Merriweather back in the day: The Allman Brothers

Sunday, August 28, 2011

The Allman Brothers - July 19, 1979

With a long history of shows at Merriweather, this was their first of what would be eighteen shows to date. The band had been through many changes and this show was a great line-up and a lively performance. The group had just recently reformed, after splitting apart in 1976 due to drug issues, legal conflicts and numerous tensions between band members. While their recent album, Enlightened Rougues, released in February, was well received, with some great guitar work between Dickey Betts and new addition, Dan Toler, the band was still in serious trouble.

Their record label, Capricorn, collapsed later in the year due to financial issues, and Southern Rock simply was losing popularity amidst the punk and new wave revolution. By 1982, the band would again break up, and stay apart for almost 7 years.

These excellent recordings are from that 1979 show -

I always found "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" an incredible mix of jazz, southern rock and blues as well as a masters exercise in guitar workmanship. This recording was taken directly from the soundboard that evening:

This recording of "Ramblin' Man" was the band's biggest chart hit:

The Set List

1. Don't Want You No More
2. It's Not My Cross To Bear
3. Can't Take It With You
4. Blue Sky
5. Need Your Love So Bad
6. Crazy Love
7. Just Ain't Easy
8. In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed
9. Statesboro Blues
10. Try It One More Time
11. One Way Out
12. Southbound
13. Whipping Post
14. Ramblin' Man
15. Midnight Rider

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Merriweather Memories

Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland has a rich history of diverse concerts dating back to it's opening in 1967. Some of the the most memorable shows were in the 70's & 80's, when the venue attracted major acts whose shows at the forty acre wooded venue provided many fans with experiences to remember for a lifetime. I was lucky enough to have worked there during many of these classic shows. By sharing the sights and sounds of some of those actual concerts decades ago, the memories of those times can be relived once again - Chuck.

Merriweather History

Merriweather opened in July 1967 as the second public building in Columbia, a planned city. It was designed by architect Frank Gehry, known for his design of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. It took eight months and $1 million to build the simple pavilion and grounds. With top-notch acoustics, the amphitheater was initially created to be the summer home of the National Symphony, and it was named for one of the group's key patrons, Marjorie Merriweather Post. In 2010 it was named the second best amphitheater in the country by Billboard magazine. The venue has struggled at times over the years and flirted with closing a decade ago, until new management and an appreciation by the local community for it's legacy has made it vibrant once again.