Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80

Dickey Betts, who died on Thursday at 80, was born a ramblin' man.

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He was born on 12 December 1943, in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States.

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He left home at 16 to join the circus and eventually became a well-known guitarist who toured the world with the Allman Brothers Band.

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He wrote the group's biggest song, "Ramblin' Man," and continued to tour until he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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Betts died at his home in Osprey, Florida, his manager of 20 years, David Spero, confirmed over the phone.

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He had been battling cancer for almost a year and suffered from chronic obstructive lung disease, according to Spero.

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"His entire family encircled him, and he died quietly. "They didn't think he was in pain," he explained.

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Betts performed lead guitar duties with Duane Allman in the original Allman Brothers Band, contributing to the group's distinct sound and the creation of a new genre, Southern rock.

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The band combined blues, country, R&B, and jazz with '60s rock to create a unique sound that impacted a number of big acts,

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including Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Phish, Jason Isbell, and Chris Stapleton, among others.

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