Chicago blues guitarist Pete Allen passes away;  

Services to be held September 12

EDITOR’S NOTE: This information comes to us from Delmark Records’ Kevin Johnson.

I really hate to be the bearer of very sad news, but another Chicago bluesman just passed away a few days ago. (This comes on the heels of the deaths of Little Arthur Duncan and Phil Guy).

Chicago blues guitarist/vocalist Pete Allen died from asthma and diabetic related heart attack. This very surprising and sad info is from Zora Young thru Nellie Travis.

Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 12, 10-11 AM at A.A. Rayner, 318 E. 71st, Chicago.  The service will be across the street, 11-12 AM on the 12th.

       Albert "Pete" Allen was a severely underrated blues guitarist/vocalist on Chicago’s South and West Side blues scenes, playing on and off with Zora Young for over 30 years. Pete and Zora played together in a funky outfit called "The Misfits" back in the late ‘70s, often at the Queen Bee Lounge (now Lee's Unleaded Blues!)   Pete played and recorded with many Chicago blues legends, including Magic Slim, Buddy Guy, Carey and Lurrie Bell, Artie White, and Piano C. Red.

        He recently was the musical arranger and lead guitarist on Zora Young's acclaimed Tore Up From the Floor Up CD on Delmark, recorded in September of '04.   The last time I saw him was a couple of years ago at Nick's Beer Garden with Zora, and his playing blew me away. He was a wild, exciting, unpredictable, and powerful guitarist/performer, and a very friendly man. Another one of those very talented players who never got their due, and sadly died way too young.

He played on some incredibly good Chicago blues albums, including:

Magic Slim's best album, Grand Slam, from Rooster Records (the '82 sessions)

Magic Slims' Zoo Bar Collection, Vol. 3 on Wolf

Carey and Lurrie Bell's Dynasty and Carey's Harpmaster, both on JSP

Artie White's American Roots: Blues on Ichiban

Zora Young's Tore Up From The Floor Up, Delmark '05

'Young's gut-ripping vocals supported by superb licks from guitarist Pete Allen, who marks serious territory as a six-string great." --- Edmonton Sun 

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