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The Allman Brothers Band guitarist and founding member Dickey Betts died Thursday, Fox News Digital can confirm. The musician was 80.
“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Betts family announce the peaceful passing of Forrest Richard ‘Dickey’ Betts,” Betts’ manager David Spero said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“The legendary performer, songwriter, bandleader and family patriarch was at his home in Osprey, FL., surrounded by his family. Dickey was larger than life, and his loss will be felt world-wide,” the statement continued.
ALLMAN BROTHERS STAR DICKEY BETTS’ BRAIN SURGERY DEEMED A SUCCESS
Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band died Thursday at the age of 80. (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
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“At this difficult time, the family asks for prayers and respect for their privacy in the coming days. More information will be forthcoming at the appropriate time,” it added.
Spero told Rolling Stone that Betts died from cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Dickey Betts, center, and the Allman Brothers Band perform in 1981. (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
A separate statement from the Allman Brothers Band, family, and crew sent to Fox News Digital read in part, “With deep sadness the Allman Brothers Band learned today that founding member Dickey Betts has passed away peacefully in his home in Sarasota, Florida, following a period of declining health.”
“His extraordinary guitar playing alongside guitarist Duane Allman created a unique dual guitar signature sound that became the signature sound of the genre known as Southern Rock.”
The statement continued, “He was passionate in life, be it music, songwriting, fishing, hunting, boating, golf, karate or boxing. Dickey was all in on and excelled at anything that caught his attention.”
They sent their condolences to Betts’ immediate family, ending their statement saying, “Play on Brother Dickey, you will be forever remembered and deeply missed.”
Dickey Betts, center, was a founding member of the Allman Brothers Band. (AB Archive/Redferns/Getty Images)
Formed out of Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969, the Allman Brothers Band were a popular rock band with hits like “Ramblin’ Man” and “Blue Sky.” The original members included brothers Duane and Gregg Allman, as well as Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks, Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johnson and Betts.
Johnson, 79, is the only surviving founder.
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Following the death of Duane in 1971, Betts assumed the role of lead guitarist. The group ultimately disbanded in 1976, only to reunite years later without all the original members.
Over the years, Betts’ involvement with the group faced challenges, with him missing many of the band’s tours in the 1990s.
Dickey Betts performs in California in 1993. (Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
His final performance with the band came in 2000, the same year he was officially kicked out of the group. The departure was reportedly due to Betts’ alcohol and drug use.
Dickey Betts was kicked out of the Allman Brothers Band in 2000. (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
In September 2018, Betts was hospitalized following a freak accident in his Florida home. According to his website, Betts went out into his backyard with the family dog, “slipped and cracked his head, causing bleeding from the brain.”
The announcement explained that Betts was to undergo surgery to relieve the swelling in his brain. Still actively performing, Betts had suffered from a “mild stroke” the previous month.
Caroline Thayer is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. Follow Caroline Thayer on Twitter at @carolinejthayer. Story tips can be sent to caroline.thayer@fox.com.
