Dickey Betts Again Discusses Reuniting With Gregg Allman

Former The Allman Brothers Band members Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts each recently expressed a willingness to put past differences aside and perhaps share the stage together once again. Betts and Allman last shared the stage together in 2000 prior to Betts being removed from The Allman Brothers Band. In a new interview with the Wall Street Journal, Betts expounded on his relationship with Gregg and the possibility of making music together again. IMAGE In his interview with the WSJ, Betts clarifies he’s not retired from performing and follows up on comments he made in response to Gregg’s statement on being open to playing together.

How did you hear about Gregg saying he would like to play with you?

My son Duane called me and so did David Spero, my manager. Duane is really excited that this could happen. I told him it is something to consider.

How did you feel about Gregg’s comments?

I’ve never had a problem with Gregg. I think he kind of got duped into a situation. You know, we had to recreate the sound of the band after Duane [Allman] and Berry [Oakley] got killed. It was Gregg and I that had to be the writers. Nothing against the other guys in the band, but that was our role. I tried to embellish his singing with my guitar playing. You know, Gregg and I were so close in the Brothers. I put up with all his warts and he put up with all mine.

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Are you open to the idea of playing with Gregg and the Allman Brothers band again?

Well, there are no Allman Brothers anymore and I’m not sure if or when I want to play again. But if I play, I would have no problem getting on stage with Gregg again.

In July in response to a question about his band playing Betts’ song “Southbound” Gregg told the WSJ, “I love my band and I’m pretty set for guitar players, but I’d love to see Betts. We had our ups and down and all our demons. We had our problems, our ins and outs and our public embarrassments on both sides. But that’s all way behind us now. There’s nothing at all wrong with forgive and forget.”

Betts originally responded to Allman last week, issuing a statement to Sarasota’s Herald-Tribune which said, “I have no problem with Gregg, never have. Sure, it would be fun to play with him again. We’ll see where it goes.”