Concert Review: BAND OF BROTHERS AT THE SPIRE CENTER

Joanna Gleason
May 19
2 min read

On Sunday May 11, 2025, the Spire Center in Plymouth, MA - a music, theater & dance performance staged in a converted former church built in 1886 -, welcomed a Band of Brothers. The concert was a tribute to the Allman Brothers band which is considered the pioneering band of southern Rock and played a very important role in Rock and Roll history. The band was awarded seven Gold and four Platinum albums by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Allman Brothers rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969, is considered as one of the most popular rock bands in America. Its founding members were brothers Duane Allman (slide guitar, lead guitar), Greg Allman (vocals, keyboards), as well as Dickey Betts (lead guitar, vocals), Berry Oakley (bass), Butch Trucks (drums), and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson (drums). The group incorporated elements of blues, jazz, and country music and their live shows featured jam band-style improvisation and instrumentals.

The band released several albums: the first two studio albums, The Allman Brothers Band (1969) and Idlewild South (1970), both released by Capricorn Records. Group leader Duane was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1971; however, the band continued, releasing Eat a Peach in 1972, a dual studio/live album that cemented the band’s popularity and featured Gregg’s “Melissa” and Betts’s “Blue Sky.” Following the motorcycling death of Oakley in 1972, the group recruited keyboardist Chuck Leavell and bassist Lamar Williams for 1973’s Brothers and Sisters.

To pay homage and celebrate the Allman Brothers’ music, a side project led by exceptional guitar players Johnny Trama and Ryan Taylor has been set up to keep alive the Allman Brothers’ different hits such as whipping Post, Midnight Rider, Blue Sky, Little Martha, Trouble No More, One Way Out, Dreams, It’s Not My Cross to Bear, etc.

Joined by Tom Arey on drums, Brendon Tommoney (percussion), and the exceptional Richard James on Keys and vocals, the Allman Brothers tribute band was exceptional. The group combines individual virtuosity with exceptional teamwork by interpreting several songs from the Allman Brothers. Their attempt to play a list of songs composed by the iconic star musicians such as Duane Allman, Greg Allman, and Dickey Betts was a success.

The Spire Center provided an ideal venue for this outstanding night of the Allman/Betts music.