Dickey Betts dies at 80

Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who helped to establish the Allman Siblings Band and composed their greatest hit, “Ramblin’ Man,” has kicked the bucket. He was 80.

The Stone and Roll Corridor of Famer kicked the bucket at his home in Osprey, Florida, David Spero, Betts’ administrator of 20 years, affirmed. Betts had been engaging malignant growth for over a year and had persistent obstructive pneumonic infection, Spero said.

“He was encircled by his entire family and he passed calmly. They didn’t think he was in any agony,” Spero said by telephone.

Betts imparted lead guitar obligations to Duane Allman in the first Allman Siblings Band to assist with giving the gathering its unmistakable sound and make another sort: Southern stone. Acts including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Youngster Rock, Phish and Jason Isbell — among numerous others — were impacted by the Allmans’ music, which consolidated the blues, country, R&B and jazz with ’60s rock.