Dickey Betts, influential Allman Brothers Band singer, songwriter and guitarist, dead at 80

Dickey Betts, the influential singer, songwriter and guitarist for Southern rock legends the Allman Brothers Band, has died at age 80.

“It’s with profound unhappiness and heavy hearts that the Betts household announce the peaceable passing of Forrest Richard ‘Dickey’ Betts (December 12, 1943 – April 18, 2024) on the age of 80 years outdated,” reads an announcement posted on Betts’ official Instagram web page. “The legendary performer, songwriter, bandleader and household patriarch handed away earlier at this time at his house in Osprey, FL., surrounded by his household.”

“Dickey was bigger than life, and his loss shall be felt world-wide,” the assertion continued. “At this troublesome time, the household asks for prayers and respect for his or her privateness within the coming days.”

Betts co-founded Allman Brothers Band in 1969 together with brothers Duane and Gregg Allman, Berry Oakley, Butch Vehicles and Jaimoe Johanson, releasing their self-titled debut that yr. They went on to develop into one of many pioneering Southern rock bands and have been significantly recognized for his or her touring profession, which included lengthy exhibits stuffed with prolonged jams.

Along with enjoying lead guitar within the band, Betts wrote and sang lead on a number of songs, together with “Ramblin’ Man,” one among their solely top-10 hits, and “Blue Sky.” He additionally composed the band’s well-known instrumental tunes, together with “Jessica” and “In Reminiscence of Elizabeth Reed.”

In an announcement supplied to ABC Information by their publicist, the Allman Brothers Band stated they greeted the information of Betts’ passing “with deep unhappiness.”

“His extraordinary guitar enjoying alongside guitarist Duane Allman created a singular twin guitar signature sound that turned the signature sound of the style often called Southern Rock,” the assertion continued, partly. “He was passionate in life, be it music, songwriting, fishing, searching, boating, golf, karate or boxing. Dickey was all in on and excelled at something that caught his consideration.”

“Betts joins his brothers, Duane Allman, Berry Oakley, Butch Vehicles and Gregg Allman, in addition to ABB crew members Twiggs Lyndon, Joe Dan Petty, Pink Canine, Kim Payne and Mike Callahan in that outdated Winnebago within the sky touring the world taking their music to all who will pay attention,” the assertion concluded. “Play on Brother Dickey, you can be ceaselessly remembered and deeply missed.”

Over time, the Allman Brothers Band went on hiatus, with Betts concentrating on different initiatives, together with a solo profession and forming different bands, together with Nice Southern; Betts, Corridor, Leavell and Vehicles; and the Dickey Betts Band. He was formally ousted from Allman Brothers Band in 2000 and by no means performed with them once more.

Betts was inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame as a member of Allman Brothers Band in 1995.

With Dickey’s loss of life, 79-year-old drummer Jaimoe Johanson is the final dwelling Allman Brothers co-founder.