Gregg Allman: Last Conversation With Brother Duane Was Argument Over Cocaine

Duane Allman's sudden motorcycle accident that took his life in 1971 was tragic and shocking. Now, the story of the Allman Brothers Band has taken an even sadder turn. In his memoir, My Cross to Bear, Gregg Allman recalls the last conversation he had with his older brother and bandmate: The morning before Duane's fatal crash the two had an argument over cocaine.

In the book, Allman explains that he'd given his brother $100 to buy a gram of coke. When Duane failed to deliver the drugs, Gregg snuck into the guitarist's house and "poured out about half a gram and snorted it up," for recompense. Later, Duane phoned the singer, accusing him of taking his drugs, which Gregg flatly denied.

"That last thing I ever said to my brother was a f---ing lie, man: 'No, I did not,' I told him," he remembers.

Duane apologized, saying, "I sure do love ya, baybrah," Allman writes. "That was the last time I ever spoke to my brother.

"I have thought of that lie every day of my life, and I just keep recrucifying myself for it. I know that's not what he would want -- well, not for long anyway. I know he lied to me about the blow in the first place.

"But the thing is, I never got the chance to tell him the truth."

My Cross to Bear hit bookshelves on May 1.