Duane Allman’s Les Paul Meets Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke): Vault Sessions (S3:E11)

In this episode of the Vault Sessions, Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr meets one of the greatest guitars in rock history—Duane Allman’s 1961 Gibson Les Paul (SG Body-Style). This guitar was originally purchased in 1970 by Dickey Betts at a music store in Gainesville, FL. Later that year, Dickey purchased his 1957 Les Paul Gold Top which he started to favor. Every time Duane went to play slide, he would have to re-tune his guitar to an open tuning, and the band would have to wait, slowing down the flow of the performance. In 1971, Dickie gave the SG to Duane so it could be left in open tuning. This guitar is currently on display at the Songbirds Guitar Museum in Chattanooga, TN. These sessions help keep the music alive by helping the Songbirds Foundation raise money to buy guitars for kids…check out our website to find out more— . Thanks to our sponsors and friends— The George Fontaine Family, The Riverview Foundation, Schillhahn-Huskey Foundation, GHS Strings, and To