Dave Allen, the founding bassist of the influential British post-punk band Gang of Four, has passed away at the age of 69. His death was confirmed by GO4 drummer Hugo Burnham, who shared the news on the band’s official Instagram account. Allen had been battling early-onset dementia in recent years.
Formed in 1976, Gang of Four was pivotal in the post-punk movement, known for their politically charged lyrics and a unique blend of funk rhythms and sharp guitar work. Allen’s bass playing was a core element of their sound, notably on their debut album, Entertainment!, which featured iconic tracks like “Damaged Goods” and “I Found That Essence Rare.” The band’s follow-up album, Solid Gold (1981), continued their critical success, with songs like “What We All Want.”
In 1981, Allen left Gang of Four to form Shriekback, a new wave band that released several successful albums, including Oil and Gold (1985) and Big Night Music (1986). After Shriekback’s disbandment, Allen continued his music career with bands like Elastic Purejoy, Low Pop Suicide, King Swamp, and Faux Hoax, and worked with a reformed Gang of Four in the 2000s.
After his music career, Allen transitioned to the tech industry, working with Intel, Apple, and the Overland Agency.
Burnham shared a heartfelt tribute, noting that Allen’s family was with him when he passed. He added that despite Allen’s struggles with dementia, they shared many cherished memories during their last meeting.
Gang of Four continues to tour with Burnham and vocalist Jon King, following the death of guitarist Andy Gill in 2020.
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