“Dave Allen, Iconic Bassist of Post-Punk Legends Gang of Four, Dies at 69″*

Dave Allen, original bassist for the influential late-1970s English post-punk act Gang of Four, passed away on April 5 at age 69.

Band co-founder Hugo Burnham shared the news of Allen’s passing through the group’s official channels on April 6, stating: “With shattered yet grateful hearts, we announce the loss of our former musical collaborator, dear friend, and extraordinary artist Dave Allen. He spent his final moments surrounded by loved ones.”

Burnham revealed Allen had battled early-onset mixed dementia for several years, calling it “an emotionally devastating experience for his wife Paddy, children, and inner circle.” The drummer added, “Our deepest sympathies remain with them during this difficult time.”

Emerging from Leeds’ 1970s punk scene, Gang of Four’s original lineup – Allen, Burnham, vocalist Jon King, and guitarist Andy Gill – gained recognition for their jagged instrumentation and politically charged lyrics. Their seminal 1979 debut Entertainment!, featuring iconic tracks like “Damaged Goods” and “At Home He’s a Tourist,” was later ranked among Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2023.

After departing the band in 1982, Allen co-founded Shriekback with ex-XTC member Barry Andrews. He later transitioned to tech roles, serving as Intel’s Director of Consumer Digital Audio Services and working in artist relations at Apple Music according to music publication reports.

The original Gang of Four members reunited for a 2004 tour, though Allen and Burnham eventually left again. Following King’s 2011 exit, Gill continued leading the band until his 2020 death at 64. The group’s innovative sound influenced generations of artists including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kurt Cobain, and Franz Ferdinand.

King and Burnham revived the Gang of Four name in 2021, later announcing a final North American tour last October with bassist Gail Greenwood and guitarist Ted Leo. This spring’s “The Long Goodbye” trek was intended as their farewell, coinciding with Matador Records’ reissue of their 1982 album Songs of the Free.

Burnham reflected on a recent visit with Allen: “We spent an afternoon reminiscing about five decades of shared experiences – musical adventures, parenting journeys, and intertwined lives. Having the bass virtuoso in our world was a tremendous privilege.” He added, “While Dave longed to join our final U.S. shows, circumstances made it impossible. Farewell to a remarkable companion.”