Berry Oakley Plays Final Allman Brothers Band Show Just DAYS Before His Tragic Death

Berry Oakley Plays Final Allman Brothers Band Show Just DAYS Before His Tragic Death | Society Of Rock Videos

YouTube via Allman Brothers On MV

Hofstra University, 1972

By 1972, The Allman Brothers Band had achieved critical acclaim; their 1971 live album At Fillmore East was widely regarded as one of theĀ greatest live albums in rock music, with ‘Whipping Post’ setting the standard for everyone from musicians to authors in decades to come. It’s a song that allowed each member of the Allman Brothers Band to shine; from Gregg’s whiskey-soaked vocals to the rapid fire exchange of guitar licks between Duane Allman and Dickey Betts, to the thundering, melodic bass line provided by the late Berry Oakley, ‘Whipping Post’ is one of the most classic examples of leaving the listener almost begging for more and this exclusive footage from their 1972 performance at Hofstra University is no different.

This was to be Berry Oakley’s final performance. On November 11, just 9 days later, Berry was killed in a motorcycle crash similar to that of the one that claimed the life of Duane Allman one year earlier.

The full power of ‘Whipping Post’ isn’t really seen until it’s performed live, and we believe it; it was known to run upwards of 20 minutes if the band was really in the zone and while this performance only runs about 11 minutes, the sheer magic created when the Allman Brothers Band performed ‘Whipping Post’ is enough to make you believe that time is irrelevant, just as long as they keep playing!

+ Whipping Post lyrics +

I’ve been run down and I’ve been lied to.
And I don’t know why, I let that mean woman make me a fool.
She took all my money, wrecks my new car.
Now she’s with one of my good time buddies,
They’re drinkin’ in some cross-town bar.

Sometimes I feel, sometimes I feel,
Like I’ve been tied to the whippin’ post.
Tied to the whippin’ post, tied to the whippin’ post.
Good Lord, I feel like I’m dyin’

My friends tell me, that I’ve been such a fool.
But I had to stand by and take it baby, all for lovin’ you.
Drown myself in sorrow as I look at what you’ve done.
But nothing seemed to change, the bad times stayed the same,
And I can’t run.

Sometimes I feel, sometimes I feel,
Like I’ve been tied to the whippin’ post.
Tied to the whippin’ post, tied to the whippin’ post.
Good Lord, I feel like I’m dyin’.

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