Update: Dickey Betts Brain Surgery Termed 'Success'

Dickey Betts

As was first reported Wednesday, the 74-year-old “Ramblin’ Man” singer-songwriter and founding Allman Brothers Band guitarist slipped and cracked his head earlier this week, causing bleeding in his brain, while playing with the family dog in his backyard on Little Sarasota Bay in Osprey.

Spero said earlier this week that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was listed “in critical but stable condition.”

Brain surgery, to relieve swelling, took place Friday morning, according to The Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Betts’ wife, Donna, was by her husband’s side on Friday with Dickey’s children.

“The family appreciates all of your thoughts and prayers during this very trying time,” Donna said Wednesday. “Dickey is a notorious fighter and he is displaying that now.”

Last month, Betts suffered a mild stroke at his Sarasota home and had to cancel upcoming tour dates. A week later, Spero announced Betts was responding “very well to treatment” and on Sept. 14 posted to Betts’ social media pages that, “Dickey Betts is raring to go. His recovery from his minor stroke is ahead of schedule and he has already started playing his guitar again.” Then came what was called a “freak accident” leading to Betts’ current hospitalization.

Tens of thousands of people from around the world have sent prayers and thoughts Betts’ way this week using Facebook and other social media sites. Rolling Stone, Billboard and People are among the numerous publications to run stories, with the news circulating internationally via the Associated Press.

In Sarasota, Betts has been surrounded by family and close friends, many who have played in his bands for years.