The Allman Brothers Band pay tribute to founding member Dickey Betts in ... trends now
The surviving past members of The Allman Brothers Band are paying tribute to Dickey Betts, the late singer-songwriter and guitarist who died on Thursday at the age of 80.
While all but one of the original members of the band have now passed away, with the exception of Jai Johanny 'Jaimoe' Johanson, the subsequent members that joined the group over the years shared a heartfelt statement to People.
'With deep sadness the Allman Brothers Band learned today that founding member Dickey Betts has passed away peacefully in his home in Sarasota, Florida, following a period of declining health,' the Grammy winners shared in a press release to the publication.
They proceeded to highlight the impact Betts had on the band during his tenure from 1969 to 2000 with his songwriting and guitar playing.
'Dickey wrote quintessential Brothers songs including Blue Sky, Rambling Man, Jessica, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed and many others,' the statement continued.
'His extraordinary guitar playing alongside guitarist Duane Allman created a unique dual guitar signature sound that became the signature sound of the genre known as Southern Rock.'
The surviving former members of The Allman Brothers Band shared a heartfelt statement about former band founder Dickey Betts, one day after his death at the age of 80
Betts, who wrote many of the band's more recognizable songs like Ramblin' Man, was with the band from its formation in 1969, through two breakup until he left the band in 2000; he is seen jamming out in the mid-1970s
'He was passionate in life, be it music, songwriting, fishing, hunting, boating, golf, karate or boxing. Dickey was all in on and excelled at anything that caught his attention,' the surviving past members shared of the West Palm Beach, Florida native.
It's at this point in their tribute that they gave recognition to the founding members of The Allman Brothers Band, which formed in Jacksonville, Florida back in 1969, but ultimately they would be based in Macon, Georgia.
'Betts joins his brothers, Duane Allman, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks and Gregg Allman, as well as ABB crew, members Twiggs Lyndon, Joe Dan Petty, Red Dog, Kim Payne and Mike Callahan in that old Winnebago in the sky touring the world taking their music to all who will listen,' they added.
Surviving members include Chuck Leavell (keyboards), David Goldflies (bass), Warren Haynes (guitar), Johnny Neel (vocals), Marc Quiñones (percussion), Oteil Burbridge (bass), Derek Trucks (guitar) and Jimmy Herring (guitar).
The ABB statement, which was attributed to 'Allman Brothers Band, Family and Crew', concluded: 'Our condolences to his immediate family Donna, Duane & Lisa, Christy & Frank, Jessica and Kim. Play on Brother Dickey, you will be forever remembered and deeply missed.'
As a founding member, Betts played with the band
