Dickey Betts, legendary singer, songwriter, guitarist and co-founding member of the Allman Brothers Band died on Thursday morning (4-18). As reported first by Rolling Stone, his cause of death, was cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
A statement from the family read: “It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Betts family announce the peaceful passing of Forrest Richard ‘Dickey’ Betts at the age of 80 years old.”
Betts helped propel the band to stardom with his song “Ramblin’ Man.” He was also responsible for writing such classics as “Jessica,” “Blue Sky,” and “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed.”
Betts legacy expanded into film… He was reportedly the inspiration for the character played by Billy Crudup in Cameron Crowe‘s 2000 film Almost Famous.
He released several solo albums and was involved with the Allman Brothers Band reunion in 1989.
When we last spoke to Betts he was preparing to release a new album, Ramblin’ Man: Live at the St. George Theatre. He was proud of the way the Allman Brothers songs have endured over the years and he told us this:
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