Good Clean Fun

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Good Clean Fun" by The Allman Brothers Band, a track from their 1990 album Seven Turns, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it. This song, the lead single from the album, marked a triumphant return for the band after their 1982 breakup. Written by guitarist Dickey Betts, vocalist Gregg Allman, and songwriter Johnny Neel, it hit number one on the Album Rock Tracks chart in 1990. It was the first song since 1971’s “Mountain Jam” where Betts and Allman shared co-writing credits, a nod to their renewed collaboration. Rolling Stone’s David Browne called it “ferocious,” praising its “snarly Betts-Haynes leads” and the dueling drums of Butch Trucks and Jaimoe. The song’s slide guitar hooks and harmonies echoed the band’s classic 1970s sound, with author Alan Paul noting that Warren Haynes and Betts were “resurrecting the classic ABB sound.”

Another cool tidbit is that “Good Clean Fun” was the first Allman Brothers song to get a music video, a rarity for a band that never leaned into MTV culture. The video mixed rehearsal footage with shots of women searching for the band backstage, adding a playful vibe to the song’s gritty energy. It also introduced Warren Haynes and Allen Woody to Allman Brothers fans, as it was their debut on a band record. Scott Freeman, in his book Midnight Riders, wrote that the song “jumped off the disc,” feeling both familiar and fresh. The track’s raw energy came from producer Tom Dowd, who Gregg Allman called an “eighth member” of the band, guiding them to capture their live intensity in the studio.

The Allman Brothers Band formed in 1969 in Jacksonville, Florida, blending blues, jazz, country, and Southern rock into a jam-band style that set them apart. Brothers Duane and Gregg Allman, raised in Daytona Beach after moving from Nashville, were the heart of the group. As teens, they jammed in local rhythm and blues clubs with friend Floyd Miles, bonding over music and shared experiences of being outsiders. Duane’s slide guitar wizardry and Gregg’s soulful vocals defined their sound, joined by Dickey Betts on guitar, Berry Oakley on bass, and drummers Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson. Their first two albums, The Allman Brothers Band (1969) and Idlewild South (1970), built a cult following, but 1971’s live album At Fillmore East made them legends, showcasing epic jams like “Whipping Post.” Despite tragedies like Duane’s death in 1971 and Oakley’s in 1972, the band endured, driven by their improvisational spirit and loyal fanbase.

You can keep up with The Allman Brothers Band on their official website, where they share news like their upcoming February 28, 2025, concert honoring Dickey Betts. Follow them on Facebook for updates and fan discussions, or check out their Instagram for photos and throwbacks. Their X account, run by ABB Merchandising Co., posts about merch and events. Fans can dive deeper at The Allman Brothers Band forum, a lively fan site with show recaps and memories. Join the Allman Brothers Band Fan Group on Facebook for more community vibes, where Zoo Freaks can share their love for “Good Clean Fun” and beyond.