Please Be With Me

A Song for My Father, Duane Allman

A deeply personal, revealing, and lyrical portrait of Duane Allman, founder of the legendary Allman Brothers Band, written by his daughter

Galadrielle Allman went to her first concert as an infant in diapers, held in her teenage mother’s arms. Playing was her father—Duane Allman, who would become one of the most influential and sought-after musicians of his time. Just a few short years into his remarkable career, he was killed in a motorcycle accident at the age of twenty-four. His daughter was two years old.

Galadrielle was raised in the shadow of his loss and his fame. Her mother sought solace in a bohemian life. Friends and family found it too painful to talk about Duane. Galadrielle listened intently to his music, read articles about him, steeped herself in the mythic stories, and yet the spotlight rendered him too simple and too perfect to know. She felt a strange kinship to the fans who longed for him, but she needed to know more. It took her many years to accept that his life and his legacy were hers, and when she did, she began to ask for stories—from family, fellow musicians, friends—and they began to flow.

Galadrielle Allman’s memoir is at once a rapturous, riveting, and intimate account of one of the greatest guitar prodigies of all time, the story of the birth of a band that redefined the American musical landscape, and a tender inquiry of a daughter searching for her father in the memories of others.

Praise for Please Be with Me
“Poignant and illuminating . . . brings Duane Allman to life in a way that no other biography will ever be able to do.”—BookPage

“Galadrielle Allman offers a moving and poetic portrait of her late father.”—Rolling Stone

“[Allman’s] descriptions and scenes are vivid, even cinematic. . . . The pleasure of reading Please Be With Me lies as much in its lyrical prose as in its insider anecdotes.”—Newsweek

An Personal, Insightful and A Journey of Self-Discovery

This book which is read by the author is a journey of self discovery as much as it is self healing. Learning about your father from his music that was left behind as well as stories told by the musicians, the roadies, family and anyone that knew Duane. Truly painting a picture that hearing his spirit that he poured into his music, writing this book must of been bittersweet. Duane had his flaws as we all do but his love for his only child shines through in this book. I was married to a creative musician that tragically died and this book really touched me in healing ways. My prayer is that this book will touch others in a way that heals and inspires. Thank you Galadrielle for painting a true rich picture of your father.

A daughter's perspective of Skydog

Great insights that only a daughter could have. Remember Duane Allman! Can't help but to listen to his music in between reading this.

Well Written and narrated by Galadrielle

Where does Please Be with Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is probably the best book on the subject of the beginnings of the Allman Brothers and its founder Duane Allman. It is hard to imagine what an artistic genius is much less how one came to be. This story however is so much more than that. It is a heartfelt search by a daughter who set out on a journey to find out who her Dad really was not only as a musical artist but as a father. My emotions went through many highs and lows in this audiobook. After 40 years I appreciate being alive long enough to find out what made Duane Allman tick. The story is both one of victory and heartache for what was and what could have been - the enormous legacy left behind which grew into something almost unimaginable. I too looked up to what Duane Allman was as a guitarist who was a legend to many young guitarists such as I was. I took away with Duane's approach which is simple - the music must always come first and let yourself go in your interpretation of it. Thanks for answering the many questions about Duane Allman I had for all of these years.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Please Be with Me?

How even Duane Allman found it very difficult to merge his musical pursuits with the what he seemed to want for himself in his private life. I was impressed by what Donna Roosman Allman went through and how she managed through the craziness of the band family including the many heartaches she had endured.

What does Galadrielle Allman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I hear the hurt, the astonishment and some of the frustration she had faced in her search and yearning to be with her Dad whom she really never knew but seems to have found him. The rampant drug use was amazing to me and it appeared to be amazing to the Galadrielle also.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have loved to if that was at all possible

Any additional comments?

I had looked for this book to be converted to an audible book for quite some time. I am very happy that it finally was and it was worth the wait to have Galadrielle narrate it. Well done. I plan to go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to see Duane's guitar.

A Beautiful Narrative

I was completely absorbed in this story, which weaves the author's own journey into the story of her iconic father.

LOVED!

I loved the story telling and all the detailed moments. Beautifully written and told. I would read/listen to it again.