NICK DANZIO February 13, 2012, 21:10:33

WE ALL KNOW THE REAL REASON WHY ONE OF THE GREATEST PLAYERS OF OUR GENERATION WAS NOT THERE. IT’S ABOUT TIME MR. ALLMAN GETS OFF HIS HIGH HAMMOND AND BRINGS BACK OUR BROTHER, MR. RICHARD BETTS. AFTER THE DEATH OF DUANE IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR DICKEY THEIR WOULD NOT BE ANY ALLMAN BROTHERS FOR MR. ALLMAN TO CALL HIS OWN.
I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK DICKEY FOR BEING THE MAN. THESE 43 YEARS WOULD NOT BE IF NOT FOR DICKEY BETTS. FROM THE FILLMORE EAST AND WEST TO TO DICKEY SOLO AT THE CALDERONE IN NY BACK TO THE BEACON. FROM MEMBERS OF GREAT SOUTHERN ONLY TO BECOME REGULAR ABB MEMBERS. I KNOW DICKEY KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING. THANKS AGAIN MR BETTS FOR YOU SIR ARE AN ORIGINAL AND ALWAYS WILL BE AN ALLMAN BROTHER. THANKS FOR ALL THE MEMORIES AND SEE YOU IN ST PETE SOON.
REGARDS, MR . NICKY D

Fred February 13, 2012, 23:24:23

With all respect to Danzio (or should I say “DANZIO”?), there is a reason Dickey was ousted. Although I love and respect what he has done, his final years in the Allmans were far less than stellar. For the sake of the music, it was time for his cringe-worthy solos to go. Case in point, listen to Great Southern’s DVD that was released a few years back. An official product release that has moments that are nothing short of embarrassing. It’s too bad they all couldn’t share the stage for one night, but Dickey back in the band? I shudder to think so.

Panama February 14, 2012, 02:01:01

Enough BS about Dickey. It’s the band’s problem. We should all be thankful for Duane. He made it happen and was the impetus that created what many feel is the greatest live album of all time … Live At Filmore If you haven’t heard it, get it, put on some headphones, get your favorite beverage or smoke, kick back, tell everyone to leave you alone, close your eyes and be prepared for a mix of blues, rock and jazz that will enter your soul and fly you away. Then once you’re hooked, get Eat A Peach and put on Mountain Jam. Brilliance at its best!

Southern Man February 14, 2012, 04:40:56

Panama: Not sure what your point is here – to start praising Duane to the skies when Dickey’s role in the Brothers is the issue. And I don’t see how anyone could deny that without Dickey the Brothers would not have survived Duane’s (and Barrys!) by too many months. He made them the act that got them the “Band of the Year” award in 1973 by writing, among other things, “Ramblin’ Man”, and they all enjoyed success and monetary rewards after that that they could only dream of earlier. That the band, because of the leading role Dickey assumed, took a different direction musically from what Duane had stood for, that’s something that many of the hardcore early fans never seem to have been able to forgive Dickey for. But think about this for a minute: Who can say he/she knows what the band would have turned out to be had Duane been around longer? “Live at Fillmore East” is a pinnacle, and it’s hard to stay at that level of accomplishment for a length of time, unless you decide to change the formula that proved so successful for a while. That’s what Dickey initiated, and he deserves to be remembered for that, and in a good way. His no-show at the Grammies is all too reminiscent of his absence at the Beacon run in 2009, and that was hardly due to his not accepting a sincere invitation from the rest – such an invitation was never offered (from all we know.) The Brothers deserve all they are getting these days, but when it comes to “lifetime achievements”, Dickey is part of the picture, and I can’t see how any real fan could ever forget that.
Just my two cents’ worth …

rachel molly February 14, 2012, 12:15:12

Here is what I have to think about this… http://www.wholephamily.com/2012/02/blue-sky-singers-can-reconcile-embrace.html

SassySchmidty February 15, 2012, 01:58:15

Yes Dickey Betts was an integral part of the group from the start, he needs to be honored for that, let go of the past his place in history is earned. Fillmore East one of the greatest recordings ever period. There is no substitute for the Duane-Dickey solos and trading riffs off each other, I have listened over 35 years AWESOME! Still sounds amazing. Timeless

SassySchmidty February 15, 2012, 01:58:16

Yes Dickey Betts was an integral part of the group from the start, he needs to be honored for that, let go of the past his place in history is earned. Fillmore East one of the greatest recordings ever period. There is no substitute for the Duane-Dickey solos and trading riffs off each other, I have listened over 35 years AWESOME! Still sounds amazing. Timeless

Rubben February 16, 2012, 07:01:31

This is great….Thanks!!

claptonbuck February 20, 2012, 20:12:14

I’ve seen the Allman’s without Betts and I’ve seen Dickie Betts with the Great Southern.
The better guitar playing (and band) was Dickie Betts. Haynes and D. Trucks, although technically good, just don’t have the fire. To me their sound is generic.

robslob February 28, 2012, 18:30:17

Look, I’ve seen the Brothers 21 times (a low number on their website, where I hang out a lot). Dickey Betts wrote a lot of their best tunes. Yeah, he carried the band for awhile after Duane and Berry died. But friends, that’s past history. Any hard core Allman Brothers fan like myself knows that Dickey has some very serious substance abuse issues. Also, lets put it in perspective. They booted him in the year 2000. About six months later he was arrested for domestic violence for the second time in a year or two (both incidents involved his wife). Way back in 1993 he missed some shows with the Allmans due to court mandated counseling, again related to domestic violence. This and his substance issues just became too much, and the substances were affecting their performances. Gregg cleaned up over 15 years ago. Dickey seems to have no interest in doing the same. If you’d seen the band as many times as I have, both late in the Dickey era and later with Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes on guitar, you’d know what I know: The band’s live performances took a HUGE leap forward after they booted Dickey.

Johanna Renfro March 1, 2012, 00:08:53

I’ve seen the ABB several times, and a year ago, saw Dickey Betts & Great Substance here on the west coast, (Redondo Beach’s Brixton). It was the worst, f’ed up performance by a ‘headliner’ Ive ever seen.
Talking trash, throwing shot glasses, walked out on stage after long delay, looked around, and left , telling the audience’ we’ll be back when the stage is ready”???
are you kidding me? You mean, when the Guitar player is ready. Duane Betts played really well, and it looks like Dickey is now tearing down his own band, including his son, the way he did with the
ABB...Please no more,“bring back Dickey” or its Gregg’s fault. That is BS
I hope he gets help, and his accomplishments with the ABB will last forever, but enough already. His playing was terrible and ‘embarrasing’ is the best word to describe some moments. When Betts attempted to play Jimmy Page’s solo in heartbreaker, I almost laughed my ass out of the building….Just like Butch Cassidy & The Suindance Kid…when your time is up, and youre done…its time to go.

simon george July 23, 2012, 19:02:42

I think a lot of people would argue with me about this, but I think the Allman Brothers are the best jam band ever. Of course, I may be bias since I’m from the south. Great post keep up the hard work. Check these out IStillGotMyGuitar