Dickey Betts, Allman Brothers guitarist, has died at the age of 80
Dickey Betts, singer, songwriter and guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band, died Thursday in Osprey, Florida.
He was 80 years old.
“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that the Bates family announces the peaceful pa*sing of Forrest Richard “Dickie” Bates (December 12, 1943 – April 18, 2024) at the age of 80,” his family said in an Instagram post. old.
“The legendary performer, songwriter, bandleader and family patriarch pa*sed away earlier today at his home in Osprey, Florida, surrounded by his family. Dickie was larger than life, and his loss will be felt around the world.”
Along with Duane and Gregg Allman, drummers Jay Johanni “Jaymo” Johansson and Butch Turks, and ba*sist Perry Oakley, Betts formed the Allman Brothers Band in 1969.
After the deaths of Duane and Oakley in separate motorcycle accidents in 1971 and 1972, Betts became the band’s de facto leader and sole guitarist and remained with them until they broke up in 1976.
Before they broke up, he wrote the hit songs “Ramblin’ Man” and “Jessica.”
He also released several solo albums, including 1974’s “Highway Call” and 1976’s “Dickey Betts & Great Southern.”
The Allman Brothers Band reunited sporadically and toured throughout the 1980s and 1990s. But Betts was fired by Duane, Greg and Jay-Johanni “Jaymo” Johansson in 2000 because of a decline in his play, they claimed.
Betts, along with the Allman Brothers Band, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
In September 2018, Betts underwent brain surgery after a fall, and suffered a mild stroke later that year.
Rolling Stone writer Cameron Crowe toured with the band, and based his 2000 film Almost Famous on that formative experience.
Russell Hammond, played by Billy Crudup, was based on Bates.
“The Crudup look, and so much more, is a tribute to Dickie,” Crowe told Rolling Stone in 2017. “Dickie seemed like a quiet man with a lot of spirit, potential danger and playful recklessness behind his eyes. He was a great presence.”