Dave Allen, the bassist for British post-punk band Gang of 4, has died aged 69.
The information was shared by his former bandmates, Jon King and Hugo Burnham, who stated that he died on Saturday 5 April.
“It’s with damaged but full hearts that we share the information that Dave Allen, our previous music accomplice, buddy, and sensible musician, died on Saturday morning,” the assertion stated. “He was at house along with his household.”
Allen’s former bandmates stated he had been affected by early-onset blended dementia, a situation the place an individual has a couple of kind of dementia. The ordeal had been “heartbreaking” for his spouse Paddy, his kids and shut mates, Burnham stated.
“Our love and ideas are with them. Jon and I went to see him and spent a stunning afternoon with him and the household. We talked and laughed for hours, sharing wealthy and vivid recollections of fine instances collectively.
“Adventures, careers in music, elevating households, our interwoven lives spanning half a century. We’ve been so very fortunate to have had the Ace of Bass in our lives.”
The assertion concluded: “We all know that Dave would have wished nothing greater than to step onstage with us once more in Portland on our farewell US tour. Nevertheless it’s now a bridge too far. Goodbye, previous buddy.”
Allen’s distinctive taking part in fashion turned a defining drive in Gang of 4. He joined guitarist Andy Gill, King and Burnham in 1976, changing bassist Dave Wolfson who performed only a handful of reveals.
Their 1979 debut Leisure! was successful amongst critics whereas solely reaching modest industrial success, and is thought to be a significant affect on bands resembling Nirvana and REM.
Allen additionally carried out on the band’s second album, Strong Gold, and two EPs. He left Gang of 4 in 1981, occurring to type the band Shriekback with Barry Andrews.
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He and his former bandmates had been reunited in 2005, after they launched into a tour and launched an album of re-recorded unique songs, Return the Present.
“It is our dynamic that units us other than all of the pretenders,” Allen informed The Unbiased in an interview with the band that 12 months. “It is impressed by Hugo and I pummelling away on drums and bass, and Andy sending out shards of guitar, while Jon’s firing out thought-provoking lyrics.
“It additionally solutions the query of why we’re again, as a result of nobody has proved to me that they are able to doing what we did. It sounds boastful, however once we play dwell it nonetheless blows minds as a result of the songs are nonetheless potent.”
Guitarist Andy Gill died in 2020, aged 64.
Allen is survived by his spouse and kids.
