Allman Brothers Band singer and guitarist Dickey Betts dead at 80 as star ‘died peacefully’ after cancer battle
THE Allman Brothers Band singer and guitarist Dickey Betts has died at the age of 80.
The family of the Ramblin' Man songwriter announced his death in a statement on Thursday.
“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Betts family announce the peaceful passing of Forrest Richard ‘Dickey’ Betts (December 12, 1943 – April 18, 2024) at the age of 80 years old,” the family told Rolling Stone.
“The legendary performer, songwriter, bandleader, and family patriarch was at his home in Osprey, Florida, surrounded by his family,"
"Dickey was larger-than-life, and his loss will be felt worldwide," the statement continued.
"At this difficult time, the family asks for prayers and respect for their privacy in the coming days."
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"More information will be forthcoming at the appropriate time," the statement ended.
'BECAUSE OF MY HEALTH'
In April 2020, the legendary guitarist opened up about fame and moving on from the limelight since his retirement.
Dickey retired after suffering a mild stroke in August 2018.
“I haven’t been on the road in a while because of my health but I like the crowds mainly, and what the music did for them,” he shared.
“They got more out of the music than I did, I think. I work real hard to make music, they just came to enjoy it, y’know?"
"Not to say I didn’t enjoy playing on stage, but I just really get a kick out of the audience and how they could just kind of drift away to another world in a concert," Dickey went on.
"And it was really nice to see that. I guess that’s the main thing, crowds and their enthusiasm and their enjoyment of it."
THE REAL ALMOST FAMOUS
Founded in 1969, The Allman Brothers Band was a pioneering biracial group from the Deep South.
Founder members Duane Allman and Berry Oakley died in a motorcycle crash.
In the aftermath, Dickie and Allman's younger brother, Gregg, became the band's leaders.
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During the band's 1973 tour, they were trailed by a 16-year-old Cameron Crowe, who used his experience as the basis for his 2000 coming-of-age film Almost Famous.
Dickey inspired the movie's main character, guitarist Russell Hammond, played by Billy Crudup, who even styled his mustache for the film after Dickey's trademark handlebars.
When Dickey first saw the movie in theaters, he recalled being surprised at the similarities.
“I was pretty shocked, really, it was like watching myself,” Betts told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in 2020.
“I was kind of shocked seeing that character. It was pretty cool. Billy told me he based the character on me. I talked to him right after that movie came out. And I asked him. I said, ‘Your character in that movie reminds me a lot of myself.’ He said he was basing his character on me. I was pretty flattered.”
Dickey and Gregg were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
The jam band went their separate ways in 2000.
Drummer Jaimoe, 79, is the last remaining member of the founding six-man Allman Brothers Band lineup.
'AND HE'S GONE'
David Spero, Dickey's manager of about 20 years, confirmed the tragic news to the Associated Press.
David mentioned Dickey had been battling cancer for more than a year and had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
"He was surrounded by his whole family and he passed peacefully," David said.
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"They didn't think he was in any pain."
"He'd had cancer for over a year. And he's gone."