Dickie Betts died earlier today at 80 years of age


I just read where Forest Richard Betts passed away earlier today. Although the article didn’t indicate the cause of death, however at 80 it may have just been natural causes. As we grow older, we are watching the building blocks of the music we have grown up with, fade away. Thankfully we have their recordings and will never really lose them. But Dickie’s contributions will always be treasures and it seems an appropriate time to give a listen to Blue Sky. I wanted to attach the link but it wouldn’t take for some reason. So long to the Midnight Rider.

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Betts had a rare thing among guitar players which was an instantly recognizable style. 

I was lucky enough to see the original band while Duane and Berry were still alive. I always thought Betts never got as much credit as he deserved. A real treat for me is his “High Falls” off of Win, Lose, or Draw. Rest in peace and let those leads run on forever!

……wolf_garcia you hit the nail on the head. I was in Saratoga, NY to see the ABB in 1995 I do believe when Dickie did some not so good things in the town and when the show was over the local police handcuffed him and took him away . One of last straws with the band who trying to get clean . I recall one of the first shows with Derek Trucks a few years later and I couldn’t help but think and say to my brother ……”’ Who is this little kid “ ? He was standing next to some musical giants . I had in my first post here Derek is a incredible guitar player but like Wolf said that Dickie had a distinct style of playing that could not, will not be replaced and that’s what made him sooo good . Dickie had his own style but I would like to think that Duane had a part in it that made that ABB sound . When he was ummmm asked to leave the Band , that “ original ABB sound was also gone . He will be missed …..