Duane Allman Killed in Motorcycle Crash

October 29, 1971

24-year-old Duane Allman, slide guitarist and leader of the Allman Brothers Band, dies after crashing his motorcycle. Allman was speeding on his motorcycle when he slowed for an oncoming flatbed truck turning left in front of him. Allman veered to the center of the lane to go around the truck, but the truck stopped suddenly and Allman slammed into the weight ball of the crane the truck was carrying causing severe internal injuries. He died later that day during surgery at the hospital. The Allman Brothers Band had just released their live album, At Fillmore East. It was their breakout album and was their first album to go platinum and is considered one of the greatest live rock albums of all time.