Co-founding Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts celebrated his 80th birthday on Tuesday by going to see his songs performed live. It wasn’t just any ordinary tribute band, however, but The Allman Betts Family Revival featuring his son, Duane Betts playing alongside Devon Allman, son of Dickey’s late bandmate Gregg Allman.
The show took place at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Dickey’s longtime home of Sarasota, FL, where Duane was born and raised. For the 2023 edition of the tour, Duane and Devon have split up the show so that one half is dedicated to each of their respective fathers. The first set of the evening saw house band the Allman Betts Band and a string of special guests including Jimmy Hall and Tal Wilkenfield celebrate Gregg’s enduring compositions like “Melissa”, “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More”, “I’m No Angel”, and more.
After starting the second set with Dickey’s latter-era ABB gem “Seven Turns”, Dickey came out for the crowd to sing him “Happy Birthday”. For his present, the guitar hero got to watch the next generation of musicians celebrate his life’s work, with covers of “Pony Boy”, “Jessica”, and “Ramblin’ Man” (he also got a Les Paul guitar cake backstage). He even got to see his son sing one of his originals with the Allman Betts Band, the group’s signature “Magnolia Road”, before the show ended with an all-hands-on-deck take on “Midnight Rider”.
Related: The Allman Betts Family Revival Celebrates Lasting Legacies In Boston [Photos/Videos]
Dickey Betts helped found the Allman Brothers Band in 1969 along with Gregg, Duane Allman, Berry Oakley, Jaimoe, and Butch Trucks, and is credited with the idea of having Duane bring in his younger brother to sing. Following Duane Allman’s fatal motorcycle crash in 1971, Betts became the de facto leader of the group. He remained at the helm through various breakups and reunions throughout the 20th century, but in 2000 made an acrimonious exit from the band. Both sides disagree on whether he was fired or quit, but Betts never again performed with the Allman Brothers Band all the way through their final shows in 2014. Around that same time, Betts retired from touring citing health issues, and now considers himself retired in Sarasota. Dickey and Jaimoe remain the only surviving original members of the Allman Brothers Band.
Check out some videos from The Allman Betts Family Revival in Sarasota, as well as some backstage photos of Dickey Betts’ birthday celebration. The tour continues tonight, December 14th, in Spartanburg, SC. For tickets and a full list of tour dates head here.
Allman Betts Family Revival – “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More” – 12/12/23
[Video: Robbie Massengill]
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Setlist: The Allman Betts Family Revival | Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall | Sarasota, FL | 12/12/23
Set One: Sailin’ ‘Cross the Devil’s Sea, Statesboro Blues (Blind Willie McTell) (with Jimmy Hall), No One to Run With, I’m No Angel (with Ally Venable), Melissa, Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More (with Tal Wilkenfeld), Blue Sky, Dreams
Set Two: Seven Turns, Happy Birthday to Dickey Betts, Pony Boy, Come and Go Blues, Jessica, Soulshine, One Way Out (Willie Dixon), Ramblin’ Man, Whipping Post (with Jimmy Hall and Tal Wilkenfeld)
Encore: Magnolia Road, Midnight Rider (with everyone)
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