I'm an old man too. And my number is up soon. But I am so grateful to have lived in a time when there was this kind of music. I have listened to this song thousands of times in my life. It always brings me comfort...as I hope it does to you all.
Those of us that grew up in this era were truly blessed by God with so many talented artists of all stripes. Complete your journey. Then go and live forever with the wind in your face.
True., but what a full life he had to pass @ age 80. I loved visiting the bands “Big House” in Macon, GA. Hope to visit Rose Hill Cemetery next time, where the brothers-band could find peace & write songs. Thank you for the beautiful legacy of musical gifts Dickey, we’ll cherish them…forever. R.I.P. Blue Sky’s 🕊️🩵🤍🤍
Accidentally came across this version shortly after my husband passed in 2016. Left me speechless and in tears. The guitar acoustics and singing are beyond mesmerizing. This hauntingly beautiful version can never be copied. Rest in peace Gregg.🌹 It's now 2023 and I find myself still bringing this video up at times. This is a true classic.
I lost my best friend 6 years ago... we were together for 40 years The Good Lord blessed us through thick and thin Jesus has always been my best friend He loves me Hell I get Heaven by His Blood
I appreciate this video so much. The original Allman Brothers in black and white strumming and singing, sitting on the chairs. No version is better than this! Thanks for your comment.
Right here with you Mama. Seems like no matter how bad some days can go, nothing makes it all worth it better than a little Dickie Betts guitar at the end of the day. At least Gregg and Duane are at peace now and back together.
I named my daughter Melissa after this song. She passed away, but when I hear this I think of how happy we were to have her given to us when she was born.
Feel our love and the daughterly love of your sweet Melissa in heaven with God. Your story is beautiful and touching. Let's not be sad anymore. Let's celebrate Sweet Melissa and also the late great Allman brothers. God bless you my friend.
Listening in December 2023, at nearly 61, and thinking how the Lord blessed we who grew up at a time when such as this beautiful music carried our souls on a gentler plane, and made all our lives that much sweeter - a bliss! Timeless!
I'll be 62 in February. Reading your comment had me thinking that I wrote it lol. Yes we grew up in one of the best, if not the best, times for music. Fm radio, records, watching bands cut their teeth in bars. Real musicians. So lucky
Just turned 62. We played that song at my brother's funeral. He LOVED the Allman Brothers. Back when the songs told stories. The band members were actual musicians. The music was pure and honest and it still soothes the soul...
This is when music was music. No computer generated music. No lip syncing. Gregg Allman's contribution to the real music world was phenomenal. Dickie Betts' ability to add to the quality to this, and other Alman Brothers songs, will be enjoyed by music lovers until time stands still. Warren Haynes contribution to the world goes without saying. .Give me a cold beer, some solitude, and music like this, and I'm at peace with the world!
I am Blessed with the best of all music in my life. The Allman Brothers played in some of my High School dances during High School, before recording their first Album. And then played in many Clubs where I grew up. I remember the Van they rode in. It was painted Psychedelic. ❤️ Southern Rock Music!
Don't forget Duane Allman, who died right after I'd spent my first hours listening to Live at the Fillmore East. In Memory of Elizabeth Reed ties with Pink Floyds' Echoes as best rock instrumental.
67 yr old woman who's still in love with this music. RIP Duane, Greg and Dickie. So many going and gone. 😢 Thank you for all of the wonderful music and memories!!
In my 64 years I have seen some of the greatest bands and musicians. The best I’ve ever seen are these 6 white cats. My only regret is I missed Duane. But I have seen every other adoration of this band. From Rook Goldfliese to a 12 year old Derek Trucks to Warren Haines and everyone in between. As good as these 3 guys are they could never match Duane or Gregg when it came right down to it. Those boys had some very SPECIAL DNA from somewhere. RIP boys knowing you left an indelible musical mark on humanity forever. GOD Bless.
Same. Dickey Betts and Warren Haynes are super good too. The original band with Skydog had a vibe that makes weekends in the sun with cold beer just great!
To this young lady melissa,to see someone that misses their dad brings me such joy and pain.my firstborn,a daughter,wont even answer a text. I cried my ass off mam.god i wish the hurt would go away.your dad was so blessed
My parents had a deal when mom was pregnant with me in the 80's. He named my brother and mom would name me. Well, my dad heard this on the radio a couple months before I was born and ran into their bedroom begging her to let him name me Melissa. He won. He's been gone 10 years and every time I hear this, it makes me tear up and think of him. I miss him dearly.
Three great legacies attached to your name - your dad’s , the original little Melissa Gregg saw in the grocery store of whom the song is named after, and Gregg himself. Now you must leave a legacy by living up to your special name. 💙💗💙
My niece was born with a heart disease, she had 3 surgeries since she born and she died in 2 months after her birthday. Her name was Melissa. My sister, her mother, get emotional hearing this song. Me as well... great song, I love this band too!
A sad day to learn the great Dickie Betts has passed on. His guitar filled my soul & my heart. I feel with his passing, the world I knew is slipping away more & more- May he rest in peace. Thank you for sharing your incredible talent with us. 💔🎸
@@sallyewing3185 time slips past us all. One day and sooner than I would like. Someone will read this and I'll be gone. Dickie Betts said it best: " one day we will all be together and we'll all be friends back where it all begins " ( i think that's right )
It’s a simple thing, everybody just put down your damn swords and live in peace and harmony, we are not each other’s enemy but we are our brothers keeper. If these four men can play such a beautiful and simple song we all can too.
My mom's name is Melissa, she just passed away a couple days ago, and we laid her to rest today. It's been hard for us. I came to this song to find comfort, I love the Allman Brothers Band and this has always been one of my favorite songs ever
I am so sorry about your mother and understand your suffering. I lost my sister last year and every time I listen to this song, I think of her playing guitar while I sang it. I hope she's now with Gregg and Duane playing her guitar with them...we have to move on, anyway. Stay strong! From Rome, Italy.
I’m 23, and this is the best guitar solo I’ve ever heard - almost makes me want to cry. What I would give to have seen it live! My kids will watch this, I’ll make sure of it.
I saw the Allman Betts band open up for government mule and my boys blackberry smoke. Warren played with Duane Betts , Dickies son, and Devon Allman Duanes nephew. Crazy how amazing that night in Cincinnati was. And Charlie Starr topped off the evening like no other .
I just saw Gov't Mule on July 29th at Bethel Woods with Willie Nelson's Outlaw Festival and they played Melissa. Warren still plays and sings so strongly! ❤️
Hello Thanks for your lovely like and comments on my page, it’s great to know I have such a devoted fan like you. Much appreciated where are you from? How long have you been my fan.💋🌹😍❤️🌹
My dad having grown up in this generations he blessed me with this beautiful music and just like Indiana Jones I continue to search for funk soul psychedelic Rock and everything in between
I'm an old man now, but I'm feel lucky growing up in the 60s & 70's listening to great original bands and their unique music! This is a fantastic acoustic version of Melissa! Sinn Fein Thanks
No doubt about it. We grew up in the best of times! I didn’t know it at the time but looking back it was a great time to be alive. Technology is killing freedom. The American dream is fading away!
@@mapleva 55 signing in , yes they were the best of times we see our grandchildren and they might never know the freedoms we no longer have. Good times
I'm a young man and I feel lucky to have the technology we have to do today so that I may be transported to a time that makes me feel like an old man, at home.
Now that my life is almost over I have known love and I have seen death. I have witnessed the beauty of man and the sorrow of despair. I am glad I was here to hear this. I am at peace.
Im glad you were here too. And I'm grateful to have shared this world with you during the same blink of time's eye. You bearing witness makes the journey more 'real' and more beautiful. Sawubona
I'm from Asheville, too, so thought I was just being prejudiced, but was thinking, "Warren fits in so well with them, always great, but never wanting to take the spotlight away from Dickie or Gregg"
I read Greggs memoir “My Cross To Bear” excellent read! The name “Melissa” came from a lady in a grocery store who was looking for her daughter who was lost. She kept yelling Melissa up and down the isles, Gregg was at the cash register and heard her. He’d already written the song but couldn’t come up with a name that fit his lyrics. When he heard “Melissa”, he knew that was it! Just a bit of trivia for you folks.
I lived and worked in Macon Georgia for a decade in the 90's. the surgery department windows faced the sidewalk that bordered the soul restaurant the Allman Brothers frequented. It was financed by them to a black woman who owned it because of them. They were commonly seen eating there.
Probably the best rendition I’ve ever listened to. Greg and Dickey are and will always be a sign of those times..., long ago now but never forgotten. Now in the autumn of life I will listen to these songs and others like them into the eternities.
Gosh.....reading these comment are just so wonderful. I'm that old guy too. Love to play the chords for this song.... Love to play this video over and over.... Can never get enough. It's fresh every time I que it up...... Thanks Greg, Dicky and Warren for the best memories!
I'm so glad that I am an old fart and heard this music when it was new and exciting. Still is, but we live in such terrible times. Please just take me back about 50 years.
Wow! Beautiful ❤️ song, ❤️ so many girls named Melissa because of this beauty I can't decide whether the guitar is prettier or him singing but they both sound so damn good together ❤️ it's almost to much goosebumps 😅😅😅😅😅
As a millenial (37) I can vouch that there are still people of a younger generation that really do appreciate music of this caliber, and true raw talent. The first time I heard Gregg perform Midnight Rider live I had the same feeling as when I first saw Neil Young perform Old Man live at Massey Hall in '71 and Toy Caldwell play live in '73 on that black and white video floating around RU-vid. I was lucky enough to have been one of the last of us that grew up without staring at an ipad screen and was forced to listen to all of my dad's music and actually pay attention to it. I didn't know at the time how lucky I really was, but I am forever thankful for that.
Amen to that, ATLbench!! If my baby had lived....he'd have known every song and every word of their music and would know how to pray.... God bless you!
R.I.P. Dickey Betts. One of my favorite guitar players. Was a damn good player, and had a killer sound. We lost another one of the legends today. He will be missed🎶🎸
Is there anyone on that stage that has not departed this Earth...?! We are so blessed that we can go back in time and visit our favorite musicians....The Allman Brothers being among my favorites.
I was 23 years old when this was released in 1972. I lost count of the times I've listened to this. Now at 75, it's more beautiful than ever. Thanks for the memories.
I agree wholeheartedly! Sad we lost Dickie this year in 2024! Legends never really die, they live on in our hearts and souls ... thanks for the music, my men, I miss you both so very much! 😥(Cherie)
I'm 65yo. I may not remember what I walked into the room for but I remember everything about the concerts I saw them at. . They set a standard no one has been able to touch.
Duane gone,,,,Greg gone,,, and many others.!!! TRULY THE END OF AN ERA....Being a baby boomer sure was a great time to live in the usa.WOW!!!!!...What a time we had,,an to go to a concert was only 5 bucks,you could bring in ur own coolers of beer and pass around joints
I am Greek. Unfortunately, not too many people know Allman Brothers in Greece. But I was fortunate enough to live in New Mexico as a student and was introduced to their divine music. Saw them in 2006 in Atlantic City. Such an experience.
One of the most beautiful songs ever written RIP Dickey Betts,you have touched so many hearts and souls ❤Thank you for your legacy of a song book that will last forever
These were the times of my life...growing up a Southern boy from Arkansas listening to the Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Innocent times as a young teen loving this music. There is absolute magic in Gregg's voice, may he RIP
Perry Arrington I am a 77 year old woman, born and raised in NYC. Moved to FL in my early 20s. Loved the late 60s and 70s Rick bands. Allman Bros. will always be right up there as one of my all time favorites.
@@dianehaumann I've just turned 60. So you likely understand and appreciate Southern Rock more than I do.Those were some great times. Times I'll take with me until my last breath. Not trying to be morbid, but there comes a time where a person realizes they won't be here forever. So cherish every memory of every day.
@@perryarrington8446 I too am an Arkansas boy and will be 61 next month. Love the classic southern rock all that you mentioned and Molly Hatchett, ZZ Top, and CDB.
I grew up in North East Ohio (Akron) in the 70''s and I always really dug Southern Rock Marshall Tucker, Skynyrd and then my brother and I took a trip to Myrtle beach and I saw the Allman Brothers play in a bar Melissa and Midnight Rider just blew me away. It broke my heart when I heard Gregg had passed I don't think that Gregg will rest in heaven because now he can jam with Duane again Peace Brothers
Me too allman brothers, Lynyrd skynyrd, Marshall tucker, black foot,made a poor southern youth proud ,blessings from starrmountain in south east Tennessee
Pure pain, pure loneliness, pure love. Greg wrote this before 20 years old. The soul knows the future. This song reaches into the soul and stills the ghost inside. RIP Mr Allman Not to many men on this earth who could bear the life he lived and he lived it 100 times over. And yea, Warren and Dicky tear it up. Real humans making real music. Doesnt get better.
At 1:34 .............tears stream down my eyes thinking that these two amazing souls are no longer with us ...............................................
Wow. So many to choose from. A few of my faves atm would be david rawlings solo on miss ohio w/ gillian welch. steve howe the clap, lindsay buckingham big love, skip james hard times, nancy wilson intro to crazy on you, neil young 1971 @ massey hall. No pun intended. AIC would, unplugged.
Man, I'm so glad I grew up during this time in American history. We had some problems, but overall these were the best times in our country. The music was SO good and still is. Cruising around with your girl and Allman Brothers playing... man they were good times. I sure miss those days!
I as well miss those times. I wasn't around at the time of this music, but shortly after and the tail end of classic rock. I seem to have not been able to drift far away from this style. It's got a bit of everything in it, but one thing that it has that so much lacks nowadays, is heart....and soul.
First saw the Allman Brothers in 1969 at Berry College. I've been a fan ever since. I'm in a battle with stage 4 cancer that has spread to my bones. I've watched this video hundreds of times; listened to this song hundreds more. I can't tell you how much pleasure it has brought me. The best rendition of one of the best songs ever. Rest in Peace Brothers.
@@johnbruno3285 Be careful! I thought I found my Melisa (her real name), who was quite beautiful with a great personality, but unfortunately she had some pretty serious mental issues. Apparently she suffered from sexual abuse at the hands of her father as a teenager. We tried, but is just didn't work out.
Yes sir indeed...Dickey contributed so much. He and Gregg became one...when they hit a groove. I was very sad when...I guess because of his rebel ways...Dickie had to leave the band... Not only a great guitarist...an incredible songwriter as well
The most underrated usaan guitarist for sure. The most underrated is Koss, even Clapton begged a young Koss for a lesson on Vibrato. Duane and Dickey are for me by farcthe best usaan guitarists.
My “daughter” by marriage was named Melissa. In the past 3 years I’ve lost her mom and my daughter. I miss and love them more than you could imagine. It brings tears of joy and sadness. Thank you for reading and what a beautiful song for a beautiful spirt with all my 💜.
Ur such a strong human being my man, gives me hope reading that you're still hangin on after those darkest days. Hope you keep being such an amazing example of strenght and determination like you are right now, may God be forever with you brother. Greetings from Brazil
Yeah, cuz they belted that out w/o practicing it . If memory serves me, had not even seen each other until show time. Nobody bends steel like those 4-5 men peeiod
Yvonne Laurenty I believe this was way before fist bumps were even thought of. Plus I can’t see any of the Allman Bro’s. Doing a “ Fist Bump “. I think it would’ve been just not rite. It’s definitely a nice like “ Alrite Man “ handshake. 🙏
I can only hope that music eventually gets back to something that can actually make you feel something, some emotion, like this did for me. I'm very thankful that I grew up listening to music like this.
Condolences for your loss Miss Brown My daughter's name is Melissa too. The Allman Bros are still bringing people together over their great music. Have a great life and do your dad proud...
Waisted words already been heard ....but it's impossible to not repeat ....oh how well you made the music the words the audience and your soul for me and all to listen by choice to every note and word. Of your music. Waisted words no never......thank you for the good times I have had listening to and loving your music thank you. .all if you
Yes this is indeed in my opinion is the greatest acoustic version with Dickey picking with whole heart & soul. Never gets old even though l was listening to the Allman Brothers @ age14. I’m 62 respectively. Thankful to God Almighty everyday.
It doesn’t get any better than this. It’s always been my favorite Allman Brothers song. I come here and listen to this often. Sometimes I even cast it to my tv, and turn it up. 63 years old here. RIP Gregg. You are definitely missed, and your music haunts my soul. ❤
