In September, news broke that founding Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts had been admitted to the hospital after suffering a freak head injury at his Florida home. According to the original report, Betts was playing with his dog when he slipped and cracked his head, causing bleeding in his brain and necessitating emergency brain surgery to save the guitarist’s life. This was not the first medical close call Dickey Betts had to fight through in recent months. A few weeks prior to his head injury, Betts was forced to postpone three August tour dates due to health concerns following a mild stroke.
Following months of recovery, Betts recently told his local newspaper – the Sarasota Herald-Tribune – that he will celebrate his 75th birthday on December 12th, “surrounded by loved ones” at his Florida home.
Betts’ son Duane (Betts) added, “My dad has always been a hero to me. Whether taking me on camping trips and teaching me about nature or coaching my Little League team. He has always helped guide me. He’s not too shabby a guitar teacher either. Happy 75th, Dad, and many more to come. I am so grateful your recovery is going smoothly and looking forward to the Dan Rather interview.”
In the upcoming weeks, Betts will be seen on the hit AXS TV show The Big Interview With Dan Rather, set to air on December 18th at 9 p.m.
Betts’ longtime manager David Spero noted, “Over the many years that Dickey and I have worked together, he has become less of a client, and more of a very dear, and treasured friend. It’s only proper that, just after his 75th birthday, Dan Rather is giving him the ‘star’ treatment that he richly deserves, and desperately hides from.”
To learn more about Dickey Betts’ upcoming television interview head here.
For updates on Dickey Betts’ touring schedule, you can head to his website.