The former surviving members of The Allman Brothers Band are paying tribute to Dickey Betts, the late singer-songwriter and guitarist who died Thursday at the age of 80.
While all but one of the original band members have passed away, with the exception of Jai Johanny ‘Jaimoe’ Johanson, later members who joined the group over the years shared a heartfelt statement People.
“It is with deep sadness that the Allman Brothers Band learned today that founding member Dickey Betts passed away peacefully at his home in Sarasota, Florida, following a period of declining health,” the Grammy winners shared in a press release sent to the publication.
They proceeded to highlight the impact Betts had on the band during his tenure from 1969 to 2000 with his songwriting and guitar playing.
“Dickey wrote quintessential Brothers songs, including Blue Sky, Rambling Man, Jessica, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed and many others,” the statement continued.
“His extraordinary guitar playing alongside guitarist Duane Allman created a unique dual guitar sound that became the signature sound of the genre known as Southern Rock.”
The surviving former members of The Allman Brothers Band shared a heartfelt statement about the band’s former founder, Dickey Betts, a day after his death at the age of 80.
Betts, who wrote many of the band’s most recognizable songs as Ramblin’ Man, was with the band from its formation in 1969, through two breakups until he left the band in 2000; He is seen performing in the mid-1970s
‘He was passionate about life, whether it was music, song writing, fishing, hunting, boating, golf, karate or boxing. Dickey was totally into and excelled at anything that caught his attention,” the surviving former members shared about the West Palm Beach, Florida native.
It is at this point in their tribute that they gave recognition to the founding members of The Allman Brothers Band, which formed in Jacksonville, Florida back in 1969, but would eventually be based in Macon, Georgia.
‘Betts joins his brothers, Duane Allman, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks and Gregg Allman, as well as the ABB crew, members Twiggs Lyndon, Joe Dan Petty, Red Dog, Kim Payne and Mike Callahan in that old Winnebago in the sky that travels the world. bringing their music to everyone who wants to hear it,’ they added.
Surviving members include Chuck Leavell (keyboards), David Goldflies (bass), Warren Haynes (guitar), Johnny Neel (vocals), Marc Quiñones (percussion), Oteil Burbridge (bass), Derek Trucks (guitar), and Jimmy Herring ( guitar). .
ABB’s statement, attributed to ‘Allman Brothers Band, Family and Crew’, concluded: ‘Our deepest condolences to his immediate family Donna, Duane & Lisa, Christy & Frank, Jessica and Kim. Play on Brother Dickey, you will always be remembered and deeply missed.’
As a founding member, Betts played with the band from its inception in 1969 until its departure in 2000, although there were a couple of breakups and reunions in the 1970s and 1980s.
It was widely reported that Betts was kicked out of the band in 2000 over a conflict related to his drug and alcohol use. He would never play with them or appear with any other former members for reunions or side projects.
But during an interview with Rolling Stone In 2017, Johanson alleged that Betts left the group.
Betts helped form the band in Jacksonville, Florida in 1969; they would eventually be based in Macon, Georgia; Original members included Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Gregg Allman, Jai Johanny Johanson, Berry Oakley and Butch Trucks.
Dickey Betts’ family confirmed his death with an Instagram post on Thursday, April 18, where they described the musician as ‘larger than life.’
It was widely reported that Betts was kicked out of the band in 2000 over a conflict related to his continued drug and alcohol use, although Johanson alleged that Betts actually left the group in an interview with Rolling Stone in 2017.
The news of Betts’ death was confirmed by his family on Thursday with a statement posted on his official Instagram page, along with a photo of the famous musician.
“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that the Betts family announces the peaceful passing of Forrest Richard ‘Dickey’ Betts (December 12, 1943 – April 18, 2024) at the age of 80,” the caption reads. . ‘The legendary performer, songwriter, bandleader and family patriarch passed away today at his home in Osprey, Florida, surrounded by his family.
The family added: ‘Dickey was larger than life and his loss will be felt around the world. At this difficult time, the family ask for prayers and respect for his privacy in the coming days. More information will be available at the appropriate time.’
The late artist’s manager, David Spero, confirmed that Betts died as a result of cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The day after his death, Betts’ family thanked fans for their “outpouring of love, support and well wishes shown to Dickey and the Betts family” in a tribute video.
The 1992 video shared the day after his death showcased Betts’ prowess as a guitarist.
Betts’ family followed up with a video tribute the day after his passing with a video showcasing his guitar prowess.
‘#Legend of the South. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support and well wishes shown to Dickey and the Betts family at this difficult time. Please keep Ramblin’ Man in your thoughts and prayers. It’s a real comfort to read the comments and stories about your interactions with Dickey over the years,” the tribute read, before his former colleagues shared the details behind the clip.
“Here’s Dickey performing his beautiful introduction to In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed live on stage at the Beacon Theatre,” the family revealed. ‘The music and legend of Dickey Betts and the Allman Brothers Band will live on forever…New York, NY. March 10, 1992. #allmanbrothers #idlewildsouth #RIPdickeybetts #RIPgreggallman #RIPbutchtrucks #jaimoe #warrenhaynes #RIPallenwoody #marcquiñones #legends #brothers #icons #abb #soundsofthesouth #theroadgoesonforever.
The Allman Brothers Band ended up calling it quits, playing one last show at the Beacon Theater in New York City in October 2014.