Legendary drummer Tony Allen dies, aged 79

The legendary drummer, best known for his work with Fela Kuti and The Good, the Bad & the Queen, Tony Allen has died, aged 79.

His manager Eric Trosset confirmed the news that Allen had passed away in Paris earlier today (1st May), and is alleged to have been from an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Tony Allen was regularly praised for his work bringing afrobeat to a western audience, and was named by his The Good, the Bad & the Queen bandmate Damon Albarn as the greatest drummer in the world, with the father of modern afrobeat Fela Kuti stating, "Without Tony Allen, there would be no afrobeat".

Listen again to his work on the Fela Kuti track 'Water No Get Enemy' in the player below.

More News

Fat Dog return with new single 'Go Fuck Urself'

South London chaos merchants Fat Dog are back with the brilliantly unhinged new single 'Go Fuck Urself', a euphoric electro-pop explosion that... 4 weeks 14 hours ago

The Last Dinner Party return with new single 'Big Dog'

The Last Dinner Party have officially unveiled long-awaited single 'Big Dog', a track that has already become a cult favourite through the band’s... 4 weeks 1 day ago

EverWill returns with new single 'Sure Thing'

There is something refreshingly sincere about the way EverWill approaches 'Sure Thing'. At a time when so much modern pop-punk leans heavily into... 1 month 2 days ago

Yard Act announce new album 'You're Gonna Need A Little Music'

Leeds outfit Yard Act have announced their third studio album 'You’re Gonna Need A Little Music', arriving on the 17th July via Island Records,... 1 month 2 days ago

Personal Trainer announce new album 'Human Assholes'

Dutch indie collective Personal Trainer have announced their new album 'Human Assholes', arriving on the 4th September via Bella Union, alongside... 1 month 3 days ago

Frank Gappa unveils new single 'Cliff Hanger'

There’s a familiar emotional tension running through 'Cliff Hanger', the latest single from Chicago-based singer-songwriter Frank Gappa. It’s a song... 1 month 4 days ago

Bleachers drop new single 'i'm not joking'

Bleachers step back into the spotlight with 'i’m not joking', the latest cut from their forthcoming fifth album 'everyone for ten minutes', due on... 1 month 6 days ago

Dining with Devils return with new single 'The One Below'

Austin trio Dining with Devils return with 'The One Below', a heavy, groove-driven cut that leans deep into the raw power of grunge and desert rock... 1 month 1 week ago

Messy Eater returns with new single 'Anything for an easy life'

There’s a certain kind of artist who thrives in the chaos of modern living; its contradictions, its absurdities, and its quiet exhaustion, and... 1 month 1 week ago