TRIBUTE


GREGG ALLMAN (Timothy Dwenger Photo)


by Michael Buffalo Smith I will never forget where I was on


August 16, 1977 when I heard the news via WORD radio that the “King of rock and roll,” Elvis Presley, had died. I was turning off of Blackstock road into the Westgate Mall here in Spartanburg, SC. I was on my way to buy the latest Gregg Allman band LP, Playin’ Up a Storm.When Billy Mack announced that Elvis was dead, I nearly ran my car off of the road. I managed to make my way to the park- ing lot, where I just sat in the car and cried off and on for 30 minutes. When I finally made it inside to Record Bar, it seemed everyone was talking about Elvis, many through tear filled eyes. I got my Gregg Allman album and left. The death of Elvis had hit me harder than any


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musical or celebrity death ever. That was, until 40 years later. I was standing in line at Phoenix Comi-


con to meet Dick Van Dyke on May 27, 2017 when I received a text message on my iPhone. I was so upset at the time, I am not sure which friend told me first. It may have come from Gregg’s friend and personal assistant Chank Middleton. The Midnight Rider was gone. I felt numb. The texts and emails kept coming all day long. I was just going through the motions at the convention the rest of the day. Like a zombie, I put one foot in front of the other. I knew Gregory was in bad shape. He


had had major health problems that only seemed to get worse after a liver transplant. Only a tight circle of family and friends knew


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