Co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band has died at age 80

Guitar legend, Dickey Betts, co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band and who wrote their biggest hit "Ramblin' Man," has passed away at age 80 in his home in Osprey, Florida.

Betts was battling cancer for over a year and had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to Betts manager of 20 years, David Spero.

“He was surrounded by his whole family and he passed peacefully. They didn’t think he was in any pain,” Spero said by phone.

Photo Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band via Facebook/1991 Kirk West Photography

Betts grew up listening to country, bluegrass and Western swing, and played the ukulele and banjo before focusing on the electric guitar because it impressed girls.

In 1969, the Allman Borothers were formed. They were a pioneering jam band that combined blues, country, R&B, jazz, and rock.

Betts shared lead guitar duties with Duane Allman to create the band's distinctive sound and create a new genre - Southern rock.

In 1971, Duane Allman tragically died in a motorcycle accident, and founding member Berry Oakley was killed in a motorcycle crash a year later.

The Allman Brothers Band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and earned a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2012.

After leaving the band, Betts continued to play solo and with his own band, Great Southern.

The Allman Brothers posted the following on their Facebook page:

With deep sadness the Allman Brothers Band learned today that founding member Dickey Betts has passed away peacefully in his home in Sarasota, Florida, following a period of declining health.

Dickey wrote quintessential Brothers songs including “Blue Sky,” “Rambling Man,” “Jessica,” “in Memory of Elizabeth Reed” and many others. His extraordinary guitar playing alongside guitarist Duane Allman created a unique dual guitar signature sound that became the signature sound of the genre known as Southern Rock.

He was passionate in life, be it music, songwriting, fishing, hunting, boating, golf, karate or boxing. Dickey was all in on and excelled at anything that caught his attention.

Betts joins his brothers, Duane Allman, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks and Gregg Allman, as well as ABB crew members Twiggs Lyndon, Joe Dan Petty, Red Dog, Kim Payne and Mike Callahan in that old Winnebago in the sky touring the world taking their music to all who will listen.

Our condolences to his immediate family, Donna, Duane & Lisa, Christy & Frank, Jessica, and Kim.

Play on Brother Dickey, you will be forever remembered and deeply missed.

Allman Brothers Band, Family, and Crew

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