Duane Allman was far beyond his years as a unique talent playing his guitar. As a youth he purchased a guitar which he bought from selling the parts of a motorcycle that he wrecked. After playing backup guitar for numerous musicians of various genres, he organized the Allman Brothers Band. The group released its first album in September 1969. The band pioneered Southern Rock & Roll, achieving quick success that paved the way for other bands in the region, like Lynyrd Skynyrd. Duane's father was murdered when he was very young. His mother took him and his brother Gregg from Norfolk, Virginia to Daytona Beach, Florida, where the boys were raised.