Influential rock band member dead at 69 ahead of farewell tour

A member of an influential rock band is dead at 69 ahead of the group’s farewell tour.

Dave Allen, the bass guitarist for Gang of Four’s first two albums, died on Saturday at his home while surrounded by his family, former bandmate Hugo Burnham announced. A cause of death was not given, but Burnham said Allen had suffered from early-onset dementia for years.

“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 on Instagram. “[Gang of Four singer] Jon [King] and I 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.”

According to Billboard, Gang of Four formed in the 1970s with a lineup that included Allen, Burnham, King and guitarist Andy Gill, who died in 2020. Allen performed on the English post-punk band’s early works, including 1979’s “Entertainment!” and 1981’s “Solid Gold,” which influenced legendary musicians like R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea and Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain.

Allen went on to form the new wave band Shriekback in 1981 with Barry Andrews (of XTC). The bassist also performed with The Elastic Purejoy and Low Pop Suicide, plus rejoined Gang of Four for a reunion tour in the 2000s.

Ultimate Classic Rock reports Allen also founded a record label, World Dominion Recordings, and worked in music and audio jobs at companies like Intel, Beats Music, Apple and DinWorkshop.

Gang of Four, known for songs like “Damaged Goods,” “Paralysed” and “Natural’s Not In It,” is set to begin a farewell tour later this month celebrating the 45th anniversary of their debut album’s U.S. release. Allen was not expected to perform on the “Long Goodbye” tour, which will feature King and Burnham with guitarist Ted Leo and bassist Gail Greenwood.

No Upstate New York concerts are scheduled, but Gang of Four will perform April 18 in Connecticut, April 20 in Boston, April 23 in Toronto, and April 24 in New York City. Tickets are available via StubHub and Vivid Seats.