The anniversary topic leads to the sticky issue of Allman Brothers Band founding guitarist Dickey Betts.The Sarasota County resident wrote, plays and sings lead on classic Allman Brothers recordings like "Ramblin' Man" and "Blue Sky. He's also the architect of the Allman Brothers' monumental rock instrumentals "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" and "Jessica."Read more.
Gregg, Butch and Jaimoe fired Betts from the band more than a decade ago.
Derek and Dickey shared guitar duties in the Allman Brothers Band from 1999 to 2000.
Trucks confirmed a rumor this reporter has heard before that during the Allman Brothers' 2009 Beacon Run, which served as a 40th anniversary and tribute to original leader Duane Allman, Derek's hero, Betts declined an offer to join his former band mates on stage.
"Personally, absolutely whatever problems they have are not my personal problems," Derek Trucks said about Betts playing with the Allman Brothers. "The band reached out to him for the tribute to Duane on the 40th anniversary and a lot has gone on. But I feel for it to go out right, it's a natural thing to do, with everybody in the right spirit."
Trucks added, again with a nervous laugh, that Betts has his "vote, but I don't know if it counts."
—Dickey Betts photo from Herald archives/dickeybetts.com
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3 comments:
dickey betts is still kickin ass - sounds better than the allman bros at this point to me - but they should get back together at least for a few gigs!
Betts was NOT invited properly by Mr. Trucks or the band...Derek was just told this from the elder Trucks!
I wouldn't have gone either with a "You can come, but..." invitation if I were Mr. Betts
...and actually this so-called invitation led to the no show for Betts to pick up his Lifetime Achievement Award.
Betts is by far taking the higher ground, and yes Bett's band is terrific!
I love Mr. Dickey, Forrest Richard ever so wonderful Betts, and have done for almost eons. Without him, the ...erm "Allman Bros. Band" is just a hollow, cashing-in exercise on a brand name. Love and peace to you dear Dickey.
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