DAVE Allen, the bassist for British post-punk band Gang of Four, has died at 69 after a battle with dementia.
His former bandmates shared the sad news with fans, telling them Dave passed away at home on Saturday.
Fellow Gang of Four members Jon King and Hugo Burnham wrote on Instagram: "It is with broken yet 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. Dave had endured the early-onset of mixed dementia for some years which has been a heartbreaking time for his wife Paddy, his children, and close friends.
"Our love and thoughts are with them."
Gang of Four formed in Leeds in 1976 – with Dave replacing the original bassist soon after their conception.
They impressed critics with their debut album, Entertainment!, when it hit shelves in 1979.
The LP is considered to be a major influence on bands such as Nirvana and REM.
Their biggest hit in the UK was At Home He's a Tourist, which reached number 58 in the charts.
The band was asked to perform the track on Top of the Pops, but pulled out after refusing to alter the line: "And the rubbers you hide in your top left pocket."
Producers wanted the "rubbers" changed to "rubbish" for fear of causing offence.
Dave then left the band in 1981 to co-found another outfit, Shriekback, but returned between 2004 and 2008.
He also performed at various times with Elastic Purejoy, Low Pop Suicide, King Swamp and Faux Hoax.
Another Gang of Four member, guitarist Andy Gill, died of multiple organ failure and pneumonia in 2020.
The statement from the surviving band members continued: "Jon and I [Hugo] went to see him and spent a lovely afternoon with him and the family.
"We talked and laughed for hours, sharing rich and vivid memories of good times together. Adventures, careers in music, raising families, our interwoven lives spanning half a century.
"We've been so very lucky to have had the Ace of Bass in our lives. We know that Dave would have wanted nothing more than to step onstage with us again in Portland on our farewell US tour. But it's now a bridge too far."
They signed off with: "Goodbye, Old Friend."
Gutted fans shared their condolences beneath the touching post.
One wrote: "Beautiful tribute and sending love and condolences."
Another Said: "Absolute legend. Allen laid down some of the most iconic, memorable, and funky basslines in post-punk history. Very sad loss. May he rest in peace."
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