Allman Brothers' Dicky Betts Has Emergency Brain Surgery

Manager says it was a success and thanks fans
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 21, 2018 1:01 PM CDT
Brain Surgery on Allman Bros' Dicky Betts a 'Success'
In this June 3, 2017, file photo, Dickey Betts exits the funeral of Gregg Allman at Snow's Memorial Chapel in Macon, Ga.   (Jason Vorhees/The Macon Telegraph via AP, File)

Dicky Betts had been on the mend from a "minor stroke" he suffered in August, and just one week ago the Allman Brothers Band guitarist was said to be "raring to go" in preparations for upcoming November shows, per a message his manager posted on Facebook. But a "freak accident" this week has set back the 74-year-old Betts once again, and this one may have been even more serious, NBC News reports. Per a release, Betts had been playing with his dog Monday at his Florida home when he fell and hit his head, causing bleeding from his brain.

Betts has since been sedated at an undisclosed hospital since and was said to be in "critical but stable condition" as of Wednesday afternoon, according to his longtime manager, David Spero. The performer underwent surgery Friday morning to tamp down the brain swelling, and it appeared to have gone well, reports the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. "Hey Dickey fans, your thoughts and prayers helped make this surgery a success. More details later!" Spero said. "The family appreciates all of your thoughts and prayers during this very trying time," Betts' wife, Donna, added in the statement. "Dickey is a notorious fighter and he is displaying that now." (More freak accident stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X