Dave Allen, the pioneering bassist best known for his work with the influential post-punk band Gang of Four, has passed away at age 69. The news was announced by fellow bandmate Hugo Burnham via the band’s official Instagram account on April 6, confirming that Allen died peacefully at home with his family on the morning of April 5.
Burnham expressed the heartbreak of losing a dear friend and talented musician, writing, “It is with broken yet full hearts that we share the news… He was at home with his family.” He also revealed that Allen had been battling early-onset mixed dementia for several years, a struggle that had been especially difficult for his wife, Paddy, their children, and those closest to him.
Allen was more than just a bassist — he was a foundational force in shaping Gang of Four’s signature sound: a punchy, political blend of punk, funk, and sharp-edged rhythm. Joining the band in 1976, he played on their first two landmark albums, Entertainment! (1979) and Solid Gold (1981). While these records didn’t dominate the charts, they became deeply influential in shaping alternative rock, cited as inspirations by musicians like Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Michael Stipe (R.E.M.), and Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) — the latter even listing Entertainment! in his top 50 albums.
Burnham shared a touching personal moment, recounting a recent visit with Allen and fellow bandmate Jon King, where the trio reminisced for hours about their decades-long journey through music, fatherhood, and friendship. “We’ve been so very lucky to have had the Ace of Bass in our lives,” Burnham wrote, affectionately referring to Allen.
After departing Gang of Four in 1981, Allen went on to form Shriekback with Barry Andrews (formerly of XTC), and later joined other musical projects like The Elastic Purejoy and Low Pop Suicide. He briefly reunited with Gang of Four in the 2000s for a nostalgic return to the stage.
Beyond performing, Allen embraced the future of music through his work in the digital space. He held significant roles at eMusic, Intel, Beats Music, and Apple Music, and co-founded DinWorkshop, a consultancy for creative and tech-forward music projects.
Although he won’t be part of the band’s farewell U.S. tour stop in Portland — a performance Burnham said Allen had hoped to join — his legacy remains deeply etched in the DNA of modern music.
