Chimes at midnight: #9 "Midnight Rider" Allman Brothers Band (1971)

Tweet

A southern rock classic from the ultimate southern rock group the Allman Brothers Band. “Midnight Rider” would become Gregg Allman’s signature song. “But I’m not gonna let ‘em catch me, no Not gonna let ‘em catch the midnight rider” The band was at the Idlewild South farmhouse outside of Macon. Allman was smoking weed when coming up with the song. Robert Kim Payne was credited a co-writer. From the album “Idlewild South,” “Midnight Rider” was released as a single that did not chart. The B side was another Allman classic “Whipping Post.” That is Dickie Betts on lead guitar and Duane Allman on acoustic guitar. In 1973, Allman’s solo version charted at Billboard #19. Joe Cocker’s 1972 cover reached #27 while Willie Nelson’s 1980 cover hit #6 country. “Midnight Rider” has been covered by a variety of styles like the Drifters, Patti Smith, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Seger, UB40 and Alison Kraus.