BLUES N'AT

Two of the greatest rock/blues guitarists in history celebrate their birthdays within a week of each other. The bad news is, neither is still with us to celebrate. The good news is that they each left their own indelible mark on the guitar world as well legacies that have spanned generations. Duane Allman, of the Allman Brothers Band, was born on November 20, 1946. Jimi Hendrix was born November 27 1942.

After leaving the U.S. Army, where he reportedly slept with his guitar (that's dedication!), Jimi Hendrix cut his teeth performing on what was called "chitlin' circuit", backing up such acts as Little Richard and the Isley Brothers. Jimi was discovered by the Animals' Chas Chandler who wanted to leave performing and became Jimi's manager. Chandler soon teamed Jimi up with drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding. He dubbed them the Jimi Hendrix Experience. They were every bit the power rock trio. Jimi burst onto the American music scene when the Experience played at the Monterrey Pop Festival in 1967. Jimi wowed the crowd with his playing and his pyrotechnics. He blew them away with his performance and left them awe-struck when he capped his set by setting his guitar on fire. From there, Hendrix's career was on fire. Unfortunately, Hendrix was like a meteor, burning bright and then flaming out. The Experience experienced growing pains and disbanded. Hendrix formed Gypsy Sun and Rainbows, turning in a stunning performance at Woodstock. That band morphed into Band of Gypsys. Management issues hampered Jimi's ability to make music. He eventually retreated to London, the city that first embraced Jimi as a guitar god. Ultimately, Jimi died far too young in London at age 27 on September 18, 1970.

Duane Allman was born on November 20, 1946 in Nashville, TN. Duane was an in-demand session guitarist before hitting it big with his own group, the Allman Brothers Band. Duane laid down the lead for such artists as Boz Scaggs, Aretha Franklin and King Curtis while the Allmans toiled in virtual obscurity. They finally developed a following of their blues-jazz masterpieces while touring extensively. Duane and Eric Clapton formed a mutual admiration that led to Duane playing some of his most inspired work with Derek and the Dominoes. The Allman Brothers Band became a favorite act of legendary concert promoter Bill Graham. So much so that Graham chose the Allmans to play the final set at the historic Fillmore East. Like Hendrix, Duane left an extensive body of exceptional work after an unexpected death at the age of 24 on October 29, 1971.

Both guitarists leave behind countless hours of blistering licks and have influenced multitudes of fret masters. To "experience" classic Hendrix, check out his three albums with the Experience,  1)Are You Experienced 2)Axis: Bold as Love 3)Electric Ladyland and Band of Gypsys, recorded live at the Fillmore East in 1970. To get your Allman joy, try the Allman Brothers' Idlewild South and At Fillmore East as well as Derek and the Dominoes' Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. Both artists have plenty more music out there but these albums highlight why both Jimi and Duane are typically  mentioned in the conversation of greatest of all time. Get your guitar god on with these two. Gone but not forgotten. Until next time, boys and girls. Keep it bluesy.