Today in 1972

[The Chameleon]

November 11, 1972

Allman Brothers bassist Berry Oakley dies of a brain tumor after being thrown 20 feet in a motorcycle accident. The crash occurred just three blocks from where bandmate Duane Allman had been killed the year before.

[Jaimoe]

November 11, 1972

Allman Brothers bassist Berry Oakley dies of a brain tumor after being thrown 20 feet in a motorcycle accident.

?

[bradm]

It wasn't a brain tumor. From his Wiki entry:

On November 11, 1972, Oakley was involved in a motorcycle accident with a Macon bus, just three blocks from where Duane had a fatal accident the year before. Oakley said he was okay after the accident, declined medical treatment, and went back to The Big House. Just three hours later, he was taken to the hospital and died of a skull fracture.

Aloha,

Brad

[Jaimoe]

From Hittin' The Web:

A Thunderous Spirit

Berry Oakley's thundering bass and charismatic on-stage presence often overshadow the fact that he was a very reflective, idealistic and results-oriented person. It's well known that his musical journey led him from Chicago to Florida, where he hooked up with Dickey Betts, played in The Second Coming, met Duane Allman, and joined the Allman Brother Band. What's not so well known is that Berry established a communal lifestyle in Florida.

When the Allman Brothers Band moved to Macon, it was Berry who found a house they could live, rehearse, celebrate and withdraw to together. He encouraged sit-down family dinners at least once a week and felt very strongly that everyone in their extended family give back something to their adopted home. While the constant-touring of the Allman Brothers Band limited their civic involvement, it was not uncommon to see stories and photos of their wives and girlfriends in the Macon newspaper recording their involvement with some worthy local cause.

On November 11, 1972, Berry was riding with Kim Payne, a member of the road crew, when he took his Triumph motorcycle into a curve too fast and hit a Macon City bus. Immediately after the accident Berry said he was fine and refused treatment. Later that evening, he was taken to the same hospital. He had suffered a skull fracture and died.

A resolution designating a portion of State Highway 19 in Macon as "Duane Allman Boulevard" and a bridge thereon as "Raymond Berry Oakley III Bridge" in honor and remembrance of late founding members of the Allman Brothers Band has been passed.

[deranger]

RIP BERRY - you still the man Berry - the music lives on forever.

[The Chameleon]

November 11' date=' 1972

Allman Brothers bassist Berry Oakley dies of a brain tumor after being thrown 20 feet in a motorcycle accident.

[/quote']

?

I simply cut and pasted this text from Allmusic guide. I assume what they meant, was Oakley got hit by the bus, survived, went home and subsequently died from the tumor/anurism/hemmerage the crash brought on.

Any whcih way he's gone which is too bad for sure.

[hamilton]

Of course, tumors are caused by cancer, not by hitting your head...

Still, RIP...