Dickey Betts(1943-2024)

Dickey Betts, born in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1943, was the oldest member of the Allman Brothers Band when they formed in 1969. He shared lead guitar duties with band founder and leader Duane Allman, also playing alongside bassist Berry Oakley, drummers Jaimoe and Butch Trucks, and Allman's younger brother, lead singer and organist Gregg. With his first contributions in 1970 to their repetoire, Betts proved himself an able composer of both instrumental and non-instrumental songs. After Duane Allman's death in 1971, he became co-leader and co-singer of the group with Gregg Allman. Starting in 1973, he became the Brothers' primary songwriter, until they disbanded in 1976 due to Gregg Allman's drug problems. Re-forming in 1979 and again in 1989, the group continued to rely on Betts to write songs, play guitar and occasionally sing for them... until, that is, he was asked to leave the group due to an alleged drinking problem in mid-2000.