Raymond Berry Oakley was born in Chicago in 1948. He was originally a guitar player and played in small local bands. When the bass player for Tommy Roe and the Roemans was drafted into the Army, Berry dropped out of high school, took a couple of weeks to learn bass and then filled the vacant position. He toured with the Roemans and eventually ended up in Florda.

Berry started playing with guitarist Dickey Betts in a few different bands before they joined Butch Trucks, Jaimoe Johanson and Duane and Gregg Allman in the Allman Brothers Band.  Berry played a large role in the sound of the Allman Brothers by necessity and also because he had the chops to keep up. In a band with two guitar players and two drummers, there was only one bass player and that bass player had to be exceptional. Berry’s own history as a guitarist is evident in his bass style and allowed him to play an almost featured role in the band. In fact, one of the Allman Brothers’ most iconic riffs is Berry’s bass lead in “Whipping Post”.

After joining the Allman’s, Berry and the band moved to Macon, Georgia where the bandmates shared a house. On October 29, 1971 Duane Allman was killed while riding his motorcycle in Macon.  One year and thirteen days later Berry Oakley was involved in a motorcycle accident only three blocks from the site of Duane’s death.

Berry crashed his 1967 Triumph into the side of a Macon city bus. He was launched from the bike and landed on his head. He was conscious after the accident and refused medical treatment. Three hours later he was rushed from his home to the hospital. Berry died shortly thereafter from cerebral swelling caused by a skull fracture. He was 24 years old and left behind a pregnant wife and a young daughter. He is buried next to Duane in Macon’s Rose Hill Cemetery.

“Whipping Post” live at Fillmore East 1970:

“Ramblin’ Man” off “Brothers and Sisters” 1973:

“Wasted Words” off “Brothers and Sisters” 1973: