My Cross to Bear is the memoir of Gregg Allman of The Allman Brothers who were the inspiration for Cameron Crowe's film, Almost Famous. Filled with tales of debauchery and musical fervor, My Cross to Bear details Allman's life from his early years to the present. Greg Allman and his brother Duane were born in Nashville and started performing early in a band called the Allman Joys. Duane was a talented guitarist, ranked second only to Jimi Hendrix by Rolling Stone magazine. Unfortunately, he was killed in a motorcycle accident right after the Allman Brothers released their third album. So Gregg's life bears the marks of two tragic deaths, the first one being the senseless shooting of his father by someone he had just met in a bar.
Aside from the tragedy though, Allman's life has been one big party with copious drug and alcohol abuse; he estimates that he went to rehab eighteen times. Sometimes, while touring, he would sleep with four or five women in the same hotel in one night. They would be in different rooms and once Allman was done with one, he would just say "I'll be right back" and disappear. Of his six marriages, three were before the age of thirty. His third wife was Cher of whom he says, "she smelled like I imagine a mermaid would smell."
Although this memoir delves deep into the rock star lifestyle of which Allman eventually says, "I don't know if I'd do it again," it's also about the music and Allman's passion for it. There are tips here for budding musicians, such as how leaning your head back before belting it out preserves your vocal chords, and matching the bridge to the final verse is the key to songwriting.
Overall, this is a heartfelt memoir written in Allman's distinctive tone and gives the impression of someone rolling with the punches. Allman's charm lies in taking whatever life throws at him and dealing with it, whether it's stardom or drug addiction.
Gregg Allman was born in Nashville, Tennessee, as was his older brother Duane. The two brothers got interested in music early and started performing, eventually forming The Allman Brothers Band. After Duane died in a motorcycle accident, Gregg continued his solo career which has been more blues-inspired. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2006. He has been ranked among the top 100 Greatest Singers of all Time by Rolling Stone magazine.
Alan Light is a well-known music critic who has written for Rolling Stone and been the Editor-in-Chief for Vibe and Spin. He grew up in Cincinnati and went to Yale University where he graduated with a degree in American Studies.
"This is a great autobiography so far. I just opened it up and I'm glued to the pages. You don't have to be an Allman Brothers freak to enjoy the complexities and struggles growing up without a father in the 50's and sixties (but it helps). Written by Greg himself it is a rough, etched romp through the rivers of his memories, to steal a John Hartford line. Really enjoying it. Highly recommended. Great book. Ends up sounding a little bit sociopathic but still lovable."
—
Diego (5 out of 5 stars)