Sad news from the country rock band The Allman Brothers Band, as co-founder Dickey Betts has passed away at the age of 80.
Betts, a guitarist, singer and songwriter and composer, co-founded the Allman Brothers Band in 1969 alongside Duane and Gregg Allman, bassist Berry Oakley, and two drummers, Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson.
During his time in The Allman Brothers Band, Betts wrote and sang on the 1973 hit Ramblin’ Man. He was also known for his instrumental compositions, including In Memory of Elizabeth Reed and Jessica, the latter of which was used as the theme to Top Gear.
According to Betts’ manager’s statement to Rolling Stone, Betts passed away on Thursday, 18 April, from cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The Allman Brothers Band said about Betts’ passing:
With deep sadness the Allman Brothers Band learned today that founding member Dickey Betts has passed away peacefully in his home in Sarasota, Florida, following a period of declining health.
Dickey wrote quintessential Brothers songs including Blue Sky, Rambling Man, Jessica, In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed and many others. His extraordinary guitar playing alongside guitarist Duane Allman created a unique dual guitar signature sound that became the signature sound of the genre known as Southern Rock.
He was passionate in life, be it music, songwriting, fishing, hunting, boating, golf, karate or boxing. Dickey was all in on and excelled at anything that caught his attention.
Betts joins his brothers, Duane Allman, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks and Gregg Allman, as well as ABB crew, members Twiggs Lyndon, Joe Dan Petty, Red Dog, Kim Payne and Mike Callahan in that old Winnebago in the sky touring the world taking their music to all who will listen.
Our condolences to his immediate family Donna, Duane & Lisa, Christy & Frank, Jessica, and Kim.
Play on Brother Dickey, you will be forever remembered and deeply missed.
Allman Brothers Band, Family, and Crew.
In 1995, The Allman Brothers Band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by the one and only Willie Nelson.
Apart from his career in The Allman Brothers Band—he was dismissed from the group in the late 1990s due to reported drug and alcohol abuse—Betts embarked on a solo career under the moniker The Dickey Betts Band.
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