By Geoffrey Huchel
Dickey Betts, the influential singer, songwriter and guitarist of the Allman Brothers, passed away April 18, 2024 from cancer and COPD, at his home in Osprey, Florida, surrounded by his family. He was 80.
Dickey Betts was born Forrest Richard Betts on December 12, 1943. Betts grew up in a musical family, listening to bluegrass, country and Western swing music. Early in his childhood he began playing the ukele, and as he grew older he moved on to the mandolin, banjo and guitar.