Tony Allen Biography
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Tony Allen whose full name is Tony Oladipo Allen was a Nigerian drummer, composer, and songwriter, residing in Paris, France.
Allen was best known as the drummer and musical director of Fela Kuti’s band Africa ’70 from 1968 to 1979. He was also one of the primary co-founders of the genre of Afrobeat music.
His career and life are documented in his 2013 autobiography Tony Allen: Master Drummer of Afrobeat. It was co-written with author and musician Michael E. Veal.
Fela Kut one said that “without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat.” Brian Eno described him as “perhaps the greatest drummer who has ever lived.”
Tony Allen Age
Allen was born in 1940, in Lagos, Nigeria. He was between 79 and 80 years old at the time of his death on 30 April 2020.
Tony Allen Parents
There is no information on who his parents were. However, Allen revealed that is father was one of his musical influences. His father used to listen to Jùjú, a popular Yoruba music from the 1940s.
Tony Allen Wife/ Children
Allen managed to keep his married life away from the pubic eye. He was married but his wife is not known. She has stayed away from the limelight. Alle and his wife have three sons together. Their children also seem to love it away from the limelight.
Tony Allen Death
Allen died on April 30, 2020, in Paris, France. His manager broke the sad news saying that his death was sudden and not related to coronavirus as many speculated.
“We don’t know the exact cause of death…He was in great shape, it was quite sudden. I spoke to him at 1 pm then two hours later he was sick and taken to Pompidou hospital, where he died,” his manager said.
Tony Allen Fela Kuti
Below are some of Allen’s early musical works with Fella Kuti.
- Koola Lobitos (64–68) / The ’69 Los Angeles Sessions
- Fela’s London Scene
- Live!
- Open & Close
- Roforofo Fight
- Shakara
- Afrodisiac
- Gentleman
- Confusion
- He Miss Road
- Jealousy
- Alagbon Close
- Everything Scatter
- Excuse O
- Expensive Shit
- Monkey Banana
- Noise For Vendor Mouth
- Ikoyi Blindness
- Kalakuta Show
- Na Poi
- Unnecessary Begging
- Upside Down
- Yellow Fever
- Fear Not For Man
- J.J.D – Live at Kalakuta Republik
- No Agreement
- Opposite People
- Sorrow Tears and Blood
Tony Allen Net Worth
Allen had an estimated net worth of around $10 million.