Exploring several avenues in the music industry, Dave Allen appeared in bands like The Elastic Purejoy, Low Pop Suicide, and Shriekback. But for most, they remember the musician for his time in the punk band Gang of Four. Although not part of the original lineup of Gang of Four, Allen helped the band on their first two albums, Entertainment! and Solid Gold. Eventually leaving the stage, the musician also founded World Domination Recordings. While leaving his mark on the music industry, sadly, Allen recently passed away at 69.
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Sharing the heartbreaking news about Allen passing away at just 69, drummer Hugo Burnham posted a collage of pictures of the musician’s time in the spotlight. He wrote, “It is with broken yet full hearts that we share the news that Dave Allen, our old music partner, friend, and brilliant musician, died on Saturday morning. He was at home with his family. Dave had endured the early-onset of mixed dementia for some years which has been a heartbreaking time for his wife Paddy, his children, and close friends.”
Gang of Four Made Sure To See Dave Allen Before He Passed
Passing away on April 5th, Burnham also noted how Allen suffered from early-onset dementia. Having watched his friend battle the disease, the drummer made time to go and see Allen before he passed. “[Gang of Four singer] Jon [King] and I [Hugo] went to see him and spent a lovely afternoon with him and the family. We talked and laughed for hours, sharing rich and vivid memories of good times together. Adventures, careers in music, raising families, our interwoven lives spanning half a century. We’ve been so very lucky to have had the Ace of Bass in our lives.”
While taking a moment to honor Allen, Gang of Four also prepared for their Long Goodbye farewell tour, which was expected to kick off on April 18th in Westport, Connecticut. Even the band mentioned how much Allen would have loved to be on stage with them one last time. “We know that Dave would have wanted nothing more than to step onstage with us again in Portland on our farewell US tour. But it’s now a bridge too far. Goodbye, Old Friend.”
Allen’s passing marked the second death for Gang of Four in recent years. Guitarist Andy Gill also passed away just a few years ago in 2020. He was 64 at the time.
(Photo by Brian Rasic/Getty Images)
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