Dickey Betts On His Close Friendship With Gregg Allman

[@Paul71H]

RIP, Dickey Betts. Thank you for writing Blue Sky, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Jessica, Ramblin' Man, and many other songs that will continue to live on.

[@dr.buzzvonjellar8862]

Well said!

[@jackwezesa1081]

Love “ Pony Boy “ !

[@marcintime]

you took the words right out of my mouth! Dickey's songs and other Allman Bros classic's will live on forever. The songs you mention are just as fresh as they were back in the early seventies. Rest in peace, Dickey.

[@joshuawalls7102]

When did dickey die!?

[@Paul71H]

@@joshuawalls7102 Last week

[@thomasjoseph2050]

Rest in Peace Mr Betts! I’m 63 I loved your work since I was 16! A true legend no doubt.

[@Kate-it7cn]

Same here. And, in the past year I’ve been listening to Jessica and Ramblin man, at least 3 times a week drinking beer with my ear buds! Never felt so good!

[@jeffrey3498]

Well said! 😎👍

[@paulabrush3517]

Ditto that @thomasjoseph2050

[@jmangi6221]

Yep me too, I'm 62 and D Betts was always my favorite Allmn brothers member.

[@mowkie]

Right on sir! 9/13/60 was my debut and I was along for the ride!

[@bigdaddy7862]

I am so grateful I got to see Dickey perform over 20 times with the Allman Brothers between 1989-1999 Rest in Peace

[@amythompson6869]

I’m so jealous! They were a little before my time but wow what talent! ABB rock forever!❤️

[@mtadams2009]

I seen them in the early to mid 70’s and Dicky solo in the 80’s good times for sure. The ABB was a very powerful show.

[@jasonpitts8395]

Same. I saw him once with ABB.

[@DH-xm3hc]

I saw the ABB from '71 to '79. Always bought as many albums as they put out. RIP Dickey Betts

[@davidbates2808]

My first ABB concert was summer of 1996. Do you know if Dickie was with the band then?

[@patrickhite3026]

Dickie Betts was the glue that held the ABB together after Duanes death..I was fortunate enough to know & work for Gregg in the. 80s & Dickie would show up play & eventually there bands toured together which lead to the ABB reunion. .He was a master at guitar as well as his song writing..From Revival to In memory of Elizabeth Reed to Blue Sky to Rambling man & Jessica to High Falls..All classics...Jaimo is now the last man standing from the original six..R.I.P. Dickie Betts..You were a real 🍑

[@The7thSunSon]

Sucks getting old! Dicky Betts was the man! To me, without Betts there was no Allman Bros. RIP

[@f_9sersstuff853]

We are so fortunate that Mr Rather is such a music fan. Thank you for doing these interviews.

[@canislupis3129]

The guys from 60 Minutes always did the best and most credible interviews with musicians.

[@humphreygruntwhistle3946]

I’d rather have an interviewer who isn’t 107 years old, has been affiliated with the music business his entire life, and doesn’t require extensive research to interview his subjects.

[@bobmorr2892]

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed a masterpiece.

[@baneverything5580]

I used to have to play drums (alone usually except for a couple of short periods with backup) in a cover band to these songs. I had to sing and play Melissa. Some were very difficult to say the least. But the hardest Southern Rock songs to play and sing were Flirtin With Disaster by Molly Hatchet and their cover of Dreams by Allman Brothers.

[@jamesmicucci7028]

Signature tune, that & Blue Sky. The Fillmore East version of E. Reed, a part of my high school soundtrack, is beautifully performed by its author Dickey Betts and The Brothers. ...p.s., the day after Duane Allman died, some kids wore black armbands to school in tribute. And the winner when it came time to name/theme our Senior Prom? "One Way Out". I kid you not... but teachers or class officers overruled, of course, & defaulted to the runner-up, "Nights In White Satin".

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

@@jamesmicucci7028 -- There's many song/Senior Prom clash stories out there; I graduated from :Haw Skew" in 1973, soon after Alice Cooper had a huge hit with "School's Out." So you can guess what we insisted what was most appropriate(at a big AAA public HS in the Virginia DC suburbs - HAH ! !) Needless to say, we didn't get what we wanted; an appropriate lesson for High School Graduation Day. Oh, well -- that's one thing the Allman Brothers music is good for; you feel better, almost right away, almost every time ! !

[@seandoyle2983]

I played bass on that song with a band a while ago, it was a joy, tricky, but a joy.

[@markcourtneylindhorst4051]

Geninus stuff...

[@JasonsGuitarJams]

Such an amazing talent. RIP brother!

[@heathergasol569]

RIP Dickey Betts. You & The Allman Brothers Band provided so much beautiful music over the years. Southern Rock… The Allman Brothers, Lynard Syknard & The Marshall Tucker Band…. You all were the best ever!!!! Thank you for all the beautiful music 🙏🙌🙌🙌🩷

[@DirtySouthConnection803]

Blue Sky was played at my best friend's funeral back in 94. Thank you for all the great music! 🙏RIP Doug, Gregg and Dickey🙏

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Duane & Berry, too.🩵🤍🤍

[@adamsergan7135]

RIP, Dickey Betts.Thank You for all the music you created.

[@wb9285]

64 and grew up with them, we are lucky to have lived in their time, they have a great band in heaven.

[@DonnaLane-pw4rg]

Thank you Dicky for your amazing songs, you will be remembered as a pioneer of the Allman Brothers songs 😊

[@dougbodenhamer9391]

Rest easy, brother Dickey. Go ramblin' into those blue skies, and I know you'll have one hell of a reunion jam session w Duane, Gregg, Barry and Butch!

[@SleepyJoesDiaper]

Jamioe is the last original member left.

[@dougbodenhamer9391]

@@SleepyJoesDiaper yes he is.

[@j.reveille6815]

And Allen woody

[@jimbanda]

His legacy is secure. RIP Dickey ❤

[@gothamlab]

I could listen to this man tell stories for days. Legend!

[@jacklundeen9240]

Ramblin Man brought me to the Allman Brothers as a teenager. Now a quarter century later, they are one of my favorite bands. RIP Dickey, you’ll be missed!

[@rawjoice3897]

What a beautiful soul.... so down to earth....... original ABB are in my DNA... at 13, I walked alone down the Mountain in West Orange, NJ to South Mountain Arena in 1971 to see ABB and Buddy Miles.. Despite my age = tipping point in the trajectory of my life... ...the ABB blew me away.... me being by myself at 13, let in the side door of the arena by the guards, and when the ABB came on and played whipping post, I serioiusly had a de ja vu or archetypal moment where there was a sense of familiarity, despite never hearing them before. After that night was over, there was a departure for me in life. I felt elevated and changed forever. Lucky girl to have been on that intrepid wave of exciting original newness, Thank you Dicky from the bottom of my heart and way out beyond!! 💔💔💓💓💟💟🎸🎸☮☮🕊🕊🕊🕊

[@steveparish9210]

What a neat story 😊

[@ronaldnowry6]

One of the most influential figures in music of the 20th century! Loved his music. Highway Call is a masterpiece!

[@AB-bo9rp]

Thanx Mr Betts for the large Soundtracks I have Lived ,Loved ,Cried and Laughed to in My years here on this beautiful Planet! R.I.P. Dickey Betts!

[@2112CO]

I absolutely love The Allman Brothers Band!

[@sandydority2532]

RIP Dickey,, I'm so happy I got to see you in person. You left behind so much great music. Rest in Rock n Roll heaven☮️💙🎸🙏

[@gypzs9]

Definitely some of the background music if my lifetime. Dickey, a fine musician.

[@IvanLendl87]

Dickey was quite honestly one of the most deeply musical humans on planet earth. For many decades he was always looking to play, always looking to create music. His after-hours shows in New Orleans in the 1970’s are a thing of legend.

[@dougschwamb9653]

I had the good fortune to be introduced to the Allman Brothers Band shortly after Duane's tragic death and from that point on I was completely absorbed. The Allman Brothers experience was and still is one of a kind. Highway Call kept me afloat many days along with all of the unique musical sagas. Miss ya Dickie, you made a difference is this world.

[@GoldTop57]

What a legend. One of my biggest musical heroes. I have a 57 gold top custom shop reissue I bought back in 2003, and he’s the reason I always wanted that guitar.

[@Marcus_C51]

That's awesome, I've wanted a Gold Top for the longest time! Congrats on having yours. Someday I'll have to get one...

[@mattsweeny3957]

Dickey was one genuine Good Ol Boy RIP pal...& Gregg

[@Johnnynbk]

Dickey and Gregg had very similar ez going manner and were true brothers of the road.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

That’s correct, it’s that southern hospitality

[@JasonNation72]

Thanks for the music and the memories, Mr. Betts. May you rest among the "Blue Sky" (one of my favorite all time songs).

[@vickyarnall4378]

I had never heard of this gentleman until today as my husband said 'Dickey Betts has died'. I've since done a little research and discovered 'Jessica', which I'd actually heard. My thought and best wishes go out to his family and friends. Thank you for being part in creating such a fantastic musical legacy that will still be influencing many lives for years to come. xxxxx

[@allenf.5907]

I'm still touched and moved by this loss. Our little rock group played almost the entire live album in 71 and 72 live at school dances no less. We did not play Elizabeth Reed however. Too complex. Dickey was such a key to the band through his playing,, singing and writing. The perfect balance to Duane and Gregg, no matter what period. ABB will always live on through their incredible uniquely American music. Going to play Blue Sky right now.

[@mrs.dukakis7012]

Met Dickey when I checked him into the Holiday Inn in Framingham, MA about 40 years ago. He was playing nearby, asked if I could procure something for him, which I did. Got to the venue later, went backstage, enjoyed the show and had a raucous time afterward. Thanks for the music, the memories and a good story to tell.

[@samlott99]

On that occasion, you were "Mr. Jones."

[@KittyGrizGriz]

R.I.P. brother Dickey, you sure made those cowboy hats-boots-jeans look good not to mention your fantastic guitar slinging/singing. You were the,,,♥️,,, of the band & I loved reading the autobiography “My Cross to Bear” by Alan Light & Gregg Alman. Whew! What a life story you and the whole band have had! Passing at 80 yrs old is a blessing as you were long lived. Thank you for the music of my youth-life, one of my forever-a-favorite bands🤍🤍🤍

[@sandyl1899]

Thank you each and everyone one of you! Rock and roll will never die!❤

[@jorgearevalomateus7034]

This one hits especially hard. Dickey showed everyone how two guitars playing extended melodic lines could create beauty, passion, and with more than a streak of blues. Even Les Paul was taken with Dickey's musicality and technique. A one of a kind guitarist. Dickey outdid almost everyone with his expressive, melancholic musicality. With his aways impressive improvisational style, he was more than a master of the instrument. For my generation, he wasn't a guitar god, together with Duane, they were God. Jam on Mr. Betts and thank you, a true Allman brother to the end. Time for shots and listening to Live at Fillmore East!

[@kanasatka1]

RIP Dickey. Thanks for all the great music. N

[@Saybleu]

IN MEMORY OF ELIZABETH REED is a constant rotation ( the final Fillmore version imo is the best thing ever committed to tape ). Thank you Dickey and Duane for adding so much to my life. You guys are together again. RIP DICKEY ☮️🕊️🙏🎸🎸

[@nylesfrench3568]

Great Interview, more of a conversation. Dickie had several incredible lives😊😂

[@chuckbrasher731]

I saw home one weeknight in Jackson Ms. Small club and not well attended. Maybe 50 people He came out, said all our friends were going to miss a hell of a show. And it was. Played 4+ hours He then told everyone to come to the bus and meet him. He talked to each person, personally signed a photo and thanked us all. RIP Dickey Betts

[@WilliamJones-q5w]

He will always be one of the best, and influence of him for me, has kept me writing and rocking and Loving life Thanks friend!

[@arthurshingler2025]

RIP, Mr. Betts! Your music has always kept me driving, and will forever keep me alive. Your spirit and memory will always remain with me. I wish we could have met!

[@thirdsamuel6643]

Thanks for all the good times my friend, i will never forget the days we spent at the farm wiith you and Sandy and Papa Harold, rest in peace my friend....Sam

[@bobfadness8321]

got to see Dickey at a small venue with great southern.his son was with him.standing in front of stage.was awesome.thank you Dickey

[@stevenhulbert7540]

RIP Mr. Betts, the talent you had was immense. Thank you for writing the songs that stood the test of time and those of who know real talent admire and respect you as a man and a guitar player, you are missed.

[@taimeuppe6174]

RIP Dickey..some great memories of Allman's concerts right after Duane passed

[@ThePeavey23]

Rip to this legend this band has so much influence on so many modern musicians including myself

[@PatrickRyder-k1n]

Great player!! Great songwriter!!

[@DaleCrommie]

Thank you. Allman Brothers.🔥🔥🔥

[@davidjduggan7584]

I am blessed to have seen the Allman Bros several times, including when Jimmy Carter introduced the band in Boston and also at Watkins Glen. They would play for hours and hours. Still love the band.

[@redzonesportscards2021]

Great story teller. RIP!

[@Mike-oj1tm]

Love this ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jimmyb207]

Dickey wrote some of the most epic Allman Brothers tunes. RIP Brother.

[@jewelramsey1491]

Two Very Talented Musicians R I P To Both Of Them ❤❤

[@davidlyonsjr9627]

Allman Brothers band brothers and sisters was my first album as a Christmas gift from my dad. Saw them four times, 3 in Alabama one concert in Georgia. December 8th 2023 saw his son and Gregg Allman's son and their band Allman family revival at Montgomery. Alabama.

[@anitap6361]

The band was incredibly awesome!God rest yalls souls!

[@bermudaguy5003]

Good ol' Dickey got a twinkle in his eyes when he mentioned Carmella, I love it! I asked my wife & daughter to hopefully buy an Allman Brothers CD today, I'm now 72 & it's hard for me to go shopping because my legs don't don't work so well anymore. Their music took you through a range of emotions! One of the greatest bands of that wonderful era!

[@johnrussell3986]

I've seen Mr Betts play at least 8 times since 1980. I started playing guitar because of his songs and his talent. I bought guitars like Dickey played and a Marshall 50 Watt Plexi half stack... Because that's what he used. I wish I was able to meet him personally but that would never be the case. What an inspiration. THANK YOU DICKEY for all the JOY that you've given so many throughout so many years. My favorite songs that I try to play are Dickey's. To Dickey... May your Skies Always Be BLUE! John Russell,Dade City Fl. and Buffalo NY.❤😊

[@LittleFly75]

Just a master at capturing the essence of a story through his playing alone, absent of any lyric. Then, equally as masterful at crafting southern poetry over beautiful melodies. Simply brilliant.

[@dogbone277]

First time I really became aware of the Allman brothers was summer in high school going to the quarry to swim and listening to Brothers and Sisters on the way. I'm guessing that was 74 and have been a fan ever since. RIP guys!

[@Georgiajason]

Ole Dickey. On a whole nother level of life. Can’t wait to be there too Mr Betts.

[@scarpfish]

I'm proud to have had _Jessica_ as my phone ringtone for a number of years now. To me, it's a masterpiece rock instrumental and a true slice of Americana. RIP Dickie, and while we mourn your passing, we take solace that the Allman brothership on the other side just got more complete.

[@tmcmojo2292]

You sure were able to capture joy and innocence in Jessica Dickey!! Thank-you!!!

[@danielcombs3048]

Dickey Betts to me is the formost King of Southern Rock. As a young boy being shuffled back and forth from Phx Az. and HB Calf. between my parents after their divorce. Thousands of miles on Greyhound bus. Not knowing that I had grown to become a until that song was released. Then I realized I had become what he was singing about. A Rambling Man. Thanks D.B. see you at the station. I'll be on that Bus 🚌

[@muffinman4353]

Very sad to hear. Great guitarist....Saw the Allman Brothers back in the Seventies when the, "Eat A Peach" album was released. Great music, great memories.

[@JoeMartinez-l5x]

I learned some play my guitar the greatest dicky Betts love his music

[@Bruce-1956]

RIP Dickey, thanks for the music.

[@tinaflores7503]

Southern rock is now officially in heaven. Rock on boys

[@Jim-p7c]

What a talent really will be missed

[@kayandaeddings4803]

I had the pleasure of going to the Allman Brothers Band concert and concord California back in 1997 with my school. That was a heck of a concert that they put on. Rest in peace Greg Allman, and Dickie Betts. And rest in peace to the others that was in the band. Specially Dwayne Allman as well.

[@robertovarlet4286]

Dicky thanks for all the great music 🎶 🎵 🎶 u were the best 🙏

[@walterkolasinski6405]

Dickie....all you guys are together again and probably sharing some good stuff Loved all of your music and so glad that your legacy will live on through your son and Greggs

[@Fasteddie826]

What a down to earth man, I could listen to his playing all day long.

[@meattooth1303]

1st saw him when i was 20 in 1990. My folks always had Abros blasting since birth and then the Bros made a comeback starting when i was in college. I totally recall their brothers and sisters album cover sitting on the coffee table. Folks used album covers to clean their weed. Anyway, I pretty much saw them each summer in either RDU or CLT or both with dickey during the 90s. After he was kicked out, I still went to see the Bros every summer thru the 00s.

[@wataboutya9310]

Dickeys stories put a smile on my face this morning.

[@MrBadgerland]

Yes sir! Same here!

[@lisamalone2647]

Blessings to the Family! RIP Dickie Betts 🌹🕊 💔 🎸 🎤 🎹 🥁 🎶 🍄 🍑

[@jeffrey-ye9qv]

love this dude

[@tefenstrat]

This Interview is SO COOL and and am SO thankful that Dan Rather did this before Dickey passed. When I first started watching this video I thought that Dickey was maybe "over the hill" but thank goodness I was SO wrong. Dickey was still extremely sharp minded. Such fun stories, for this old super fan it was wonderful. Funny thing, when I was a young man and I started playing guitar in my first band, the first song we learned to play " In memory of Elizabeth Reed". Just shows you where our minds were at....we were already HUGE Allman Brothers fans.

[@jaykern4128]

Another great band I was fortunate to see 6 times,they were excellent in concert, they had some really good songs

[@_I_KNOW_HOW_THE_FLOWERS_FELT_]

♥️🙏♥️ Dickey Betts Is a Absolute Legend ♥️🙏♥️

[@uversa7]

Dickey made us several songs that will stand the test of time. Truly unique and beautiful. I won't name them because most people know them and have heard them. He wrote and sang the hit, money making songs for the band.

[@chrissyc1996]

Eat a Peach and Brothers and Sisters were in heavy rotation on my father 's turntable while I was growing up. I never got to see the ABB live but I was fortunate to be in the audience the night the Dickie Betts Band recorded Ramblin Man : Live at the St. George Theater. RIP Dickie Thank you for the music.

[@petset77]

Wow. Amazing stories. Jessica has such a lovely melody, it had to be something special. I saw those guys a couple of times in the early 70s when I was young... high school young. Once was a free gig in a park with the stage being a flatbed trailer. They rocked (of course). I went to paying concerts a couple of times after that. I didn't follow them much later, but Betts was amazing. I'm an old mostly punk rock bass player who just learned Jessica on guitar.... just because a video of it popped up on my youtube list. Like a lot of the classic rock and other stuff I came up on, I hadn't heard it in years. Great song, and I had to pick it up. I'm here listening to him talk because of that. The man could flat out play. Great interview. RIP

[@w.l.graves7228]

thank you dickey , for a lifetime of fantastic music !

[@rogerdodger6025]

RIP Dickey Betts, another legend gone.

[@tomlund4951]

Damn we were lucky to have him! 😊

[@panchocarlo]

It is so cool to listen to an icon that you grew up admiring just to talk frankly about things like that.

[@thefamily6304]

What a great band,,,,,,,,never forget At the top of their game forever.

[@ScottKother]

2005 pompano beach seafood festival. Dickey and Great Southern. One of the best shows I've ever seen

[@beefheart67]

Live At The Fillmore East one of the greatest live LPs RIP 🙏

[@stevestudley5685]

RIP Dicky Betts

[@barrywilliamsjr5390]

R.I.P to the legendary Dickey Betts. I think the 2 greatest rock instrumentals of all time is Mountain Jam and Jessica. Rambling Man is one of those timeless classics and Blue Sky is one of those songs that is more powerful when it's done live as evidenced by their masterful version of the song at Woodstock 94. I had the pleasure of seeing The Allman Brothers Band perform in 1991 at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pa and Little Feat opened the show. Both bands were fantastic and the Allman Brothers performed for 2 hours and 45 minutes. When it came to great live bands, it didn't get any better than the Allman Brothers Band 💯

[@pluck593]

Dickey didn't write Mountain Jam. The melody, Once There was a Mountain, was written by Donovan Leitch.

[@PlayerToBeNamedLater1973]

Saw Dickie and Lonnie Mack play a long time ago and it was a hell of a show. Two premier guitar players and singers really enjoying themselves. Everyone there was having a good time

[@kellytransportexcavating839]

A true legend! Rest in peace

[@Macntosh2]

Great talent. Loved his guitar playing.

[@themancaveclub]

Just an amazing musician amazing guitar player. We certainly won’t see another unique individual like Dickey!

[@terryjordan9417]

Dickey thank you for everything you are the best

[@keithpowell7728]

After spending years learning ABB songs on guitar, out of all the great songs Dickey wrote and the band wrote together In Memory of Elizabeth Reed is the most fun to play and in my opinion their best. Duane’s solo is haunting and all the riffs and themes are incredible

[@devilsden2283]

Thanks for the great memories Dickey, miss you already brother....only wish this interview had been with a "living" human being...

[@jamesdelcol3701]

Gregg had an incredible love for him. When people love big, they break up big too. Gregg felt that Dicky was the Allman Brothers Band. And that is wasn't the Allman Brothers Band without him. Gregg was singing songs, cutting a solo record hoping to get him back in the band in 82'. Gregg Allman wanted Dicky Betts in the band. They just had a little fight. You can have a little argument with a real friend. We're all human and we all have little problems. They were the best of friends and that is obvious. Their music is my favorite to this day. It touches my soul.

[@juliegoff1731]

Love you Dickie ❤️🎸miss you terribly Rambling man ,Blue sky is the bomb

[@barrywilliamsjr5390]

Mountain Jam is an Allman Brothers Band song! I bought the Eat A Peach album in 1989 and it says on the record that the band, along with Donovan wrote Mountain Jam and that the song was based on the song first there is a mountain, which the band turned into an improvisational jam that lasted over 33 minutes. So Dickey Betts co- wrote the song along with the other band members and Donovan.