Dickey Betts was one of the founding members of The Allman Brothers Band, along with brothers Duane and Gregg, Berry Oakley, Jai Johanson and Butch Trucks. Along with Duane Allman, Betts helped to forge the sound not only of The Allmans, but of blues-influenced Southern rock as well. Duane Allman began recording as a hired gun in the renowned FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, but after growing weary of the scene relocated to Jacksonville, Florida in 1969 and formed the band that bore his name.
As well as Allman and Betts on guitar, the band was also unusual for employing two drummers in Trucks and Johanson. The Allman Brothers began to record and tour to a wider audience than just their Florida compatriots, and among others supported unlikely artists such as The Velvet Underground. They often wrote songs based around extended jam sessions, as well as drawing on jazz, blues and country.
Dickey was influenced by rock and roll artists like Chuck Berry, while Duane was a fan of James Brown and B.B. King.
The rest of the band drew from the likes of The Rolling Stones and other classic acts of the 1960s. Betts in particular was known for his melodic style of lead guitar, while Allman famously added the slide work to Derek and the Dominos’ classic track, . The British TV show featured the Betts-penned track as its theme tune for many years, and it’s likely that listeners will recognise that song, even if they’re unfamiliar with who recorded it.
The Allman Brothers band earned man.