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Former Allman Brothers Band Drummer David “Frankie” Toler Remembered

By Wade Tatangelo

Deep down in Florida, a superb celebration took place in honor of former Allman Brothers Band drummer David “Frankie” Toler. Shortly before he passed last month after a prolonged illness following a liver transplant in 2009, Frankie told loved ones he didn’t want a glum memorial service. Instead, he requested a “big, blast-off jam.” Frankie’s last wish was granted Saturday, June 25, 2011.

Older sibling Dan Toler, the guitar hero who played with Frankie in the Allman Brothers Band, the Gregg Allman Band, Dickey Betts’ Great Southern group, and several other projects, led the righteous send off. He took the stage not long after the sun had dipped below the dense tree line in rural Southwest Florida. Although barely able to speak because of a swollen vocal cord, Dan began his set with a moving prayer that ended with a message of gratitude. Seated due to other health issues, the grieving brother then blessed everyone packed into and around the juke joint-style shed with one sizzling, emotive guitar lick after another on the ABB classic “Hot ’Lanta.”

Percussionist Chaz Trippy — who played with his best friends Frankie and Dan in the Gregg Allman Band from 1982 to ’89 — helped organize the commemorative concert along with local blues lovers Tom Mossman and Angie Vail Cook. Gary Guzzardo, who replaced Frankie in the Marshall Tucker Band during the 1990s, augmented Trippy’s spot-on congas work. Dan’s longtime collaborator Johnny Townsend handled vocal duties on moving renditions of Allman faves like “I’m No Angel” — Gregg’s smash 1987 solo single featuring the Toler brothers and Trippy — as well as “Midnight Rider” and “Statesboro Blues.”

Dickey Betts first hired Frankie for his 1978 Great Southern album Atlanta’s Burning Down and the subsequent tour. He then brought him into ABB for the band’s 1981 album Brothers of the Road, which produced the Top 40 hit “Straight from the Heart.” Betts couldn’t attend Saturday because he was not feeling well, according to a close friend of his. But Great Southern members Mike Kach (keyboard/vocals), Frankie Lombardi (drums/vocals), and Mark Serio (guitar) enhanced the festivities in honor of their pal Frankie.

In between the seven hours of potent live performances, everything from Blues Revue subscriptions to dinner certificates were raffled off to raise funds for Frankie’s widow Marsha and their daughter Aja Kayle. Delicious barbecue dishes were also sold.

More than three hundred friends and admirers — most equipped with coolers and folding chairs — attended the invitation-only event. It took place on the grounds of the recording/rehearsal facility Mossman Barn. Nestled in wonderful old Florida backwoods country, just east of Blues Revue’s new headquarters in Bradenton, the property provided a beautiful canopy of live oaks and Spanish moss dotted with soul-shine stars

Prior to Dan Toler’s main set, everyone congregated outside in front of a large, inflatable screen. Trippy had procured a pristine, unreleased DVD of the Gregg Allman Band performing at Daytona Beach in 1987. On it, the group delivers a riveting “Whipping Post” with a mesmerizing breakdown featuring the Toler brothers and Trippy adroitly playing off each other while exchanging loving smiles. It’s unlike any other version the Brothers or Allman has released. Everybody under the Spanish moss cheered as if we were right there watching Frankie again on stage.

“This is exactly what he wanted,” whispered the recently widowed Marsha.

Wade Tatangelo is a features writer/columnist for the Bradenton Herald. Parent company McClatchy Newspapers regularly publishes his work nationwide. Wade would enjoy seeing your comments below.