Responce from Mr. Richard Betts:
Dear friends:
Last Thursday I received a fax notifying me that I would not be
performing this summer with ABB. It said " you have not been performing well
and our shows have been repeatly disappointing to both us and our fans as a
result." The implication was that I was suffering from some sort of health or
drug problem. THIS IS TOTALLY, ABSOLUTELY, UNFOUNDED!..This I swear to you!
As soon as I recieved this fax, I called Gregg to find out what was going on.
His reponse was "if you don't know, I can't tell you-listen to the fucking
tapes." After nine days, I have still not received as much as a phone call
from Butch, Gregg or Jaimoe. I have been in a state of shock and bewilderment
and have been trying to make some sense out of all of this. I sat down and
listened to the tapes from the Beacon and the last tour and was impressed
with the quality of the music. I thought the band sounded great and I was
particularly proud of my guitar work. There was never any discussion or
indication that there was any problem in the band.
Therefore, I am as hurt and shocked as all of you! I certainly don't have
any answers, but I feel an obligation to share with all of you what I know
about this. It is a very painful and confusing time and I can only pray for
some healing and understanding.
Peace and Love,
Dickey Betts
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Dickey Betts, Allman Brothers Band Split
Founding guitarist Dickey Betts will not be touring with the Allmans this
summer
By RICHARD SKANSE/RollingStone.com
Dickey Betts, the guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band who penned the
group's signature songs "Ramblin' Man" and "Blue Sky," is out of the
brotherhood. But whether or not his departure is permanent or only a summer
vacation remains to be seen.
A statement released by the Allman Brothers Band confirmed that Betts will
not be with the band on its summer tour, which kicks off on June 16 in
Virginia Beach, Va., but it did not say whether he had left the band for good
or had been fired. "Sadly, there are creative differences," read the
statement. "However, the band hopes that their good friend and brother will
be back on the road with them in the fall."
In the meantime, Betts' guitar playing shoes will be filled by Atlanta-based
guitarist Jimmy Herring, a veteran of gigs with Phil Lesh, Col. Bruce Hampton
and the Aquarium Rescue Unit, Gov't Mule and Derek Trucks. Herring will tour
with the Allmans through the completion of their summer tour on Sept. 4 in
Long Beach, Calif. |
