One Way Out (Live 1971)

Zoo Freaks, you’re tuned into THE ZOO with the Zoo Crew, your favorite hippie DJs, spinning the righteous vibes of The Allman Brothers Band with their killer track “One Way Out” from the iconic Eat a Peach album. This blues-rock banger, recorded live at the Fillmore East on June 27, 1971, captures the band at their peak, with Duane Allman’s blistering bottleneck slide guitar and Gregg Allman’s soulful vocals telling the tale of a man caught in a sticky situation, sneaking out to avoid a jealous husband. Fun fact: this song is a cover of a blues classic by Sonny Boy Williamson II, reworked with that signature Allman Brothers grit. Producer Tom Dowd picked this take for Eat a Peach because it was their definitive performance, punchy and dynamic, clocking in at just under five minutes—perfect for radio but still packing that live jam energy. You can feel the band’s chemistry, even with a slight hiccup where bassist Berry Oakley jumps in a beat early after a guitar trade, but the drummers flip the beat to cover it like the pros they were.

Dig this wild story: “One Way Out” has lived beyond the stage, popping up in films like The Departed and Almost Famous, but there’s a quirky rumor floating around the r/allmanbrothers Reddit community claiming it’s about Gregg Allman’s affair with John Densmore of The Doors’ girlfriend. While that’s likely just fan gossip, it adds a layer of intrigue to the song’s sneaky narrative. Another gem from the Songfacts page: this was one of Duane Allman’s final performances before his tragic motorcycle accident in October 1971, making it a bittersweet snapshot of his genius. Fans on Amazon reviews of Alan Paul’s book One Way Out: The Inside History of the Allman Brothers Band rave about how the song showcases the band’s ability to take a blues standard and make it their own, with Dickey Betts laying down a boogie vamp and Duane soaring over it.

Let’s rewind to how The Allman Brothers Band got their start. Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969, the band was the brainchild of brothers Duane and Gregg Allman, who grew up steeped in music, from R&B to blues. Duane, a session guitarist at Muscle Shoals, was already a legend, playing with artists like Aretha Franklin before he decided to form his own band. He recruited Dickey Betts on guitar, Berry Oakley on bass, and drummers Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson, blending blues, rock, and jazz into a sound that defined Southern rock, though they hated that label. Their early gigs around the South honed their epic live jams, and by the time they dropped their debut album, The Allman Brothers Band, in 1969, they were building a cult following. It was their 1971 live album At Fillmore East that catapulted them to fame, showcasing their improvisational magic. Tragically, Duane’s death in 1971 and Oakley’s a year later tested the band, but they carried on, cementing their legacy with albums like Eat a Peach.

For all you Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, check out the band’s official website at allmanbrothersband.com, where you can snag merch and explore their discography. Connect with fellow fans on their Facebook page, follow their Instagram for throwback photos, and catch updates on X. For fan communities, the r/allmanbrothers subreddit is buzzing with discussions, and the Allman Brothers Band Family Facebook group is a great spot to share memories and find tribute band gigs. If you’re craving more, Hittin’ The Web is a fan site with forums and rare photos, keeping the Allman spirit alive. Keep it locked to THE ZOO, Zoo Freaks, for more righteous tunes!