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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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

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!