—and only—Top-10 hit, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, second only to Cher’s “Half-Breed.”
Recorded in Macon, Georgia, Brothers and Sisters was the first album after the tragic deaths of founding members Duane Allman in 1971 and bassist Berry Oakley in 1972. The band continued with new members—pianist Chuck Leavell and bassist Lamar Williams—shifting toward a sound that blended southern rock with country-style melodies.
The Country-Rock Signature
The album’s success was partly due to its lighter, more accessible sound. Songs incorporated country rhythms and piano instead of heavy blues riffs or organ-heavy arrangements. That shift opened doors to broader radio play and wider audience appeal.
With profound sales and chart dominance, Brothers and Sisters became the Allman Brothers Band’s most defining release. It solidified their place in Southern rock history and allowed them to headline stadium tours across the U.S.
