As Wikipedia notes, The Allman Brothers Band was an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman (founder, slide guitar and lead guitar) and Gregg Allman (vocals, keyboards, songwriting), as well as Dickey Betts (lead guitar, vocals, songwriting), Berry Oakley (bass), Butch Trucks (drums), and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson (drums). Subsequently based in Macon, Georgia, they incorporated elements of blues, jazz, and country music, and their live shows featured jam band-style improvisation and instrumentals.
Lucky for us, one of their live performances of "Whipping Post" at the Fillmore East in 1970 in New York was captured on film. Here it is in all its glory. Buckle up!
A live double album – At Fillmore East – was released in 1971. The album includes a 22-minute, 40-second rendition of "Whipping Post" that takes up the entire final side. Jam on!
Tragically, group leader Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident later that year – on October 29, 1971. And then bassist Berry Oakley died one year and 13 days later in another motorcycle accident. As for Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks, they both passed away in 2017.
But every member of the band is forever with us in this timeless recording.
Remarkably, Gregg Allman was just 21 years old when "Whipping Post" was first recorded. His writing the song dates back to late March 1969, when The Allman Brothers Band was first formed.
Whipping Post
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'. 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'
Songwriter: Gregg L. Allman