Allman Brothers Band co-founder Dickey Betts died April 18,2024 in his Osprey, Florida home as a result of cancer and COPD at the age of 80. Betts was the last of the original band members.
Manager David Spero reported that Betts “died peacefully” and was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.
Betts was responsible for creating a number of Allman hits including a seven minute tribute to his daughter “Jessica” and “Ramblin’ Man” – a song that reflected Betts’ own life.
Forrest Richard Betts was born on December 12, 1943, in West Palm Beach, Florida but left home at the age of 16 to “join the circus”. He went on to become one of the greatest guitar players in the world and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A descendant of Canadian fiddlers who moved to Florida in the 1800’s, Betts lived in the same area…near Highway 41 of “Ramblin’ Man” fame.
While best known for playing a Les Paul electric guitar, Betts began his musical journey with a banjo and ukulele. Much of his songwriting was done with an acoustic guitar.
When Betts and Allman Brother Duane and Gregg Allman created the band in 1969; they fused blues, country, R&B and jazz with ’60s rock to create Southern Rock. Their unique sound went on the inspire other rockers including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker, 38 Special, ZZ Top, Phish, Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton.
After leaving ABB in 2000, Betts formed his own band Great Southern with son Duane. Duane has joined other ABB offspring to continue the tradition with the Allman-Betts Band.
Along with the Rock Hall induction, the Allman Brothers were presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2012.
Outside of music; Betts also enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, golf, karate, and boxing.
Survivors include his fifth wife wife Donna and son Duane.
Feature photo credit: Dickey betts at the Pistoia Blues Festival, Italy July 2008.