Dave Allen, bassist of Gang of Four, passes away at 69

Tribute to Dave Allen

Dave Allen, a bassist renowned for his work with a legendary punk band, passed away at the age of 69.

This news was confirmed on Sunday (April 6) by the drummer of the Hugo Bernham group through a message posted on social media, revealing that Allen had been living with early dementia for several years.

“It is with broken, but full hearts that we share the news that Dave Allen, our old music partner, friend, and brilliant musician, died on Saturday morning. He was at home with his family,” Bernham wrote.

“Dave experienced the early onset of mixed dementia for several years, which was a heartbreaking time for his wife Paddy, his children, and close friends. Our love and thoughts are with them. John and I (Hugo) visited him and spent a wonderful day with him and his family. We talked and laughed for hours, reminiscing about rich and bright memories filled with good times and adventures. We were incredibly fortunate to have such an ace of bass in our lives.”

It is with broken, but full hearts that we share the news that Dave Allen, our old music partner, friend and brilliant musician, died on Saturday morning. pic.twitter.com/q5ju3vlzev

– Four gang (@gangof4Official) April 6, 2025

“We know that Dave would have wanted nothing more than to join us on stage in Portland for our farewell tour in the United States. But now that bridge is too far. Goodbye, old friend.”

Legacy of the Gang of Four

The Gang of Four, formed in Leeds in 1976, originally consisted of singer John King and guitarist Andy Gill, along with Allen and Bernham. They quickly became one of the iconic groups of a vibrant, eclectic guitar music scene in the late 70s, incorporating elements of dub, funk, and R&B into punk rock.

Their debut album Entertainment! released in 1979, is considered a seminal album in the history of post-punk and provided a platform for the band’s politically charged lyrics rooted in Marxist and Situationist philosophy. NME rated it as the fifth best album of 1979.

The Gang of Four released their second album, Solid Gold, in 1981, but Allen left the group shortly after to form a new wave band with Barry Andrews from XTC. He later played in Elastic Pure Joy and Low Pop Suicide, eventually establishing his own label, World Domination, and working with artists at Apple Music.

Allen rejoined the Gang of Four for their reunion in 2004, contributing to the 2005 album “Return the Gift” before leaving again in 2008.

The group is set to begin their farewell tour in the United States, which will continue through the end of May. Notably, Andy Gill from the band passed away in 2020 at the age of 64.