We have sad, breaking news. The iconic guitarist, iconic songwriter, and co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts, has passed away at the age of 80. Betts’s passing comes after a long battle with cancer and obstructive pulmonary disease. Dickey Betts’s passing was confirmed by his family. They released a statement on his official social media. “It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Betts family announces the peaceful passing of Forrest Richard ‘Dickey’ Betts, December 12th, 1943, to April 18th, 2024, at the age of 80 years old. The legendary performer, songwriter, band leader, and family patriarch passed away earlier today at his home in Osprey, Florida, surrounded by his family. Dickey was larger than life, and his loss will be felt worldwide. At this difficult time, the family asks for prayers and respect for their privacy in the coming days. More information will be forthcoming at the appropriate time.”
Like so many of you, the Allman Brothers Band was one of the first bands that I was ever introduced to as a young child, and I just got to say that Dickey Betts alongside Duane Allman was something that I don’t think could ever be duplicated. They played alongside one another flawlessly, and it never seemed as though the two were dueling for each other’s spot but instead capitalized on every moment that they could with their instrumentation and harmonized in such a way that they helped shape southern rock and jam bands for years to come. And even still to this day, two that, of course, really stick out when you think of instrumentation and solo work on a song are “Jessica” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” which Dickey Betts was responsible for. And not to mention the countless songs that Dickey Betts wrote for the Allman Brothers Band. “Ramblin’ Man” is one of their biggest songs. You have “Revival” and several others as well. And even though it was under unfortunate and extremely heartbreaking circumstances after Duane Allman’s passing back in the year 1971 at just the young age of 24 years old, Dickey Betts sort of fell into more of that prominent role as the band leader, the songwriter, and even found himself doing lead vocals at some point, all while continuing to be one of the greatest leaders and icons on the guitar.
You know, the word “legend” and the word “icon” get thrown around quite a bit, but I think we can all agree that Dickey Betts deserves those titles, as his work speaks for itself and even well beyond the Allman Brothers Band. It was a true blow and a heartbreaking, very sad loss for the entire music industry today. Our hearts and prayers are going out to Betts’s family and friends and the Allman Brothers Camp during this difficult time.