The Allman Brothers Band guitarist and singer Dickey Betts has died aged 80, his household introduced.
The musician, who was recognized for writing one of many band’s greatest hits, Ramblin’ Man, which appeared on their 1973 album Brothers and Sisters.
Betts shared lead guitar duties with Duane Allman, who died in a motorbike accident in 1971, within the unique Allman Brothers Band to assist in giving the group its distinctive sound and create a brand new style – Southern rock.
Acts starting from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Child Rock had been influenced by the Allmans’ music, which mixed the blues, nation, R&B and jazz with sixties rock.
Based in 1969, the Allmans had been a pioneering jam band, trampling the normal notion of three-minute pop songs by performing prolonged compositions in live performance and on file.
Duane Allman’s brother Gregg performed keys and supplied distinctive vocals, with the band additionally comprising a pair of drummers and bassist Berry Oakley.
Their self-titled first LP was launched in November 1969, however they achieved their business breakthrough in 1971 once they launched the album At Fillmore East.
Alongside Ramblin’ Man, Betts additionally wrote and co-wrote a few of the band’s different best-loved songs, together with Blue Sky and Southbound.
A 12 months after Duane Allman’s loss of life, founding member Oakley was additionally killed in a motorbike crash.
Within the following years, the band launched new members, ventured into solo careers and cut up and reformed a number of instances.
From left: Dickey Betts with fellow Allman Brothers Band members Duane Allman, Berry Oakley, Butch Vans, Gregg Allman and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson in an undated photograph. Pic: AP
In 1995 they had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame and received a Grammy Award for finest rock instrumental efficiency for Jessica the next 12 months.
The group additionally earned the Grammy lifetime achievement award in 2012.
Betts left the band for good in 2000, a 12 months after their thirtieth anniversary.
He continued to play together with his personal band, Nice Southern, which included his son Duane Betts.
Confirming Dickey Bett’s loss of life, his supervisor of 20 years, David Spero, advised the Related Press information company he had been battling in opposition to most cancers for greater than a 12 months and had power obstructive pulmonary illness.
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An announcement posted to Betts’ social media mentioned: “It’s with profound disappointment 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.
“The legendary performer, songwriter, bandleader and household patriarch handed away earlier right this moment at his dwelling in Osprey, FL., surrounded by his household.
“Dickey was bigger than life, and his loss might be felt worldwide.
“At this tough time, the household asks for prayers and respect for his or her privateness within the coming days.
“Extra info might be forthcoming on the applicable time.”
Dickie Betts performing in 1973
The Allman Brothers Band “household and crew” paid tribute to their late bandmate, whose full title was Forrest Richard Betts.
A web based assertion mentioned: “With deep disappointment the Allman Brothers Band discovered right this moment that founding member Dickey Betts has handed away peacefully in his dwelling in Sarasota, Florida, following a interval of declining well being.”
It added: “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.”
Among the many musicians remembering Betts was blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa who mentioned on Instagram: “My first live performance was Dickey Betts at Coleman’s in Rome, New York in 1983.
“Blew my thoughts and made me need a Les Paul. My ideas and prayers exit to Duane and all the Betts household.”
