Another profound loss has struck the music world.

Dave Allen, a member of the influential 70s punk band Gang of Four, has unexpectedly passed away.

The news left his band mates, fans, and the music industry mourning.

Dave Allen's death came as a shock to many, as Gang of Four was set to embark on a United States tour.

Allen, who became a pivotal figure in the post-punk scene, passed away at 69 years old.

His battle with early-onset dementia came to an end on a quiet Saturday morning.

He was surrounded by his loved ones, including his wife, Paddy, his children, and close friends.

Dave Allen was slated to join the band during their US tour this month. Image Credit: X/Gang of Four

In a touching tribute to the late Gang of Four bassist, former band mates Hugo Burnham and Jon King shared their grief and fond memories of Allen.

'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,' they wrote in a social media post.

'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.' their tribute concluded.

Dave Allen formed Gang of Four in 1976 in Leeds.

Gang of Four was composed of Jon King on vocals, Hugo Burnham on the drums, Andy Gill on the guitars, and Allen on bass.

The band quickly rose to fame for their blend of punk-rock, funk, and dub, underscored with social commentary.

Their sound and messaging made them one of the top bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s post-punk movement.

Watch Gang of Four's live performance of 'To Hell With Poverty' here:

Source: Gang of Four/YouTube​

Allen parted ways with Gang of Four in 1981 yet continued to make waves in the music industry.

Allen formed another band, Shriekback, shortly after.

In 2004, Allen rejoined Gang of Four and played several shows until 2008.

Rolling Stone editor David Fricke once described them as 'probably the best politically motivated band in rock & roll'.

Gang of Four fans took to social media to express their condolences and shared how Allen's music impacted their lives.

'The bass lines he wrote, both as a young man and later in life, were and are didactic for bassists of my generation and ever onward,' one fan recounted.

'Truly a hero. Very sorry for your loss.'

'One of my heroes. I learned how to play bass better, to groove and syncopate, to put melodic flourishes in the right places from him,' another shared as Allen's unique style influenced their own musical journey.

'Such sad news, Dave really was an amazing bass player. Loads of love to you all,' a third fan wrote.

Dave Allen's passing is compounded by the memory of guitarist Andy Gill, who passed away in 2020.

As the band and its fans grapple with this new grief, they find solace in the music and memories that Allen left behind.

Key Takeaways

• Gang of Four bassist and musician Dave Allen has passed away at 69 years old after battling early-onset dementia.
• His death came weeks before the group was scheduled to embark on a US tour.
• Bandmates and fans paid tribute to Dave Allen, shared fond memories and expressed their heartbreak over his passing.
• Gang of Four was an influential post-punk band known for combining punk-rock with funk and dub and was once called the 'best politically motivated band' in rock history.

Let us celebrate the life of a man who, through his art, challenged us to think, feel, and dance.

May he rest in peace.

 

[Veggiepatch]

One of the greatest and most underrated bands to come out of the post punk era. With their sparse sound and minimalist vocals, David Allen was a pioneer and influential bassist with a unique and innovative style.

With amazing songs such as "Damaged Goods", "Paralysed", "Anthrax" and "Not Great Men", Gang Of Four contributed to rise of quality music after the dross dished up in the Disco Era.

I was lucky enough to own their first three albums.

Rest In Peace David. Your wonderful "bassmanship" will be sorely missed by the connoisseurs of fine music.

 

[HelenB55]

I have never heard of him or his Band, as I wasn’t into Punk music.
But sounds like he & his Band influenced a lot of people & artists.
RIP Dave.

 

[Barbara V]

No I've never heard of him

 

[Geoff01]

Who?

 

[Veggiepatch]

Who?

That's my reaction to some nobodies called Perry Como and Elvis Presley....

 

[PattiB]

While I’m unfamiliar with this band, I find it sad when people pass away without reaching old age. Dementia is a terrible disease because you’ve usually lost the person before they actually die.

 

[novezar]

That's my reaction to some nobodies called Perry Como and Elvis Presley....

Hi veggie,
I'm very sure that you know that Perry Como was a fan favourite for those born from about 1912/15-30 era.
We used to watch his show about '58 onwards on the old black & white box.
I bet you may well have as well. If not yourself, your mum & dad for sure.
You must admit he had "Tranquil" vocal chords where you could understand every word he sung.
What about his rendition of "Catch A Falling Star".
A "Lovely" & easy song & easy on the ear drums, very soothing.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Hi veggie,
I'm very sure that you know that Perry Como was a fan favourite for those born from about 1912/15-30 era.
We used to watch his show about '58 onwards on the old black & white box.
I bet you may well have as well. If not yourself, your mum & dad for sure.
You must admit he had "Tranquil" vocal chords where you could understand every word he sung.
What about his rendition of "Catch A Falling Star".
A "Lovely" & easy song & easy on the ear drums, very soothing.

Unfortunately, I consider his music SO soothing that it would be a surefire cure for insomnia....

 

[Tommy Jones]

Let’s see. I worked in a record store from 1974 to 1981 and I’ve Never heard of him or his band. My brother worked with me and he never heard of them either.
He couldn’t have been very well known. I see why - they barely charted anywhere.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Let’s see. I worked in a record store from 1974 to 1981 and I’ve Never heard of him or his band. My brother worked with me and he never heard of them either.
He couldn’t have been very well known. I see why - they barely charted anywhere.

Indie and alternative music genres are rarely heard outside the live music scene. Same for Rage and Double J/Triple J back in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Hence the music buying public are spoonfed Top 40 fodder and bargain bin artists such as the Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, the Four Seasons, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, etc., 20 years after they were relevant.

Here is another observation. It is sad that many people have their musical, TV show and movie tastes stalled in their adolescent and young adult years, whereas they will purchase the latest 4G televisions and gadget ridden vehicles. They state that things back in the 1960s was way superior to the modern day....well why aren't they still watching their black and white Astor televisions and driving a 1964 EH Holden?

 

[Kevin. A.]

RIP, another entertainer gone and I believe we are richer to have known and been entertained by their unique talents and we are now poorer with their loss.

 

[Kevin. A.]

Indie and alternative music genres are rarely heard outside the live music scene. Same for Rage and Double J/Triple J back in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Hence the music buying public are spoonfed Top 40 fodder and bargain bin artists such as the Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, the Four Seasons, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, etc., 20 years after they were relevant.

Here is another observation. It is sad that many people have their musical, TV show and movie tastes stalled in their adolescent and young adult years, whereas they will purchase the latest 4G televisions and gadget ridden vehicles. They state that things back in the 1960s was way superior to the modern day....well why aren't they still watching their black and white Astor televisions and driving a 1964 EH Holden?

"Hey" there was nothing wrong with the 1964 EH Holden. My wife had one in for years and she bought that secondhand in 1974 and it ran like a trooper with all its shakes and rattles. Those were the days.

 

[Bubbag1rl]

No I've never heard of him

Me neither.

 

[Veggiepatch]

No I've never heard of him

But I expect you have heard of Taylor Swallow and Lady Gagger.....

 

[June E]

But I expect you have heard of Taylor Swallow and Lady Gagger.....

Heard of them how could we not when they are shoved at you ! Doesn’t mean we like em, I certainly don’t.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Heard of them how could we not when they are shoved at you ! Doesn’t mean we like em, I certainly don’t.

I'd rather listen to the wind than those two muppets!