‘Play on Brother Dickey.’ Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts dies at age 80.

Allman Brothers Band founding member, singer, songwriter and guitarist Dickey Betts died Thursday morning at the age of 80, the band confirmed Thursday.

Betts’ manager, David Spero, told Rolling Stone magazine Thursday the musician died from cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Betts was the writer and singer on the Allmans Brothers Band’s hit single “Ramblin’ Man.”

He was inducted with the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and also won a best rock performance Grammy Award with the band for “Jessica” in 1996.

He was ranked No. 58 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time list in 2003, and No. 61 on the list published in 2011.

The Allman Brothers Band posted a statement on its website Thursday.

“With deep sadness the Allman Brothers Band learned today that founding member Dickey Betts has passed away peacefully in his home in Sarasota, Florida, following a period of declining health,” the band said in a statement. “He was passionate in life, be it music, songwriting, fishing, hunting, boating, golf, karate or boxing. Dickey was all in on and excelled at anything that caught his attention.

“Play on Brother Dickey, you will be forever remembered and deeply missed.”

In 1969, music promoter Phil Walden -- who had just created Capricorn Records with his brothers -- traveled to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to recruit a gifted young guitarist named Duane Allman for his new label. Allman went to his native Florida and put together a band, consisting of his brother Gregg as a vocalist and keyboardist; guitarist Dickey Betts; bassist Berry Oakley; and drummers Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson, according to Macon Telegraph archives.

The band is a rich part of Macon’s Music history. The city is home to The Big House Museum, which is dedicated to the Allman Brothers.