#99 At Fillmore East by The Allman Brothers Band

The 100 Greatest Albums of All Time

2025 Album Rank

99

2011 Album Rank

72

Total Points

668

Year Released

1971

Billboard 200 Chart Peak

13

Weeks at #1

N/A

RIAA Sales Certification

1,000,000 (Platinum)

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At Fillmore East Album Details

Released in July 1971, At Fillmore East is the landmark live album that captured The Allman Brothers Band at the height of their powers, transforming them from cult heroes into legends. Recorded over two nights at New York's famed Fillmore East venue, the album showcases the group's exhilarating blend of Southern rock, blues, and jazz, stretched into extended improvisations and fiery jams. With its spontaneous energy, technical brilliance, and emotional depth, the album is often cited as one of the greatest live recordings in rock history.

Led by the dual guitar attack of Duane Allman and Dickey Betts, the band's interplay is nothing short of electrifying, while Gregg Allman's soulful vocals and Hammond organ anchor the performances. Tracks like "Whipping Post", "Statesboro Blues" and "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" showcase their deep musical chemistry and ability to seamlessly shift between tight structure and freewheeling exploration. Tragically, At Fillmore East became a testament to Duane Allman's genius shortly before his untimely death later that year, cementing the album's legendary status.

Interesting Facts about At Fillmore East

• The album was recorded March 12th and 13th, 1971 at Bill Graham's legendary Fillmore East venue in New York City.
• Producer Tom Dowd was crucial in editing the multiple nights of performances into a cohesive album that still felt raw and immediate.
• Most of the songs are extended jams, with "Whipping Post" stretching to over 22 minutes, emphasizing the band's improvisational prowess.
• Duane Allman personally asked the venue's engineer to record the shows after hearing the room's excellent acoustics during soundcheck.
• The album features a mix of covers and originals, blending old blues standards with the band's signature improvisational style.
• Duane Allman considered this album his proudest achievement and believed it captured the spirit of the band better than any studio recording.
• Just a few months after the album's release, Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident at age 24, giving the album a tragic poignancy.
• The iconic cover photo, showing the band sitting casually among their equipment, was taken by Jim Marshall, a legendary rock photographer.
• At Fillmore East became the band's first major commercial success, peaking at No. 13 on the Billboard 200.
• It is widely regarded as one of the greatest live albums of all time, influencing countless jam bands, Southern rock acts, and live recording standards thereafter.
• The album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 for its cultural and historical significance.

At Fillmore East Tracklist

1. Statesboro Blues
2. Done Somebody Wrong
3. Stormy Monday
4. You Don't Love Me
5. Hot 'Lanta
6. In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
7. Whipping Post

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