Dickey Betts on The Big Interview with Dan Rather

[stevechilders]

Next Tuesday night on AXS TV

http://www.axs.tv/programs/the-big-interview/

 

[Bob Womack]

Thanks! I
I've got it DVR'd. I'm glad he and Gregg resolved things before it became impossible.

Bob

 

[stevechilders]

Thanks! I
I've got it DVR'd. I'm glad he and Gregg resolved things before it became impossible.

Bob

Yes, I was happy to hear that as well... those two covered a lot of ground together.

Been real pleased watching their sons lately too... the Allman Betts Band

 

[cincyguitar]

Aw Darn...I dont think I get that channel....Maybe its on u tube....I will look..:dude:

 

[Tom Wittrock]

I enjoyed it.

 

[Doc Sausage]

I’ve watched many of these Rather interviews. I sometimes cringe at the dumb questions he asks as if it were some kind of job interview. “What’s the worst mistake you’ve made in your life and what did you learn?” Please...While he did have praise for Betts, I thought he flew right past how incredibly Dickey stepped it up after Duane’s passing, especially on Brothers and Sisters. Those were BIG shoes to fill.

I thought Dickey’s explanation of the rift was interesting. We on the outside were told it was his drinking and sloppy play that lead to the split. He made a quick mention of the band wanting to use the band’s brand to market something. Among other things. I always thought it was ‘rather’ ironic that Gregg would chastise Dickey’s partying ways. That was the pot calling the kettle black! They (the original line up) still stand as my all time fav group in spite of any differences.

 

[Bob Womack]

The word was that Dickey had become domineering and demanding and was trying to lead the band. Gregg has a very laid back style, very different from Duane. From what I can tell he liked a limited democracy but was very aware that the band's name was "The Allman Brothers" and had no intention of allowing leadership to leave the "family." Butch seemed to have stepped into moderatorship of the the practical aspects of the band. When you watch the extras from Live at the Beacon the dynamics become apparent. From what I understand they weren't going to be able to keep a second guitarist because Dickey demanded too much "deference and preference." They'd already lost Warren over this and I think they were headed towards losing Derek.

From what I can tell, it was like so many situations I've lived through: Everyone is sitting around shooting the bull and it suddenly comes out that everyone is REALLY uncomfortable with something but they had been keeping their mouths shut. But when the elephant in the room came out, action was needed.

I saw them on their 1999 "Never Trust a Band Under Thirty" tour and Dickey really just wasn't cutting it in a very, very big way. I was terribly disappointed by his performance. Everyone else was dried out and working and he was just not cutting it. Once I found out that he was also being domineering it all made sense.

I wish him the best. I have loved his guitar work over many years.

Bob

 

[Doc Sausage]

The word was that Dickey had become domineering and demanding and was trying to lead the band. Gregg has a very laid back style, very different from Duane. From what I can tell he liked a limited democracy but was very aware that the band's name was "The Allman Brothers" and had no intention of allowing leadership to leave the "family." Butch seemed to have stepped into moderatorship of the the practical aspects of the band. When you watch the extras from Live at the Beacon the dynamics become apparent. From what I understand they weren't going to be able to keep a second guitarist because Dickey demanded too much "deference and preference." They'd already lost Warren over this and I think they were headed towards losing Derek.

From what I can tell, it was like so many situations I've lived through: Everyone is sitting around shooting the bull and it suddenly comes out that everyone is REALLY uncomfortable with something but they had been keeping their mouths shut. But when the elephant in the room came out, action was needed.

I saw them on their 1999 "Never Trust a Band Under Thirty" tour and Dickey really just wasn't cutting it in a very, very big way. I was terribly disappointed by his performance. Everyone else was dried out and working and he was just not cutting it. Once I found out that he was also being domineering it all made sense.

I wish him the best. I have loved his guitar work over many years.

Bob

Yeah, it’s probably a minor miracle any incarnation of the band remained after both Barry and Duane’s passing. Throw in new faces, years of ups and downs, Gregg’s failing health and I suppose Dickey must’ve felt like he was losing what control he had as a founding member. It’s not hard to imagine Derek having an almost birthright to be a ‘brother’ but even that may have had an effect on Dickey.

Not that Dickey, Warren, Derek and Jaimoe couldn’t put together something akin to what Skynyd became, I for one hope that never happens. The Allman Brothers themselves are gone and so is that band, imo. Dickey seemed gracious enough to not dredge up too much crap in everyone’s absence.