The Allman Brothers Band: Only one original member remains

Time waits for no one. With the recent passing of guitarist/composer Dickey Betts, The Allman Brothers Band now rolls with only one original co-founding member. Drummer Jai Johanny Johanson also known as Jaimoe is the last original member of the group. The band formed in 1969 in Jacksonville, Florida. The original group includes Gregg and Duane Allman, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks and Betts. Jaimoe was the only African-AmerIcan member of the group. During a time of civil unrest and rioting, Jaimoe, at the time a struggling musician, recounts in a previous interview that he was urged to take up the offer to join the Southern-based band by a good friend, Charles 'Honey boy' Otis who told him, "If you want to make some money, go play with those white boys." Jaimoe followed his friend's advice, headed to Muscle Shoals, Alabama for sessions work and carved out a beautiful career with an iconic, culture influencing jam band machine. Yes, time marches on. For this die-hard rocker, bands who motivated me in my youth all have dwindling membership. The Rolling Stones: 2 original members; AC/DC: One original member (Angus! Angus!); Lynryd Skynyrd: 0 original members after last year's passing of Gary Rossington. The beauty of RoCK..it LIVES on and crosses the generations. Raise a glass, eat a peach!