JOHANNESBURG (AP): Pioneering drummer Tony Allen, the driver of the Afrobeat sound, has died in Paris at age 79.
Allen died Thursday night at the Pompidou Hospital of an aortic aneurysm, his manager Eric Trosset confirmed to the media.
In an influential career that spanned decades and continents, Allen started drumming in Nigeria's Lagos in the 1960s and formed a partnership with Fela Kuti, composer, singer, bandleader and saxophonist.
They are credited with launching the catchy Afrobeat dance music featuring prominent guitars, complex brass harmonies and poly-rhythmic drumming.
With a prolific output throughout the 1970s, Allen and Kuti gained sales and fame throughout Africa, Europe and North America.
Kuti's outspoken criticism of corruption and human rights abuses got him and his band into repeated trouble with Nigerian authorities and in 1978 Allen left to concentrate on his own music.
He collaborated with many of the world's top musicians including Brian Eno, Damon Albarn of Blur and Gorrillaz, Paul Simonon of the Clash and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
This year Allen released Rejoice, a CD of music he created with late South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela.
Madonna says she's going to 'breathe in COVID-19 air' after test shows she has antibodies
'You Are the Champions': Queen, Adam Lambert dedicate rock anthem to COVID-19 cause
Mexico mourns death of popular singer Oscar Chávez as he dies of COVID-19 at age 85
AR Rahman and a host of musicians unite for the song #HumHaarNahiMaanenge
The BeyHive cannot stop buzzing over her remix of Savage with Megan Thee Stallion
Singer Lisa Mishra collaborates with Kunaal Vermaa and drops a new single Nai Chaida
In conversation with Disco Puppet about his new EP, Thoughts To Melt To
Watch: Bengaluru comes together to perform Heal the World by Michael Jackson