From their album “Eat A Peach” the Allman Brothers most recognizable song is arguably “Melissa”. Who was Melissa you may ask? Gregg Allman gave the history of this song’s origin to the San Luis Obispo Tribune on Nov. 30, 2006:
“I wrote that song in 1967 in a place called the Evergreen Hotel in Pensacola, Fla. By that time I got so sick of playing other people’s material that I just sat down and said, ‘OK, here we go. One, two, three – we’re going to try to write songs.’ And about 200 songs later – much garbage to take out – I wrote this song called ‘Melissa.’
“And I had everything but the title…So one night I was in the grocery store – it was my turn to go get the tea, the coffee, the sugar and all that other s–t… and there was this Spanish lady there and she had this little toddler with her – this little girl. And I’m sitting there, getting a few things and what have you. And this little girl takes off, running down the aisle. And the lady yells, Oh, Melissa! Melissa, come back, Melissa!’ And I went, ‘Oh – that’s it’!”
No, the song is not “Sweet Melissa” it’s just “Melissa.”
Did y’all know Melissa is also a flower? It’s found in the U.K. (botanical Name Melissa officianalis) and the essence of oil in this flower can be used to mist your skin replenishing its moisture and restoring its healthy glow. Seems like Melissa did the same for this Allman brother.