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Tribute to Dave Allen: Founding Member of Gang of Four Passes Away at 69

Dave Allen, the original bass guitarist of the influential English post-punk band Gang of Four, has passed away at the age of 69. His death occurred on Saturday, April 5, a loss felt deeply by fans and peers alike.

Hugo Burnham, the band’s first drummer, confirmed the news of Allen’s passing in a statement shared on social media on Sunday, April 6. In his heartfelt message, Burnham expressed, “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 with his family.”

Allen had been battling early onset mixed dementia for several years, a challenge that took an emotional toll on his wife Paddy, their children, and close friends, according to Burnham. “Our love and thoughts are with them,” he added.

Gang of Four was established in Leeds during the mid-1970s, emerging from the punk rock scene with a distinct sound characterized by sharp guitar riffs and lyrics that often addressed political themes. The original lineup featured Allen, Burnham, vocalist Jon King, and guitarist Andy Gill, who collectively redefined rock music’s boundaries during their time.

Their debut album, Entertainment!, released in 1979, is celebrated as a seminal work in the genre, featuring iconic tracks like “Damaged Goods,” “Not Great Men,” and “At Home He’s a Tourist.” In 2023, Rolling Stone recognized Entertainment! as one of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

After departing Gang of Four in 1982, Allen went on to co-found the band Shriekback together with Barry Andrews, formerly of XTC. He later transitioned into the tech industry, taking on roles such as director of Consumer Digital Audio Services at Intel and working in artist relations at Apple Music, as reported by Stereogum.

In 2004, Gang of Four made a significant comeback with a reunion tour featuring the original lineup. However, both Allen and Burnham departed once more, with King following suit in 2011, leaving Andy Gill to continue performing under the Gang of Four name until his passing in 2020 at age 64. The band has been highly regarded for its lasting influence on many contemporary musicians, inspiring acts such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain, and bands like Franz Ferdinand and The Futureheads.

In 2021, King and Burnham reformed Gang of Four and announced a final North American tour, titled ‘The Long Goodbye’, set to begin in the spring of 2023. Their third album, Songs of the Free, was recently reissued by Matador Records.

Reflecting on their time together, Burnham shared that he and King visited Allen and his family not long before his passing, where they reminisced about their long history together in music and life. “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,” he recalled. “We’ve been so lucky to have had the ace of bass in our lives.”

Burnham concluded his tribute with a poignant sentiment, expressing that Allen would have relished the opportunity to perform again during their farewell tour. “But now it’s a bridge too far,” he remarked, adding, “Goodbye old friend.”

Source
people.com