Guitarist Dickey Betts performs with the Allman Brothers Band in New Haven, Conn. on Sept. 15, 1975. Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns. If it weren’t for Dickey Betts, there might be no Chris Stapleton, Black Crowes, ZZ Top or even Lynyrd Skynyrd as we know them. The singer and guitarist,…

Dusty Hill of ZZ Top performs during the Gang of Outlaws Tour at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on June 20, 2012. Courtesy Amiee Stubbs/NS2. Unfortunately, only a week after I wrote a tribute to Biz Markie, I have to write another tribute, this time for ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill.…

Southern rock isn’t what it used to be. Since its heyday in the ’70s with the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers and ZZ Top, the genre has almost been absorbed by country. You Hear Georgia Blackberry Smoke Thirty Tigers, May 28 8/10 Fortunately, there are still bands…