Dickey Betts, a founding member of influential southern rock band The Allman Brothers Band, is in critical condition after falling at his home in Little Sarasota Bay, Fla. The Jacksonville Florida Times-Union reports that Betts has been sedated at an undisclosed hospital.
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Betts slipped and fell in his backyard on Sept. 17 while playing with the family dog. The fall caused bleeding in the brain. Betts' manager, David Spero, said the southern rock artist is "in critical but stable condition." On Friday, Betts is scheduled to undergo brain surgery to reduce swelling.
Betts' injury follows another recent health scare. In late August, Betts announced that he was postponing some tour dates after suffering a mild stroke. The "Ramblin' Man" singer-songwriter seemed to be on the road to recovery following the stroke. On Sept. 14, an update on Betts' Facebook page stated that the guitar legend was "raring to go," adding "His recovery from his minor stroke is ahead of schedule." Spero says Betts' fall was unrelated to the stroke.
Upcoming shows are indefinitely postponed while Betts focuses on regaining his health.
The Allman Brothers Band formed in Jacksonville, Fla. in 1969 by brothers Duane and Gregg Allman along with Betts, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny Johanson. The band released their self-titled debut album in 1969, but it wasn't until 1971's live album At Fillmore East that the group gained widespread popularity. The band went on to release several groundbreaking albums, such as 1972's Eat a Peach, inspiring countless musicians from the south and beyond.
