Co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts, died on April 18, 2024, at 80 years old. David Spero, Betts’ manager, reported that Betts passed away at his Osprey, Florida, residence due to complications from cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). His loved ones were with him at the time of his death.
Originally named Forrest Richard Betts, he gained prominence as Dickey and played a pivotal role in the Southern rock genre. Together with Duane Allman, Betts, his co-guitarist, was crucial in defining the Allman Brothers Band’s signature style and success.
Following Allman’s death in 1971, Betts rose to the position of the band’s main guitarist, composing several of the band’s most iconic songs, such as “Ramblin’ Man” and “Blue Sky.”
“Daddy always saw himself as part of a team, and he had an incredible love for music that seemed to energize him daily,” his daughter Kim Betts reflected. “His passion was not just in playing music but crafting the stories each song told.”
The Allman Brothers Band, established in 1969 in Jacksonville, Florida, achieved fame through their unique fusion of rock, blues, and country music, giving birth to what we now know as Southern rock. Their music was known for the dual guitar leads played by Betts and Allman, a style that became their trademark.
Betts’ relationship with the band was fraught with periods of disconnection and reunions. He was finally dismissed from the band in 2000 due to problems associated with substance abuse.
After leaving the Allman Brothers Band, Betts carried on his musical journey with his band, Great Southern, and remained an active figure in the music landscape until he retired in 2014. His health, however, started to deteriorate after a mild stroke in 2018, which was exacerbated by his existing health conditions.
Gregg Allman, a bandmate and a close companion of Betts until his death in 2017, once portrayed Betts as “the brother I never had but wished I did,” signifying the profound connections forged through their shared music and the intricate dynamics within the band.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame welcomed Dickey Betts and the Allman Brothers Band in 1995. The Band members and crew expressed their grief over his passing, saying: “Play on, Brother Dickey. You will be forever remembered and deeply missed.”
Betts is survived by his spouse, four children, and multiple grandchildren.
