Rock legend Gregg Allman dies aged 69

Music legend and the king of Southern rock Gregg Allman has passed away aged 69.

A statement on Allman’s website said he died peacefully at his home in Savannah, Georgia after a long health battle, which saw him fight drug and alcohol addiction, hepatitis C and undergo a liver transplant.

“Gregg struggled with many health issues over the past several years,” the statement read.

“During that time, Gregg considered being on the road playing music with his brothers and solo band for his beloved fans, essential medicine for his soul.

“Playing music lifted him up and kept him going during the toughest of times.”

Allman shot to fame in the 1969 with his brother Duane and their band, The Allman Brothers Band.

After Duane was tragically killed in a motorbike accident just two years later, Gregg went on to make music with the group and as a solo artist for the next 40 years, finding international success and honing his craft.

He was married six times, including to singer Cher, who lead the tributes on social media to him today.

never forget….gui
❤️chooch pic.twitter.com/q3BWnnNohp

— Cher (@cher) May 27, 2017

Allman came from a tough childhood and said he relied heavily on his brother Duane after their father was murdered by a hitchhiker he offered a ride to one night.

Duane’s death all those years later impacted him greatly and was said to have contributed to his drug and alcohol abuse.

“Did I get any positive anything out of all that?” he wrote of his addiction in his 2012 autobiography.

“And you’ve got to admit to yourself, no, I didn’t. You can see what happened and that by the grace of God, you finally quit before it killed you.”

Allman is survived by his five children and his wife Shannon.

Were you a fan of The Allman Brothers Band? Do you remember listening to their music?