Dickey Betts, the co-founder and guitarist of The Allman Brothers Band, has died of cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Osprey, Florida at the age of 80. His manager confirmed the news to Rolling Stone Magazine. A family statement read “Dickey was larger than life, and his loss will be felt worldwide.” The statement also requested privacy and prayers during this difficult time.
Betts played for the band from 1969 alongside Duane Allman as joint lead guitarist, then later as the sole lead guitarist until Duane passed away in 1971. Betts was the writer behind most of the band’s work, including 1973’s ‘Rambin’ Man’, their highest charting hit, as well as the instrumental ‘Jessica’ which was later used by the BBC as the theme song for Top Gear. Born Forrest Richard Betts on December 12, 1943, he started playing the ukulele at the age of five. As a teenager, he was part of a series of rock bands in his home state of Florida. It was there that he met Berry Oakley with whom he played in the band Second Coming.
The Allman Brothers Band was based in Macon, Georgia, and became synonymous with Southern rock, defining the genre in their unique way, with Betts and Duane Allman blending country and blues influences into their classic rock sound. They enjoyed both commercial and critical success with their albums At Fillmore East in 1971 and Eat a Peach in 1972. The latter album was a tribute to Duane, who had passed away in a motorcycle accident. The band would continue to play until 2014, with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
Dickey went on to record various solo albums under different names including Richard Betts, Dickey Betts & Great Southern and the Dickey Betts Band. His death is a significant loss to both music lovers worldwide and the genre he helped define
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