The Allman Brothers Band shaped Southern rock - and became world famous. Founding guitarist Dickey Betts has died at the age of 80. Our obituary.
Dickey Betts was the archetype of the gritty southern rocker. So much so that director Cameron Crowe modeled a main character after him in Almost Famous, his 2000 cinematic homage to rock's golden era. Russell Hammond, played by Billy Crudup - on the one hand a quiet, lovable and highly gifted guitarist, but on the other hand a constantly smoldering rowdy nature and tendency towards the abyss - is also visually based on the co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band: mustache, chin-length hair and a Gibson Les Paul always within reach . Now the iconic southern legend has died at the age of 80. His life would provide material for a dozen films - with great film music, of course.
Dickey Betts was considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time
It could come from the Tedeschi Trucks Band, for example. From Marcus King, Blackberry Smoke, the Black Crowes, Gov't Mule, Leif de Leeuw or from the many bands in which his children or those of his bandmates are involved. Their music is unthinkable without Forrest Richard “Dickey” Betts' work and his revolutionary use of the guitar in the band structure. For his contribution to rock history, he was included in Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
In 1969, Dickey Betts founded the Allman Brothers Band
Of course, his achievement is directly linked to the history of the Allman Brothers, which he founded in 1969 with Duane and Gregg Allman. With the slide virtuoso Duane, who died in an accident in 1971, the guitarist, who grew up with blues, bluegrass and country, implemented his vision of equal lead guitars whose two-part work gives the pieces at least as much structure as a sung chorus. This previously unheard of sound changed the rock world.
It is significant that the delightful clash of soulful blues and accurate bluegrass harmonies on a rock basis was heard on a live album with great public appeal for the first time: “Live at the Fillmore East” (1971) is a testament to the outstanding abilities of everyone involved . The Allman Brothers Band, but especially Allman and Betts, did not need the safety net of a multitrack studio recording for their vision of music. They also rely on cross-genre, stylistic and cultural diversity - unlike some genre colleagues who rely on exclusion and southern bias.
Betts, who was born in Florida in 1943, was also responsible for the country component of the Allman sound, which also includes jazz and change through improvisation - as well as the warm-hearted southern soul influence of his compositions. When he shaped the band as the sole guitarist and second singer after the death of his congenial partner, his greatest songs were created: for example the instrumental "Jessica", dedicated to his daughter, and the Allman Brothers' greatest commercial success, "Ramblin' Man". The restless wanderer described in it undoubtedly has autobiographical traits: Betts was married five times and leaves behind four children. Among them is his son Duane, who supported him as a guitarist in his solo projects after he was kicked out of the band due to persistent alcohol problems. A life fit for a film, as I said, which now ended in a reconciliatory, fulfilled and surrounded by his family.