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.
When I got out of college in KY in 1981 I rode my my motorcycle to Daytona Bike Week in FL and although i75 was a strait shot down the middle of GA , I rode as much of trip as I could down Hwy 41.
@jbuhl , we were almost on the same raod at almost the same time! I was stationed at SAFB (just east of St. Louis) and my buddy was getting married on Valentines Day of 1981 in Tampa and since he designated me to be his best man I rode my bike through Kentucky for the event. It was unseasonably nice all the way up to a few days before his wedding and then . . . oh man, it got cold! After riding all day, that night I broke the face shield on my helmet somewhere in Tn, and although I had planned on riding all night, that icy blast in my face was too much and I stopped for the night. It started warming way up the next day going through Georgia, and I was actually removing layers of clothing. I think it must have been about a week after I got back to Illinois, a bunch of buddies of mine rode down to Daytona for Bike Week, but they caught pretty decent weather.
I always loved the phrase " I was born on the backseat of greyhound bus rolling down hwy 41".
Living in Atlanta all my life The Allman Brothers were a big part of my youth. Saw the original Band many times in 1970-71. Usually for free at Piedmont Park.
We are indeed growing older and the great music of our youth should be treasured.
I recall an interview in which he said "my sh*t is so simple, anyone could play it". Such humility from a guy who was able to convincingly share guitar duties with Skydog! No small feat!
I’ve always regarded his solo on Stormy Monday as a masterful example of how to build a solo. He starts off sweet and soulful with lots of space and lovely phrasing and increases the density and intensity of his lines to reach a screaming peak. I’ve always treasured his playing from the Live Fillmore shows as much as Duane’s. And listen to his slide playing on Melissa. Talk about making a guitar cry. I can’t but think he was pouring out his grief over Duane’s passing.
I would disagree that Derek lacks chops compared to Dickie. Derek has phenomenal chops. What I hear in Betts’ playing is a less overtly technical approach that is extremely melodic and emotionally direct. This is my perception. Others may have a different take but we can all agree on one thing-- he was one of those players with an easily identifiable signature style. This alone makes him very special.
Thought it was a good time to share the story about the Live at the Filmore cover, such a classic with everyone laughing and smiling. In case you didn't hear the backstory:
There's a famous story that goes with the shooting of the Allman Brothers cover.
According to Skydog: The Duane Allman Story by Randy Poe, the band was originally photographed for the album cover under the Fillmore East marquee. But no one liked he results.
So famed New York cover photographer Jim Marshall was sent 900 miles south to Macon to photograph the band.
At a roadie's suggestion, they decided to shoot it against a brick wall across from the studio. They also decided to shoot the roadies for the back cover at Duane's suggestion. (One of the longtime roadies, RED DOG, was not there that day so they put his picture up top afterwards.)
According to Greg Allman's autobiography, Not My Cross to Bear, Marshall could not get the band to smile for the longest period of time. Also, it was a cold day and they were shivering.
Toward the end of the session Marshall told them "Just one more roll..." and went about putting another negative roll into his camera. Just at that moment, who should Duane see walking down the street, but his drug dealer. Quickly Duane got up, made his purchase, ran back, and hid what he had bought behind his hands in his lap.
The "naughty schoolboy" nature of the transaction, which Jim Marshall didn't see, got the rest of the band feeling giddy, and they all stated laughing Ñ which is precisely when Marshall got his long-awaited shot.
Well said OP. As I have grown older, I have been able to upgrade my audio equipment and enjoy albums I grew up listening to. I can revisit "old friends" I never met. I am currently writing this listening to "Melissa." Dickie Betts was certainly one of those folks. R.I.P. Mr. Betts.
……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 …..
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!
Sad. He was a rock guitar icon. One of my favorites was Dreams where the interplay between Greg’s more muted tone and Dickey’s more present tone was captivating. Dickey, I hope you realized all your dreams and you are still ripping riffs above.
'Cause I'm hung up on dreams
I'll never see, yeah, baby, yeah
Ah, help me, baby
Or this will surely be the end of me, yeah
Pull myself together
Put on a new face
Climb down off the hilltop, baby
Get back in the race
I saw the play5-6 years ago in Kansas and they had the same setup as The Allman Brothers including two drummers. Unfortunately there was definitely something missing. People were leaving after their first set. I thought Maybe they were having a bad day, but after listening to the record they were pushing, it was pretty obvious that they didn’t have the command and the energy their dads did.
Sad news but he passed the torch to his son. It’s nice to see the siblings carry on. I very much enjoy these records. From Wikipedia;
The Allman Betts Band is an American rock group. Formed in November 2018, it includes the sons of three founding members of the Allman Brothers Band – Devon Allman (son of Gregg Allman), Duane Betts (son of Dickey Betts), and Berry Duane Oakley (son of Berry Oakley).[1][2][3][4] The band plays mostly original songs, with some covers of Allman Brothers songs mixed in. They have toured nationally and internationally,[5][6][7] and have released two albums – Down to the River (2019)[8] and Bless Your Heart (2020).[9]
Wore out live at Fillmore many times. My friends brother took us to see them back then. Started playing the geetar because of them. Own 6 Les Paul guitars because of them. I'll have to break out my Gold Top tonight. Gary Paul is a friend of mine, Les Paul's grandson. I agree with @garebear- never really took to Trucks playing style but agree he is a fantastic guitar player if that makes sense to anyone but me! Betts playing and blues style was awesome to me. Know all of his licks to this day. I was just thinking about the band and Betts when I heard this. Sorry I didn't go see him more often. Fantastic vibrato indeed.
The halls of my college dorm were filled with live at the Fillmore in my freshman year. Everyone had that record. Now they have all passed on except for Jaimoe.
……the sound of the Allman Brothers is ….was so distinct. I saw the Allman Brothers upwards of 50 times . I did not see them with Duane which I wish I had . The ABB were never the same without Dickie and even though Derek Trucks is a great guitarist and replaced Dickie ……he just didn’t have same chops as Dickie . Love the Allman Brothers as you will note from my threads here , this is a sad day for any fan. I spend a couple of the winter months here in Sarasota and I am here today when I got the news . I have not seen him here but people have told that they used to see him around and sometimes he would play at the local bars . All the best Dickie and thank you , thank you for all of the memories that you have given me over the past almost 50 years . He was a really good musician and guitar player aside from his demons …. Rest In Peace
I think I wore out my Eat A Peach cassette and replaced it with a half speed master. Funny how we look back at our youth and realize what a great soundtrack we have to accompany it. Jbuhl, that line always stuck in my head as well, so even though a bike isn’t a back seat of a greyhound, hopefully you felt re-born!
Betts was battling cancer and suffered chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Reports indicate he was comfortable and not suffering during these times. I am a huge Allmans fan; saw them many times. I was at the original Fillmore East concerts 2 of the nights, so when listening, I am sure you might hear me scream during the song intervals. RIP Dickey and condolences to his family and friends. To the op, I agree. MrD.
Rolling Stone said Cancer and respiratory complications.
They was big when I was in high school. Brothers and Sisters was on the 8 track rotation.
I always loved the phrase " I was born on the backseat of greyhound bus rolling down hwy 41". When I got out of college in KY in 1981 I rode my my motorcycle to Daytona Bike Week in FL and although i75 was a strait shot down the middle of GA , I rode as much of trip as I could down Hwy 41.
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