Dave Allen, Bassist for Gang of Four and Shriekback, Passes Away at 69
Dave Allen, Influential Bassist of Gang of Four, Passes Away at 69
In a poignant moment for the music world, Dave Allen, the pivotal bassist of the iconic post-punk band Gang of Four and co-founder of Shriekback, has died at the age of 69. His passing was announced by former bandmate Hugh Burnham on social media, revealing that Allen had been grappling with the early onset of mixed dementia for several years. He died peacefully at his home in Portland, Oregon.
“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,” Burnham wrote. He shared that he and lead vocalist Jon King spent a heartfelt afternoon with Allen and his family shortly before his passing, reminiscing about their half-century of intertwined lives through music. “We talked and laughed for hours, sharing rich and vivid memories of good times together. We’ve been so very lucky to have had the Ace of Bass in our lives.”
Allen joined Gang of Four early in its career, stepping in as bassist after just a few gigs with original member Dave Wolfson. He quickly became integral to the band’s groundbreaking sound, contributing to seminal albums such as Entertainment! (1979) and Solid Gold (1981). These records encapsulated the ideological fervor of the late ’70s and early ’80s and have since been honored, with Entertainment! earning a spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
After parting ways with Gang of Four following the release of the EP Another Day/Another Dollar in 1982, Allen co-founded Shriekback alongside former XTC member Barry Andrews. Over the next seven years, the band released six albums and contributed to the soundtracks of influential films and TV shows, bringing their unique blend of rock, funk, and art-pop to a wider audience.
In later years, Allen shifted gears, stepping into the role of Director of Artist & Music Industry Advocacy for Beats Music (now part of Apple Music), continuing to influence the industry behind the scenes.
The legacy of Gang of Four continued to evolve after the heartbreaking loss of guitarist Andy Gill to COVID-19 in February 2020. The band has since toured with varying lineups, and they recently announced their farewell tour, dubbed "The Long Goodbye," set to launch on April 20 in Boston.
Gail Greenwood, bassist for L7 and Belly, recently joined Gang of Four for their farewell tour. She expressed her admiration for Allen’s work, stating on social media, “Dave was the OG master of some of the most iconic bass lines in music history. Learning his parts by listening intensely to every note and nuance he created has given me even more of an appreciation for his incredible talent.”
In a touching farewell, Burnham encapsulated the sentiment felt by many in the music community: “We know that Dave would have wanted nothing more than to step onstage with us again in Portland on our farewell U.S. tour. But it’s now a bridge too far. Goodbye, Old Friend.”
Dave Allen’s impact on music—his innovative basslines, compelling stage presence, and the friendships he forged—will continue to reverberate throughout countless genres as artists honor his memory and contributions to the world of music.
