On a crisp October night in Patchogue, the Friends of the Brothers brought the timeless spirit of the Allman Brothers Band roaring back to life at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts. With a lineup deeply intertwined with the ABB legacy, the band delivered a night steeped in Southern soul, blues-rock fire, and the kind of musical brotherhood that only comes from living the music you play.
A Band Built from the Source
Friends of the Brothers isn’t a typical tribute act—it’s an extension of the Allman Brothers’ lineage. Each member’s background ties directly to the original band. Guitarist and vocalist Andy Aledort spent more than a decade performing with Dickey Betts, while Junior Mack, also on guitar and vocals, has fronted Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band for 12 years.
The group’s authenticity runs deep. Guitarist and singer Alan Paul, author of One Way Out: The Inside History of the Allman Brothers Band, provides both historical insight and emotional connection to the music. The rhythm section—anchored by drummers Dave Diamond and Lee Finkelstein, bassist Craig Privett, and keyboardist Mike Katzman (Leslie Mendelsohn, The Electrix)—gave the performance its heartbeat. Diamond, a founding member of the Zen Tricksters, has shared stages with Bob Weir, Derek Trucks, and Robert Randolph, while Finkelstein (of Tower of Power) added crisp, syncopated drive. Privett’s bass lines provided a steady foundation, and Katzman’s tasteful keyboard work brought warmth and texture to the band’s sound. Together, they recreated the Allman Brothers’ spirit with authenticity and soul.
Keeping the Music Flowing
From the start, the band found their groove and stayed there all night. The interplay between Aledort and Mack on guitar was effortless, and Katzman’s keys filled the mix with bluesy depth and color. Privett’s bass held everything together while Diamond and Finkelstein drove the rhythm with a dynamic, dual-drum approach that paid homage to the classic Allman Brothers sound.
Throughout the night, the band touched on fan favorites like “Blue Sky,” “Midnight Rider,” “One Way Out,” “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” and “Whipping Post.” Each song was performed with care, skill, and a genuine respect for the original arrangements, allowing the music to feel both familiar and freshly alive.
Continuing the Legacy
Friends of the Brothers aren’t just preserving history—they’re carrying it forward. Their performances feel both reverent and alive, infused with the spontaneity that defined the Allman Brothers Band.
For fans who missed the Patchogue show, the band will return to Long Island this February at the Landmark Theatre—another chance to experience the enduring heartbeat of Southern rock through the hands of those who lived it.
For more information, visit friendsofthebrothers.com.
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