Dave Allen, the renowned bassist for British post-punks Gang of Four, has passed away at the age of 69 after battling early-onset mixed dementia. He is survived by his bandmates, vocalist Jon King and drummer Hugo Burnham, who expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their close friend and talented musician.

Despite the sadness, Burnham fondly remembered a recent gathering with Allen and his family, where they spent hours reminiscing and sharing cherished memories. They recounted their exciting adventures, successful music careers, and the upbringing of their families over the past half-century. Burnham emphasized how fortunate they were to have had Allen, affectionately known as “the Ace of Bass,” in their lives.

Allen’s musical journey began in Kendal, where he was born on December 23, 1955. He joined Gang of Four shortly after their formation in 1976, replacing bassist Dave Wolfson. In 1979, the band released their acclaimed debut album, Entertainment!. Allen left Gang of Four in 1981, later forming the band Shriekback. Throughout his career, Allen also collaborated with various other bands, including the Elastic Purejoy, Low Pop Suicide, King Swamp, and Faux Hoax. Additionally, he ventured into music technology, working with companies like Beats Music and Apple Music.

Sadly, Allen’s bandmate and fellow musician, guitarist Andy Gill, passed away in 2020 due to multiple organ failure and pneumonia. Gill’s widow, Catherine Mayer, suspected that he may have been an early victim of the Covid-19 pandemic after his tour in China in late 2019.

Plans for Gang of Four’s farewell tour in North America scheduled for later this month will undoubtedly be affected by Allen’s passing. Burnham expressed his regret, stating that Allen would have loved to perform on stage with them one more time, but unfortunately, it could no longer come to fruition.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/apr/07/gang-of-four-bassist-dave-allen-dies-aged-69