Music world in mourning: the artist had been fighting a terrible illness for some time
Legendary guitarist and co-founder of Allman Brothers Band, as well as the author of their biggest hit “Ramblin' Man”, has passed away at the age of 80. The musician had been ill with cancer for over a year and suffering from a serious lung disease.
Dickey Betts passed away yesterday at his home in Florida, as confirmed by his manager David Spero. With him, an icon of the guitar passes away, a key figure in the birth of Southern Rock, that genre that brings together blues, country, R&B and Sixties rock. His influence reached as far as big names like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Phish, Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton. The band's official page writes about the guitarist:
With profound sadness, the Allman Brothers Band announces the passing of founding member Dickey Betts, which occurred peacefully at his home in Sarasota, Florida, following a decline in his health. […] Dickey wrote some of the Brothers' most iconic songs, including 'Blue Sky,' 'Rambling Man,' 'Jessica,' 'In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,' and many more.
In the mythical American band Also from the Allman Brothers is Duane Allman, with whom Dickey Betts shared years of concerts and guitar duets. Founded in 1969, the band stood out for its fusion of genres and breaking the temporal patterns of pop songs, as well as tragic events.
In 1971, in fact, Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident, followed by Berry Oakley the following year in a similar accident. These events left Betts and Allman's younger brother Gregg in leadership of the group. The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. The tribute to him on social media can still be read:
His unique guitar style, paired with Duane Allman, created the distinctive dual-guitar sound that defined Southern Rock. He was a man passionate about everything, from music to songwriting, from fishing to hunting, from rowing to golf, from karate to boxing.
Dickey Betts left the group for good in 2000, pursuing a career as a lead guitarist and singer with the band Great Southern, which included his son, Duane Betts. Among 80s and 90s however the band was back in the studio recording some material. Thus came three albums with the contribution of Betts and several tours together.
There were numerous tributes to the legendary guitarist. One above all, Joe Bonamassa, wrote on Instagram: “I owe my choice of Les Paul guitar to Betts.” But it is an indelible legacy that of the pioneer of Southern Rock, a guitar virtuoso and a talented composer.
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