
Original Gang Of Four Bassist Dave Allen Dead At 69
Dave Allen, who played bass guitar on Gang Of Four’s first two albums, has passed away at the age of 69.
Gang Of Four posted the following in regards to his death:
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. Our love and thoughts are with them. Jon 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.
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.
Dave Allen also formed the band Shriekback when he left Gang Of Four in 1981.