Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

Forrest Richard "Dickie" Betts, one of the founding members of the legendary southern rock band "The Allman Brothers" passed away today, April 18, 2024 at age 80 after a battle with cancer and COPD. Betts, along with Duane and Gregg Allman, and Berry Oakley formed the band in 1969.

Betts and Duane Allman were both lead guitarist's in the band with contrasting styles, Allman's being a more bluesy, slide guitar versus Betts more country style of playing, as evidenced by some of the bands biggest hits which were written by Betts. After Duane Allman died in 1971, Betts was the lone guitarist in the band. The subsequent years were marked by two breakups and reunions, with Warren Haynes joining the band in 1989, resulting in the familiar two lead guitar sound that the original band was famous for. The late 90's saw more turmoil between band members, and Betts left the band for good in 2000.

Three of Betts most well known songs below.

Blue Sky - written by and lead vocals by Dickie Betts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSMubgZoL58

Rambling Man - written by and lead vocals by Dickie Betts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa4DCp6cl2U

Jessica - written by Dickie Betts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ToMMcQ3O3Q

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

A well deserved RIP !

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

Back then, one of the big debates was who was the better guitar player, Clapton or Duane Allman. For some reason, a lot of people never included Betts in those comparisons, but he was a great player too.

Thanks for looking and commenting.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Betts never got the credit he was do

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

One of the greats, that's for sure.

Finn Man Loc: wisconsin

R.I.P...K.A.N.

therwol Loc: USA

He lived to 80 by not crashing a motorcycle. But seriously, when they were at there best, they were the best in their genre.

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

Yes, isn't that something... two members of the same band, first Duane Allman and then Berry Oakley, both died in motorcycle accidents a year apart, on the same street, three blocks from where the other was killed.

hippi Loc: Sedalia MO

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

My wife was a real Allman fan. We saw them 4 or 5 times (without Duane but with Dickie) and then Dickie with Great Southern, twice. His “blazing” guitar easily matched Van Zandt or Caldwell who had that reputation. A gifted writer and performer who suffered from some inner demons leading to several band break ups and some not-so-nice relationships with women.

Canisdirus

Any time in my youth...if I went for a long drive...this song always was with me...my driving song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md7qo7Lb72Q

theaverlo Loc: Iowa

RIP Dickie!

therwol Loc: USA

I think that the pinnacle of the recordings of The Allman Brothers was the Filmore East album. Earlier albums were recorded rather poorly. This one was not. Mountain Jam (From Eat a Peach) was not included in the vinyl album or in the first CD release. It was actually recorded at that concert. Filmore East was released on CD again with Mountain Jam included, and I think some other shorter recordings from the concert. I don't think that anyone could touch them at that point in their career. What followed was very sad.