He’s near the top for me in terms of his musical skills. A co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band, he penned many of their most well-known, enduring songs–“Blue Sky,” “Ramblin’ Man,” “Jessica,” and my personal favorite, “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” and more.

Dickey was a pistol, that’s for sure, a volatile, seemingly possessed man, for much of his career. I’m blessed to have seen him and the ABB in concert. Truly a force of nature on his guitar, on his long, long, long guitar solos. The blues, jazz, and country and western styles all influenced him. You can hear Albert King, B.B. King, Miles Davis, and Hank Williams, Sr. in him, plus many more.

Dickey, I don’t know where you were spiritually, but in terms of one using the gifts that God gave him to their fullest potential, I salute you with everything in me.