Duane Allman Guests With Grateful Dead On This Date In 1971

On April 26, 1971 the Grateful Dead were in the middle of a run at the famed Fillmore East in New York City, when they invited guitarist Duane Allman to join them for a handful of songs to start the second set. It wound up being the last time the legendary guitarist would perform with the Grateful Dead.

As per Dead Essays, Duane had high praise for the music of the Grateful Dead unlike ABB drummer Butch Trucks. “I love the Dead. As far as Jerry Garcia, Jerry Garcia could walk on water. He could do anything any man could ever do. He’s a prince,” Allman said. Duane sat-in with the Grateful Dead for three songs on the night of April 26, 1971 – “Sugar Magnolia,” “It Hurts Me Too” and “Beat It On Down The Line.” While Duane is a little low in the mix, it’s during “It Hurts Me Too” that we hear the majesty of the Grateful Dead/Duane Allman pairing.

Listen to a soundboard recording of the Grateful Dead’s entire performance:

[Originally Published: April 26, 2016]