Nigerian Celebrities Celebrate Tony Allen
7 May 2020
By Kenneth Kiplagat
The sad news of the demise of Tony Allen, an extraordinary drummer whose works spanned several decades was announced on May 1st. The sad news was released by Allen's manager Eric Trosset that the sudden death of the 79 year old happened on April 30 in Paris and had no links to coronavirus.
Tributes have poured for the drummer who worked with Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s band, Africa 70, in the 60s.
Femi Kuti had this to say:
“He is a fantastic drummer and a family friend. May he rest in peace but I will not allow my late father’s credit as the pioneer of Afrobeat to go somewhere else. Fela is the only creator of Afrobeat.”
Fela’s former band manager, Benson Idonijes met Allen in the early 60s and was responsible for his recruitment in Fela’s band in 1964 remembers him as “a pioneering member of Afrobeat drumming. I admire his consistency and commitment to Afrobeat. He was a very friendly and loyal person to have stayed in the band that long.”
The Naijazz concert which was the last gig Allen performed in Lagos was organized by Sadare held at The Reserve Restaurant and Lounge in Victoria Island, Lagos. He recalled the first time he met Allen.
“I met Tony Allen in 2010 when he came for Felabration. He came with Damon Albarn and they played at the shrine. My interest in him dates back to the early 2000s, we wanted to feature him in a Unity Concert prominently. I met him again in Paris in 2018 and I can tell you that he treated us like his children. He invited us to his home happily, gave me one of his classic vinyl albums, he was down-to-earth, very fatherly.”
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