Allman Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts dies aged 80: Musician best known for group’s hit song Ramblin’ Man passed away ‘peacefully’ at Florida home

Dickey Betts, the guitarist from The Allman Brothers Band, has died at the age of 80.

His family confirmed on Instagram that the Ramblin’ Man performer passed away in his Osprey, Florida home surrounded by loved ones on Thursday.

‘The legendary performer, songwriter, bandleader and family patriarch passed away earlier today,’  the Betts family said. ‘Dickey was larger than life, and his loss will be felt world-wide.’

Betts is known for writing some of The Allman Brothers most famous songs such as ‘Revival’ and ‘In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.’

In 1969, Betts and bassist Berry Oakley formed The Allman Brothers band with Duane and Gregg Allman, according to The Big House Museum.

In 1969, Betts and bassist Berry Oakley formed The Allman Brothers band with Duane and Gregg Allman

Members of the band started solo careers in 1973, and when the group officially split up in 1976.

Betts went on to form Dickey Betts and Great Southern, then The Allman Brothers Band briefly reunited in 1978.

Variety reported that Gregg Allman’s testimony against the Allman Brothers Band’s security man Scooter Herring in a federal drug case led to the falling out.

For their 20th anniversary in 1989, The Allman Brothers Band regrouped and saw continued success throughout the ’90s. They were into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and won their first Grammy.

The guitarist was briefly ejection from the band following a 1993 scuffle with police at a tour stop as tension between him and Gregg Allman grew. 

Betts left the group in 2000 after Gregg Allman told him via fax that he was being replaced and he released a solo album in July 2001 called ‘Let’s Get Together.’

Journalist and ‘Almost Famous’ filmmaker Cameron Crowe told Rolling Stone that Betts inspired Stillwater guitarist character Russell Hammond.

‘Crudup’s look, and much more, is a tribute to Dickey,’ Crowe said. ‘Dickey seemed like a quiet guy with a huge amount of soul, possible danger and playful recklessness behind his eyes. He was a huge presence.’ 

In September 2018, Betts had brain surgery following a fall ‘while playing with the family dog,’ as he ‘slipped and cracked his head, causing bleeding from the brain.’

Betts is known for writing some of The Allman Brothers most famous songs such as ‘Revival’ and ‘In Memory of Elizabeth Reed’

Journalist and ‘Almost Famous’ filmmaker Cameron Crowe told Rolling Stone that Betts inspired Stillwater guitarist character Russell Hammond

Betts left the group in 2000 after conflict between him and Gregg Allman reached a head and he released a solo album in July 2001 called ‘Let’s Get Together’

In August of that year he suffered a mild stroke at his home, and was steadily recovering and responding ‘very well to treatment’ at the time of his fall.

Born Forrest Richard Betts in West Palm Beach on December 12, 1943, the performer has four children, Kimberly, Christy, Jessica and Duane.

Jai Johanny Johanson is now the sole living member of The Allman Brothers Band, as Gregg Allman died May of 2017 after a battle with liver cancer, while drummer Butch Trucks died of January in that year. 

The band has a tragic history littered with premature deaths, as Duane Allman was only 24 when he died in a motorcycle crash in October of 1971 in Georgia, while bass player Berry Oakley was also 24 when he died after a motorcycle crash close to the location of Allman’s crash in November of 1972.