_Photo by Bill Kelly_

Warren Haynes has shared some new insights on the dissolution of the Allman Brothers Band, who called it quits last October after 45 years as a band. The guitarist posted an excerpt from an upcoming piece in Guitar Player, in which he explains the reasoning behind the band’s decision.

Haynes told the publication:

The way that actually went down is very confusing. During several meetings over about a three-year span, the band decided to call it quits after the 45th anniversary. As it got closer and closer to fruition, at least one band member started getting cold feet—but keeping it together wasn’t a possibility for Derek or I. We had already made plans well beyond the next year or two.

It all came about when [Allman Brothers drummer] Butch [Trucks] ‘accidentally on purpose’ told a small group of people on a Jam Cruise that Derek was leaving the band, which was not true. Writers from Relix and Rolling Stone were on the boat. They called ABB manager Bert Holman, who claimed he didn’t know anything about it.

‘We’ll give you a few days to sort it out,’ they said, ‘but we’re going to have to write something.’

‘I feel like I’ve got to make a statement either way,’ Derek told me on the phone.

‘For five or six years we’ve been saying that if one of us left the band, then we would both leave, because neither wants to be there without the other,’ I responded.

So we decided to make a joint statement, even though it convoluted the truth that it was a group decision to stop in 2014. It turned into an interpretation that he and I made that decision. People eventually saw so many different statements that nobody knew what to believe.

Here’s a look back at the statements that Haynes and Derek Trucks released following Butch’s announcement during Jam Cruise 13.

As previously reported, Haynes recently revealed some details on his forthcoming album Ashes and Dust, which finds the virtuoso guitarist teaming up with progressive bluegrass outfit Railroad Earth. Haynes has also announced a run of tour dates with RRE, including stops at Gathering of the Vibes and the Peach Music Festival. Additionally, Haynes has confirmed his first-ever appearance at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry and released a new tune from Ashes and Dust titled “Company Man.”

In related news, Haynes celebrate guitar legend Les Paul’s 100th birthday at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City last Tuesday. Haynes played “Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home” and “Soulshine” at the event, which also featured appearances by Joe Bonamassa, Joe Satriani, Steve Miller an more. All of the guitarists on hand also teamed up for an ensemble jam that was based around “I’m Tore Down.”