TONY ALLEN
12 AUGUST 1940 - 30 APRIL 2020
PLACE 9F DEATH : Paris, France Trending
Bring me the sticks and let's make a joyful noise with all the skins plated around metals called drums.
There is no way we will call Fela Anikulapo Kuti that we will skip Tony Allen who pioneered the gigantic sounds of Afrobeat
Tony Oladipo Allen was a Nigerian drummer and songwriter who lived and worked in Paris, France till his death . Allen was the drummer and musical director of Fela Kuti's band Africa '70.
He was one of the primary co-founders of the genre of Afrobeat music. Fela once said to him "why are you the only one that drums like this in Nigeria?"
Tony was a self-taught musician born in Lagos,he began playing drum kits at the age of 18, while working as an engineer for a Nigerian radio station.
Allen was hired by "Sir" Victor Olaiya to play claves with his highlife band.
Allen was able to fill the drum set chair when the former Cool Cats drummer left the band.
Allen later played with Agu Norris and the Heatwaves, the Nigerian Messengers, and the Melody Makers.
He planned to release what he called an album tour this year, he said he wanted to work with younger generation of musicians from Nigeria, USA and London because their works carries the message of music and he will like to be part of their messages
Allen died of abdominal aortic aneurysm at Georges Pompidou European Hospital in Paris On April 30, 2020
Wow!!may his soul rest in peace
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