# Dickey Betts > Dickey Betts: The melodic heart of Southern rock's greatest twin-guitar band. The 10 greatest solos, the gear behind the sound and a quiz. Canonical URL: The melodic heart of Southern rock's greatest twin-guitar band 1960–2018 · The Allman Brothers Band · Second Coming · Dickey Betts & Great Southern · American ## Dickey Betts The melodic heart of Southern rock's greatest twin-guitar band Forrest Richard "Dickey" Betts was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, and grew up around bluegrass, country and Western swing. He started on ukulele at five, moved through mandolin and banjo, and eventually settled on guitar, playing in bands around Florida through the sixties. In 1967 he formed the group Second Coming with bassist Berry Oakley in Jacksonville. That band's jam sessions put Betts and Oakley in the orbit of Duane Allman, a gifted slide guitarist gathering musicians for a new project. In 1969 Betts co-founded the Allman Brothers Band with Duane and Gregg Allman, Oakley, Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny Johanson. Betts and Duane developed a revolutionary two-guitar approach, weaving harmony lines and counterpoint that often emerged spontaneously on stage. Betts wrote the jazzy instrumental "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" for Idlewild South, and the band's 1971 live album At Fillmore East became a landmark. When Duane was killed in a motorcycle crash in October 1971, Betts became the group's sole lead guitarist. Betts helped the band not only survive but reach its commercial peak. On 1973's Brothers and Sisters he wrote and sang "Ramblin' Man," the band's highest-charting single, and wrote the soaring instrumental "Jessica." His solo debut Highway Call followed in 1974. The Allmans broke up in 1976, reunited in 1979 for Enlightened Rogues, and split again in 1982. In between, Betts led Great Southern and later teamed with singer Jimmy Hall, keyboardist Chuck Leavell and Butch Trucks in a short-lived supergroup. A 1989 reunion tour tied to the Dreams box set turned into a lasting revival, with a younger generation of players joining the band. The Allmans entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, and a live version of "Jessica" won a Grammy in 1996. Betts parted ways with the band in 2000 and continued touring with his own groups, later sharing stages with his son Duane. A stroke and a head injury in 2018 ended his touring, and he died in 2024 at age 80. ## The 10 greatest Dickey Betts solos 1. [In Memory of Elizabeth Reed](https://greatestsolos.com/song/the-allman-brothers-band-in-memory-of-elizabeth-reed/) — The Allman Brothers Band · solo by Duane Allman, Dickey Betts · 1971 2. [Jessica](https://greatestsolos.com/song/the-allman-brothers-band-jessica/) — The Allman Brothers Band · solo by Dickey Betts · 1973 3. [Blue Sky](https://greatestsolos.com/song/allman-brothers-blue-sky/) — The Allman Brothers Band · solo by Duane Allman & Dickey Betts · 1972 4. [Whipping Post](https://greatestsolos.com/song/allman-brothers-band-whipping-post/) — The Allman Brothers Band · solo by Duane Allman & Dickey Betts · 1971 5. [Ramblin' Man](https://greatestsolos.com/song/the-allman-brothers-band-ramblin-man/) — The Allman Brothers Band · solo by Dickey Betts, Les Dudek · 1973 6. [Les Brers in A Minor](https://greatestsolos.com/song/the-allman-brothers-band-les-brers-in-a-minor/) — The Allman Brothers Band · solo by Dickey Betts · 1972 7. [Southbound](https://greatestsolos.com/song/the-allman-brothers-band-southbound/) — The Allman Brothers Band · solo by Dickey Betts · 1973 8. [High Falls](https://greatestsolos.com/song/the-allman-brothers-band-high-falls/) — The Allman Brothers Band · solo by Dickey Betts · 1975 9. [Revival](https://greatestsolos.com/song/the-allman-brothers-band-revival/) — The Allman Brothers Band · solo by Duane Allman & Dickey Betts · 1970 10. [Pony Boy](https://greatestsolos.com/song/the-allman-brothers-band-pony-boy/) — The Allman Brothers Band · solo by Dickey Betts · 1973 ## The sound Betts played with a sweet, singing tone and an unhurried melodic flow that owed as much to fiddle tunes and Western swing as to the blues. Where many rock guitarists leaned on pentatonic licks, he favored major-key melodies that sounded joyful and open, the sound behind "Jessica" and "Blue Sky." His phrasing often suggested a vocalist, and his solos built patiently toward climaxes. With Duane Allman, and later with other partners, he perfected harmonized twin-guitar lines that became a defining sound of Southern rock. - **1957 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop "Goldie"** (guitar) His signature guitar, heard on "Ramblin' Man"; he later refinished it in red. - **Gibson SG** (guitar) Used during various periods of his Allman Brothers career. - **Gibson ES-335** (guitar) A semi-hollow Gibson he played at different points in his career. - **Fender Stratocaster with a Seymour Duncan Hot Rail** (guitar) A modified Strat he used during the 1990s. - **PRS McCarty** (guitar) A favorite in the later stages of his career. - **Marshall 50-watt Super Lead** (amp) Pairs of these heads, driving 4x12 cabinets with JBL speakers, formed his main rig. - **Soldano SLO-100** (amp) A high-gain head he used for a period of time. ## Covers - **Statesboro Blues**, originally by Blind Willie McTell Betts answered Duane's famous slide with a crisp, stinging solo of his own. - **Stormy Monday**, originally by T-Bone Walker A gorgeously lyrical solo that showed his roots in jazz-inflected blues. - **Done Somebody Wrong**, originally by Elmore James He traded fiery phrases with Duane in a tight, punchy performance. - **You Don't Love Me**, originally by Willie Cobbs A lengthy live workout where the twin guitars stretch far beyond the original. - **Trouble No More**, originally by Muddy Waters The debut album's take drove the Chicago standard with twin-guitar muscle. - **One Way Out**, originally by Elmore James / Sonny Boy Williamson II His sharp, confident soloing helps make this live cut a fan favorite. ## Timeline - **1943** Born in West Palm Beach, Florida - **1967** Forms Second Coming with Berry Oakley - **1969** Co-founds the Allman Brothers Band - **1971** At Fillmore East released; becomes sole lead guitarist after Duane Allman's death - **1973** Writes "Ramblin' Man" and "Jessica" for Brothers and Sisters - **1974** Releases solo debut Highway Call - **1989** Allman Brothers reunite for a tour that becomes permanent - **1995** Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - **2000** Parts ways with the Allman Brothers Band - **2024** Dies in Osprey, Florida, at age 80 ## Facts 1. He started on ukulele at age five before moving to mandolin, banjo and guitar. 2. "Jessica" was inspired by his young daughter Jessica. 3. A version of "Jessica" became famous in the UK as the theme music of the BBC motoring show Top Gear. 4. "Ramblin' Man" was the Allman Brothers Band's highest-charting single. 5. "Blue Sky" featured his first lead vocal with the band. 6. He co-wrote "Bougainvillea" with actor Don Johnson. 7. His son Duane is named after Duane Allman and also became a guitarist. 8. After leaving the Allmans, he wrote a monthly column for Guitar World called "True Grit." 9. He painted his famous 1957 Goldtop Les Paul red, and Gibson later made signature models of both finishes. 10. His daughter Christy married Frank Hannon, guitarist of the band Tesla. ## Sources - [Wikipedia: Dickey Betts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dickey_Betts) --- GreatestSolos ranks the greatest guitar solos by consensus across published lists. 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