Nigerian drummer Tony Allen is famous for helping create Afrobeat as member of Fela Kuti's Africa 70 band.
Master drummer of Afrobeat —
Nigerian drummer Tony Allen is famous for helping create Afrobeat as member of Fela Kuti's Africa 70 band.
Tony Allen
The pioneering drummer has just released an autobiography, co-written by Michael E. Veal, professor of Music and African American Studies at Yale University
Master drummer of Afrobeat —
The pioneering drummer has just released an autobiography, co-written by Michael E. Veal, professor of Music and African American Studies at Yale University
Courtesy of Bernard Benant
Brian Eno has hailed Allen as the "greatest living drummer," while Fela himself said that "there would be Afrobeat without Tony Allen."
Master drummer of Afrobeat —
Brian Eno has hailed Allen as the "greatest living drummer," while Fela himself said that "there would be Afrobeat without Tony Allen."
Courtesy of Bernard Benant
Allen played with Fela for 15 years before leaving the Africa 70 group in 1978. He then started his own bands in Nigeria and in 1985 moved to France where he remains to this day.. Pictured, Allen with the Koola Lobitos dancer Dele in Liberia in 1970.
Master drummer of Afrobeat —
Allen played with Fela for 15 years before leaving the Africa 70 group in 1978. He then started his own bands in Nigeria and in 1985 moved to France where he remains to this day.. Pictured, Allen with the Koola Lobitos dancer Dele in Liberia in 1970.
Tony Allen
Alen relaxing in front of Fela's Kalakuta house in Lagos, in 1975.
Master drummer of Afrobeat —
Alen relaxing in front of Fela's Kalakuta house in Lagos, in 1975.
Tony Allen
Allen (middle left) and other musicians with some of the "area boys" at Kalakuta in 1976,
Master drummer of Afrobeat —
Allen (middle left) and other musicians with some of the "area boys" at Kalakuta in 1976,
Tony Allen
Allen performing on the final day of the Glastonbury Festival in England, on June 27, 2010.
Master drummer of Afrobeat —
Allen performing on the final day of the Glastonbury Festival in England, on June 27, 2010.
LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Image