Very sad news about Dickey Betts this week, you hate to hear it.
If you haven’t already heard, the legendary guitarist and founding member of The Allman Brothers Band passed away this past Thursday at 80 years old after a battle with cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
An inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Allman Brothers Band, Betts’ guitar playing had an indescribable impact on southern music and rock and roll in general, and he has left behind an incredible catalog of work to prove it. The West Palm Beach, FL native and genius behind hits like “Ramblin’ Man,” “Jessica,” “Blue Sky,” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” Betts also played for years as the frontman of his own band Great Southern, and his music has influenced and inspired countless artists over the years, and will continue to impact many, many more moving forward.
Perhaps none more, though, than his own son, Duane Betts. An accomplished guitarist and musician in his own right, Betts’ musical endeavors, among others, include co-founding The Allman Betts Band, a stint with folk rock outfit Dawes, and most recently playing with his band Duane Betts and the Palmetto Motel. In the wake of his father’s passing, the younger Betts took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message on how much his father meant to him.
“Oh dad, I miss you so much. You are the brightest light. I have looked up to you for the 46+ years we have shared on this planet together. I am filled with gratitude to the deepest depths of my soul for what you taught me and the values you instilled in me.
I know you will always be right here with me. After all, your blood is running through my veins… Right now, I am imagining you fishing off the sea wall by our old house with a beer sitting next to you, wrapped up in one of those beautiful Florida sunsets. That was your heaven.
My father was a force to be reckoned with in many ways. Anyone who has met him or watched him play can attest to that. At his core he was just an extremely sweet and sensitive soul. He left us an amazing body of work to enjoy, laugh, cry, and dance to that will never die. I am so proud of what he accomplished in his lifetime.
You did damn good, dad. Your light will continue to shine at the highest frequency forever. We’ll meet again on down the road. Love you. Duane”
As tragic as Dickey Betts’ passing is, there ought to be some peace in knowing that his memory, and the impact he has had on music, will live on forever.
So, with that being said, make sure to crank up The Allman Brothers up extra loud this week in Dickey’s honor. Cue “Ramblin’ Man”…
And “Jessica” too, for good measure. An absolute masterpiece.
And while we’re at it, Duane Betts sure knows his way around a guitar, too.
Here he is playing “Blue Sky,” and Allman Brothers classic written by his father and originally released in 1972 on their iconic record Eat a Peach.
