In Memory of Elizabeth Reed Lyrics

"In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" is a jazz-influenced instrumental song from The Allman Brothers Band that is one of their most well-known pieces. The original studio recording of "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" is the fourth song on the group's 1970 album "Idlewild South". It is a minor key instrumental song written by guitarist Dickey Betts. The song is named after a headstone Betts saw at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, Georgia, a place frequented by band members in their early days. The cemetery was later memorialized by the band as the final resting spot of both band leader guitarist Duane Allman and bassist Berry Oakley, who both died in motorcycle accidents in Macon only 13 months apart. Lead guitarist and band leader Duane Allman has been recognized as one of the greatest blues/rock guitarists in history, according to numerous polls. He was also a studio musician who appeared on many other notable recordings with musicians such as Clarence Carter, King Curtis, Aretha Franklin, Otis Rush, Percy Sledge, Johnny Jenkins, Boz Scaggs, Delaney & Bonnie, Wilson Picket, and jazz flautist Herbie Mann. He collaborated with Eric Clapton on the Derek and the Dominoes album which produced the classic "Layla." Other original members of the band were Gregg Allman, (vocals), Butch Trucks (drums), and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson (Drums), an African American. "Elizabeth Reed" has appeared in many Allman Brothers concerts, sometimes running half an hour or more, and on numerous Allman Brothers live albums, but most notably on "At Fillmore East", which many fans and critics believe is the definitive rendition.