"In Memory of Dickey Betts" brought together fans from across the country to celebrate the late Allman Brothers Band guitarist who died last year — and to pay tribute to the city that put the group on the map.

The Allman Brothers Band moved to Macon from Jacksonville, Fla., in 1969 and furthered the town's reputation as the heart of Georgia and a hub for music icons such as Little Richard and Otis Redding. Today, Georgia remains the honorary home of the band's six original members: Gregg and Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks and Jaimoe Johanson.

Johanson is the only remaining living member of that lineup.

A few weeks before the show, Duane Betts, son of Dickey Betts, told GPB Macon was the natural choice for this exclusive gathering.

On Friday, Feb. 28, the day of the big event, the streets perked along in their usual way and with Mercer University students on spring break, foot traffic near the college was minimal.

Down the hill, the historic copper dome of the Macon City Auditorium sported the same shade of green as New York Harbor's Statue of Liberty, a badge of honor for the venue that has served this Middle Georgia city since 1925.

The Doric columns in front of the Macon City Auditorium are captured just before sundown on Feb. 28, 2025.

The Doric columns in front of the Macon City Auditorium are captured just before sundown on Feb. 28, 2025.

Credit: Kristi York Wooten / GPB News

The late guitarist Dickey Betts (on screen) was honored by his son, Duane (on stage, fourth from left), Devon Allman (son of Gregg, second from left), and a long list of musicians associated with the Allman Brothers Band, on Feb. 28, 2025, in Macon, Ga.

The late guitarist Dickey Betts (on screen) was honored by his son, Duane (on stage, fourth from left), Devon Allman (son of Gregg, second from left), and a long list of musicians associated with the Allman Brothers Band.

Credit: Kristi York Wooten / GPB News

The capacity crowd at Macon City Auditorium enjoys the show under a classical dome inspired by Roman and Greek architecture.

A capacity crowd at Macon City Auditorium enjoys the show under the venue's classical dome inspired by Roman and Greek architecture.

Credit: Kristi York Wooten / GPB News

The setlist for the concert included some of the Allman Brothers Band's best-loved hits as well as late guitarist Dickey Betts' favorites.

The setlist for the concert included some of the Allman Brothers Band's best-loved hits as well as late guitarist Dickey Betts' favorites.

Credit: Macon City Auditorium

The booth where the Allman brothers convened is now a hallowed space within Grant's Lounge on Poplar Street in downtown Macon..

The booth where the Allman brothers convened is now a hallowed space within Grant's Lounge on Poplar Street in downtown Macon, Ga.

Credit: Kristi York Wooten / GPB News

A legendary hangout for local and touring musicians, Grant's Lounge features a Wall of Fame that incudes decades of stars.

A legendary hangout for local and touring musicians, Grant's Lounge features a Wall of Fame that incudes decades of stars.

Credit: Kristi York Wooten / GPB News

A mural featuring the Allman Brothers Band along with H&H Restaurant founders Mama Louise Hudson and Mama Inez Hill, is shown in the morning sun on March 1, 2025.

A mural featuring the Allman Brothers Band along with H&H Restaurant founders Mama Louise Hudson and Mama Inez Hill is seen in the morning sun on March 1, 2025.

Credit: Kristi York Wooten / GPB News

A crowd forms just after the Macon soul food restaurant, H&H, opens its doors the morning after the concert tribute to Dickey Betts .

A crowd forms March 1 just after Macon soul food restaurant H&H opens its doors the morning after a concert tribute to Dickey Betts.

Credit: Kristi York Wooten / GPB News

Fans are show in the front yard of "The Big House" at the corner of Vineville Avenue and Highway 41 in Macon, Ga., on March 1, 2025. The dwelling housed the Allman Brothers Band in their early days and now serves as a museum of the band's career.

Fans are show in the front yard of "The Big House" at the corner of Vineville Avenue and Highway 41 in Macon, Ga., on March 1, 2025. The dwelling housed the Allman Brothers Band in their early days and now serves as a museum of the band's career.

Credit: Kristi York Wooten / GPB News

A bench with the Allman Brothers Band logo sits in the front yard of The Big House in Macon, Ga.

A bench with the Allman Brothers Band logo sits in the front yard of The Big House in Macon, Ga.

Credit: Kristi York Wooten / GPB News

As the sun set, lines began to snake down the block, rounding the corners of the Doric columns of the auditorium, where former members of the Allman Brothers Band and generations of musicians prepared to take the stage.

The full house rose to its feet when the younger Betts walked out and laid into the instrumental "Hot 'Lanta," made famous on the ABB's legendary At Fillmore East live album from 1971.

Across two sets that spanned more than three hours, Betts led a cast of musicians including Devon Allman, keys legend Chuck Leavell — who served as a longtime member of the Allman Brothers Band — as well as Warren Haynes, who first joined the group in 1989 as a guitarist and singer (he later left to form Gov't Mule), Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, Charlie Starr, Oteil Burbridge, Lamar Williams, Jr., Jimmy Hall and others.

The concert focused on songs written by the elder Betts, ranging from an easy "Blue Sky" and a raucous "Pony Boy" sung by Tedeschi to Leavell's soulful take on "Rain" and Haynes' groovy lead on "Soulshine."

A massive singalong ended the shindig with the 1973 smash "Ramblin' Man," a tune that mentions Georgia and blended rock, blues and country into the band's inimitable sound.

"We love you, Macon! We love you, Dad." Duane Betts said. "This one's for you. Thank you all."

After the show, locals and travelers headed to Grant's Lounge for an afterparty, and many spent Saturday morning noshing at the famous soul food restaurant, H&H and perusing The Big House, a museum dedicated to the band's career and its relationship to Macon.

Although the gig at Macon City Auditorium was one-of-a-kind, it's never the end of the line for the Allman Brothers Band's music: some members will perform as The Brothers at Madison Square Garden in New York on April 15 and 16.

The road goes on forever, indeed.

 

Tags: Georgia  Allman Brothers  Macon