Forrest Richard "Dickey" Betts was born on this day in 1943. Betts was the cofounder of the Allman Brother Band and was the writer and singer on the Allmans' only hit single, "Ramblin' Man". He also gained renown for composing instrumentals, with one appearing on most of the group's albums, the most notable of these being "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" and "Jessica." Betts was inducted with the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
You may remember, Betts suffered a stroke in August 2018. Then, the following month, he fell while playing with his dog in his backyard and “cracked his head, causing bleeding in his brain.” At the time, Betts was listed as in “critical but stable condition.” Betts underwent surgery and according to his website the surgery was a success, however, we lost Dickey on April 18, 2024 after a battle with cancer, he was 80.
In Dickey's memory, check him out singing "Ramblin Man" from 1972 (above)