Allman Brothers Band Founder Dickey Betts Has Died
Rick Diamond / Getty Images for Webster PR
Dickey Betts, Singer, Guitarist, & Founder Of The Allman Brothers Band, Dies At Age 80
The Allman Brothers Band shared some sad news today (April 18). Dickey Betts, one of the band’s founding members, has died.
Betts was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, on December 12, 1943. He grew up in a musical family and learned to play the ukulele, banjo, mandolin, and guitar.
He went on to form the Allman Brothers Band in 1969 with Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks, and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson.
Betts played guitar and also served as one of the group’s vocalists. Following Duane Allman’s death in 1971, Betts became the band’s sole guitar player. He also took on greater responsibilities as a singer and leader of the group.
He devoted himself to the band, and wrote some of their greatest songs, including 1973’s “Ramblin’ Man.”
RELATED: LUKE COMBS GIVES ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE OF “RAMBLIN’ MAN” ON “THE TONIGHT SHOW”
The Allman Brothers Band dissolved in 1976. However, the group did reunite a few times before they retired for good in 2014. Betts pursued a solo career and released over a dozen albums.
Allman Brothers Release Statement About Dickey Betts’ Death
Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks, Gregg Allman, and Duane Allman have all passed away. And on April 18, Dickey Betts died at the age of 80.
The Allman Brothers Band shared a statement about Betts’ death on their official Facebook page. They said:
“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.”
They ended their statement by writing, “Play on Brother Dickey, you will be forever remembered and deeply missed.”
With Betts’ death, Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson is the last founding member of the Allman Brothers Band alive today.
Betts is survived by his wife, Donna, and his four children: Duane, Christy, Jessica, and Kim. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them and to all of Betts’ loved ones during this sad time. May he rest in peace…
