Allman Brothers Band Guitarist Dickey Betts Dies at 80

Photo: Kirk West

Allman Brothers Band Guitarist Dickey Betts Dies at 80

Forrest Richard “Dickey” Betts
(December 12, 1943 – April 17, 2024)

Allman Brothers Band guitarist, singer and songwriter Dickey Betts has died at 80 years old. A legendary guitarist, Betts co-founded the Allman Brothers Band. He suffered from cancer and chronic pulmonary disease.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer died at his home in Osprey, Florida, his manager David Spero confirmed.

“He was surrounded by his whole family and he passed peacefully. They didn’t think he was in any pain,” Spero said.

Betts played a pivotal role in shaping the unique sound of The Allman Brothers Band, sharing lead guitar duties with Duane Allman during the band’s early years. This collaboration helped define the band’s signature blend of blues, country, R&B, jazz, and ’60s rock, ultimately contributing to the emergence of Southern Rock as a distinct musical genre. The influence of their music extended far and wide, impacting bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Kid Rock.

Dickey Betts wrote their hit “Ramblin’ Man.”

Formed in 1969, The Allman Brothers Band quickly rose to prominence as pioneers of the jam band movement. Tragically, the band faced significant losses with the deaths of Duane Allman in a motorcycle accident in 1971 and founding member Berry Oakley in a similar accident the following year. Despite these setbacks, Betts and Gregg Allman, Duane’s younger brother, emerged as the band’s leaders amid ongoing internal conflicts and substance abuse issues. The group disbanded multiple times but ultimately reunited, enduring over a dozen lineup changes.

In recognition of their enduring impact, The Allman Brothers Band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2012. Dickey Betts parted ways with the band permanently in 2000, pursuing a solo career with his own band, Great Southern, which notably featured his son, guitarist Duane Betts.

Born Forrest Richard Betts on December 12, 1943, in the Bradenton, Florida area, Dickey Betts hailed from a longstanding local family with roots tracing back to the mid-19th century, near the very Highway 41 he immortalized in “Ramblin’ Man.”

From Allman Brothers Band Facebook page: 

“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”

Allman Brothers Band “Ramblin’ Man” (University of Florida)