Tony Allen, the Nigerian known for his musical talent and also regarded as the pioneer and co-founder of Afrobeat musical genre passed on at the age of 79 while in Paris on Thursday according to his manager.
The cause of Tony Allen’s death was a result of a heart attack. Eric Trosset told NPR radio. According to AFP, his death was not linked to coronavirus.
Allen was the drummer and musical director of musician Fela Kuti’s famous band Africa ’70 in the 1960-70s. Fela, as he was widely known, died in 1997. He once said that “without Tony Allen, there would be no afrobeat”.
Afrobeat combines elements of West Africa’s fuji music and high-life styles with American funk and jazz.
Trosset led tributes in a Facebook post saying “your eyes saw what most couldn’t see… as you used to say: ‘There is no end'”.
Tony Allen was a good drummer and musical director
Allen, who was born in Lagos in 1940, taught himself how to play drums when he was 18. According to the legend, he learned his technique by listening closely to American jazz drummers Art Blakey and Max Roach.
He then created the distinctive polyphonic rhythms of afrobeat and was said to be able to play four different beats with each of his limbs.
Allen first met Fela in 1964, and they went on to record dozens of albums in Africa ’70, including Gentleman and Zombie.
Tony Allen emigrated to London in 1984 and later moved to Paris. He collaborated with a number of artists during his long music career and was the drummer in The Good, the Bad & the Queen, with Damon Albarn, Paul Simenon and Simon Tong.
Allen’s drumming skills were considered to be unique, with an instantly recognisable sound that left most of his fans amazed. May his soul rest in peace.
Source: BBC
Also read: Swangz Avenue and House of DJs Announce Special Covid-19 Concert
Subscribe to our newsletter now and know about the latest hottest music, lyrics, and lugambo of the week!
Leave a Reply