Originally Posted in 2015
The Allman Brothers Band played their final shows in 2014, ending a 45 year run that most bands could only dream of having. Much has been deservedly written about the farewell, but many have passed over the fact of one Forrest Richard “Dickey” Betts and his extreme impact on the band and it’s history. Betts and The Brother’s parted ways in 2000. Both sides differ on the facts behind the parting, but regardless of who you believe, the fact is set in stone that Dickey Betts was a major player, many times THE player, in The Allman Brothers Band for many years.
Dickey was born on December 12, 1943 in West Palm Beach, Florida. He grew up in a musical family with Parents, Uncles and Cousins playing Traditional Bluegrass and Country Music, or “String Music” as Dickey calls it. He believes his exposure to this music lead to his melodic lead guitar style he developed years later. His desire to play started almost immediately, and at 5 he received a Ukulele. With his exposure to Bluegrass, the Mandolin was the next natural progression, along with a short stint with the Banjo, before settling on the Guitar as his instrument of choice.
Dickey wasted no time getting out into the music scene, and was still quite young when he began playing in Rock and Roll bands and touring the East Coast. One of his early bands was called “The Jokers” and the line “there was a group called The Jokers they were laying it down!” from Rick Derringer’s “Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo” gives reference to that band that Derringer witnessed first hand back in the day.
Betts soon met future Allman Brother’s Bassist Berry Oakley and the two formed The Second Coming in 1967. Duane Allman was a then successful studio musician who was putting a new band together. He asked Berry Oakley to audition for Bass, and Oakley suggested Dickey come along. Duane and Dickey immediately clicked, trading twin harmonies and lead lines that would become their trademark sound in The Allman Brothers. Duane brought in his brother Gregg to sing, and along with Drummer’s Butch Trucks and Jaimoe, The Allman Brother’s Band was born. The Brothers’ self titled debut came out in 1969. Dickey and Duane throw solos at each other like 2 gun slingers- both gunning for the same cause and never soloing simply to solo, but to lift the music as the feeling arose. The two literally invented “Southern Rock”, and every guitar player that has come along since borrowed their ideas for twin harmony lines and 2 guitar bands.
The Brother’s second release, “Idlewild South” appeared in 1970. The album saw Dickey Betts step up big time as a song writer, particularly with the classic Jazz influenced instrumental “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed.” Fusing elements of Jazz, Blues and Rock, the tune remained a staple in the Allman’s live shows. They even played it at their final show in October, 2014.
Tragedy struck the band when leader Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident on October 29, 1971. The Brothers decided to soldier on and Dickey Betts, along with Gregg Allman,stepped up to plate, becoming the unofficial leaders of the band. The iconic “Eat A Peach” album was released in ‘72 and featured the classic Betts’ composition “Blue Sky.” The tune not only solidified his reputation as a top notch Guitarist, it also showed the World that he was a fantastic singer. Dickey started to find his own voice and take on a musical personality all his own. With the release of the 1973 album “Brothers and Sisters” that featured the classic instrumental “Jessica” and classic rock staple “Ramblin’ Man” Dickey was a force to be reckoned with. Things were starting to unravel within the band though and in 1974 he released his solo album “Highway Call” which showed him going back to his Country Music roots.
The band released one more album before calling it quits. During this time Dickey formed his own band, Great Southern, and continued on. Different versions of the Allman Brothers Band reunited here and there but it wasn’t until the 1989 20th anniversary reunion with guitarist Warren Haynes that the Allman Brothers Band truly found their footing again. With the renewed line-up they went on to reach new musical heights and once again Dickey Betts stepped up to plate with some fantastic compositions such as “Seven Turns” and “Where It All Begins” that took the band to even further heights. With Haynes, Dickey once again found a more than capable partner to trade licks with, very reminiscent of his days with Duane.
Dickey and the band parted ways in 2000 and he has since performed with his band Great Southern. If you get a chance to catch Dickey Betts make sure you do because the man still plays with all of the fire and fury that he ever did and shows that he is a true legend. Guitarists and musicians come and go but most can’t lay claim to the fact that they started a musical style on their own. It’s been said that you can recognize a unique artist by only hearing them play or sing a few notes. There’s no doubt that a few notes from his Guitar or Voice will tell you it’s Dickey Betts. He can lay claim to perfecting the much copied twin guitar style he shared with Duane Allman and he also can lay claim to the fact that he was one of the inventors of Southern Rock. Every band that came after the Allman Brothers Band owes them something and every Jam Band owes them something.
The Allman Brothers Band were a musical Institution that played to their fullest potential every night for 45 years. Let’s never forget though, Dickey Betts was one of the key architects that built that Institution. His contributions and abilities to keep the band alive during trying times should always be remembered and commended. And he’s still going strong in 2015. Thanks for the music, Mr. Dickey Betts.
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