Fela’s Drummer, Tony Allen Dies At 79

Nigerian drummer, Tony Allen has died at 79 in Paris. Allen created Afrobeats with his bandmate, Fela Kuti.

Tony Allen
Tony Allen and Fela

He was also the drummer and musical director of Fela Kuti’s band Africa ’70 in the 1960s and 1970s.

His manager Eric Trosset confirmed the news of his death to AFP.

Allen’s death was sudden but not believed to be linked to coronavirus. “We don’t know the exact cause of death. He was in great shape, it was quite sudden. I spoke to him at 1:00 pm, then two hours later he was sick and taken to Pompidou hospital where he died,”  his manager said.

Allen died in Paris, France, on Thursday, aged 79. He was born in Lagos and regarded as one of the founders of Afrobeat.

Fela once stated that, “Without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat.” Allen has also been described by Brian Eno as “perhaps the greatest drummer who ever lived.” 

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