Legendary guitarist Dickey Betts, a co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band and the writer of their iconic hit "Ramblin' Man," has passed away at the age of 80.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer died at his residence in Osprey, Florida, as confirmed by David Spero, Betts' manager of two decades. Spero mentioned that Betts had been fighting cancer for over a year and was also dealing with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
"He was surrounded by his entire family and he passed away peacefully. They believed he was not experiencing any pain," Spero shared over the phone.
Betts, alongside Duane Allman, shared lead guitar responsibilities in the original Allman Brothers Band, contributing to the group's unique sound and helping to establish a new genre known as Southern rock. Numerous artists, from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Kid Rock, drew inspiration from the Allmans' music, which blended blues, country, R&B, and jazz with the rock of the '60s.
Formed in 1969, the Allmans were trailblazers in the realm of jam bands, shattering the conventional idea of three-minute pop songs by delivering extensive compositions during live performances and on albums. The band was also noteworthy for being a racially diverse group hailing from the American South.
The Allman Brothers Band: A Brief History
- Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident in 1971, and founding member Berry Oakley was killed in a motorcycle crash a year later.
- That left Betts and Allman's younger brother Gregg as the band's leaders, but they frequently clashed, and substance abuse caused further dysfunction.
- The band broke up at least twice before reforming, and has had more than a dozen lineups.
The Allman Brothers Band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and earned a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2012. Betts left the group for good in 2000, and also played solo and with his own band Great Southern, which included his son, guitarist Duane Betts.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Forrest Richard Betts was born Dec. 12, 1943, and was raised in the Bradenton, Florida, area, near the highway 41 he sang about in "Ramblin' Man." His family had lived in area since the mid-19th century.
Betts grew up listening to country, bluegrass and Western swing, and played the ukulele and banjo before focusing on the electric guitar because it impressed girls. At 16 he left home for his first road trip, joining the circus to play in a band.
Formation of the Allman Brothers Band
He returned home, and with bassist Oakley joined a group that became the Jacksonville, Florida-based band Second Coming. One night in 1969 Betts and Oakley jammed with Duane Allman, already a successful session musician, and his younger brother, and together they formed the Allman Brothers Band.
In 1969, the group relocated to Macon, Georgia, and introduced their self-titled debut album. The following year, they released "Idlewild South," which featured Betts' instrumental piece "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed," a track that quickly became a staple in their concerts.
The 1971 double album "At Fillmore East," now regarded as one of the greatest live albums of the classic rock era, marked the Allmans' breakthrough in the commercial scene. It solidified their reputation as performers by showcasing the unique guitar interplay between Allman and Betts. Allman's bluesy slide guitar style contrasted with Betts' country-influenced solos and vocals. When combined in harmony, their playing created a distinctive sound.
The band boasted two drummers - "Jaimoe" Johanson, who is Black, and Butch Trucks.
Following Duane Allman's passing just four days after "Fillmore" was certified gold, the band persevered, and their fan base continued to expand. Their 1973 album "Brothers and Sisters" topped the charts and included the hit "Ramblin' Man," where Betts took the lead vocals, infusing a twang that propelled the song to No. 2 on the singles charts, narrowly missing the top spot to "Half Breed" by Cher, who would later marry Gregg Allman.
The mesmerizing sound of Betts' guitar on "Ramblin' Man" echoed through local bars across the nation for years, showcasing his talent for crafting melodic hooks. While "Ramblin' Man" stood as the Allmans' sole Top Ten hit, Betts' infectious 7½-minute instrumental piece "Jessica," recorded in 1972, became a mainstay on FM radio.
Betts also penned or co-wrote some of the band's most beloved tracks, such as "Blue Sky" and "Southbound." In the later years, the group continued to thrive as a touring powerhouse with Betts and Warren Haynes on guitar. The passing of Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks in 2017 marked a somber chapter for the band.
Following his departure from the Allmans, Betts carried on performing with his own band and resided in the Bradenton area alongside his wife, Donna.
