Howard Duane Allman (November 20, 1946 – October 29, 1971) was an American guitarist, session musician, co-founder and leader of The Allman Brothers Band until his death in a motorcycle accident in 1971 at the age of 24.The Allman Brothers Band was formed in 1969 and based in the Southeastern United States. In the early 1970s, the band had major success.