Dickie Betts

July 4, 2007

 Fans of the Allman Brothers Band (ABB) are well acquainted with the illustrious guitarist Forrest Richard “Dickey” Betts. He wrote the band’s hits “Ramblin’ Man,” “Jessica,” “Blue Sky,” “Southbound,” “In Memory Of Elizabeth Read,” “Crazy Love,” and “Revival.” He also brought several blues covers to the mix, such as “Statesboro Blues” and “One Way Out.”
So when Dickey Betts takes the stage with his band Great Southern this Monday, July 9, at the National Cherry Festival, he brings not only his songwriting credentials but his membership in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his Rolling Stone Magazine Top 100 Guitarists of All Time selection, and at the age of 63, his burning desire to make music and perform live.
It is amazing that Betts, such an integral part (and a founding member) of the ABB success, was fired — by fax — seven years ago by his bandmates. Since then, there have been the “he said” and “he did” stories floating around just like any in divorce. But Betts still isn’t saying anything; he lets his solo career and his blazing guitar do the talking.
Betts does speak with admiration of his days with the Allmans, and why wouldn’t he? After all, for 31 years he was the band’s anchor. But he has moved on.
“I know at first people thought this (solo thing) was just something I would do for a while and get it out of my system and I would rejoin the band,” said Betts. “But I think people have figured out that I am not going back.”
 
IN BETTS’ FOOTSTEPS
Betts’ replacements include Derek Trucks (whose uncle Butch Trucks is the drummer and a founding member of the band), who joined ABB just before Betts was fired. Trucks is joined by Govt. Mule guitarist Warren Haynes (a member of ABB, prior to forming Mule) for the two-guitar attack that was made famous by Betts and Duane Allman. Both Trucks and Haynes (also both on Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Guitarist list) grew up idolizing Betts now, every night they get to perform his songs. They will be in Northern Michigan with the Allman Brothers on Aug. 25 at Boyne Mountain.
As for the greatest dual lead guitar sound of all time, Betts speaks fondly of the late Duane Allman — who ranks, according to Rolling Stone, as the second greatest rock and roll guitarist of all time — and the short time they had together. Allman died in a motorcycle accident just two years after the formation of the Allman Brothers.
“Duane had this hard driving personality — that I call the ‘Triple Scorpio.’ He was full of energy and constantly driving all of us,” said Betts. “I think we would have been lost in the studio in the early years without him. He taught me so much, especially about aspects of music beyond my guitar playing.”
One year after Allman’s death and three blocks away from his fatal accident, bassist Berry Oakley was also killed in a motorcycle accident. Oakley was one of Betts’ best friends and was in Betts’ band, Second Coming, before the two formed ABB.

BEING CONNECTED
“It was tough time for all of us,” said Betts. “I think that Berry doesn’t always get his due when it comes to ABB. He contributed so much musically, but also to the image of the band. He taught me about being connected to the fans. He would look over all of our merchandise and make sure that our fans were getting their money’s worth. He would argue with promoters about keeping ticket prices in line so our fans to could afford to come and see us.”
In 1972 Betts took over the leadership of the ABB and guided the band to continued success. He took on both lead guitar roles and vocally fronted the band. The ABB remained together until 1976, and during a short hiatus, Betts formed Great Southern. The ABB would reform in 1978 with Betts at the helm until his firing in 2000.
Since then, Betts has been touring and performing non-stop. He’s also been busy in the studio and continues to write songs.
“I have plenty of new material—sometimes I think too much. I slide some new songs into the set,” said Betts. “I know what people want to hear, so I am careful not to overdo it on the new material.”
So, exactly what is it that Betts is sure that the audience wants to hear?
“I play Dickey Betts stuff,” said Betts. “Let’s put it this way, I play songs that are not closely related to ABB but closely related to me. I have not turned my back on any of my songs.”
At previous Great Southern shows, Betts has performed several ABB tunes that he wrote. But as one of the founders of the jam ban movement, Betts is moved by the moment, so set lists change often.
Regardless of what songs Betts pulls out of the arsenal, those in attendance will witness one of rock’s all-time greats. He has assembled a talented line-up that includes his son Duane Betts on lead guitar. Dickey Betts’ and Great Southern have the dual guitar (plus a third guitarist) and double drummer sound and look of the Allman Brothers. Make no mistake about it, this is a Dickey Betts concert — any resemblance to the Allman Brothers is purely coincidental and simply because for 31 years Dickey Betts was the ABB’s primary musical influence. (Sorry Greg.)