Brothers and Sisters: The Allman Brothers Band and the Inside Story of the Album that Defined the ’70s

a book review by Michael Ray FitzGerald

IT’S QUITE COMMON for historians to disagree on events: what happened, how they happened, and what they mean. In the case of Alan Paul’s new book about the Allman Brothers Band during its 1973 to 1976 heyday—as the band blossomed and then success turned sour—I agree with Paul 99.9% and even learned some things I hadn’t expected.

The title, “Brothers and Sisters: The Allman Brothers Band and the Inside Story of the Album that Defined the ’70s” had me scratching my head. I couldn’t understand how he could get a entire book out of the making of one album. To my relief he went way beyond that.

In spite of the confusion in the subtitle, this is a very effective and insightful historical study. What I like about best about this book is that Paul is writing from the position of a scholar instead of a fanboy. He doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to taking the ABB members to task on their faults and peccadilloes. Hence this qualifies as a true historical study, not necessarily a book for fans.

The only parts where I disagree with him are the details about Lynyrd Skynyrd’s origins. This is understandable as that group’s bios are filled with tall tales and outright fabrications.

Brothers and Sisters definitely deserves its place in the southern-rock canon. Plus, it’s a New York Times top-ten bestseller. It works for the fans but at the same time satisfies crusty old historians like myself.

Michael Ray FitzGerald, PhD, is a media historian and former professional musician from Jacksonville. He is the author of Jacksonville and the Roots of Southern Rock (University Press of Florida), winner of a 2020 Florida Book Award. His latest is Guitar Greats of Jacksonville from the History Press.