Richard 'Pistol' Allen

Richard 'Pistol' Allen

Deceased · Born: Aug 12, 1932 · Died: Jun 30, 2002

Personal Details

BornAug 12, 1932 Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Biography

Richard "Pistol" Allen, the renowned drummer, held the esteemed position of king of the shuffle styled drum beat at Motown records during the early 1960s, with only Benny 'Papa Zita' Benjamin ranking above him.

When Benjamin was unavailable, Allen was summoned to assume his role, and his impressive skills allowed him to seamlessly step into the spot.

Allen's drumming talents can be heard on numerous iconic Motown hits, including The Supremes' "Baby Love", The Four Tops' "I Can't Help Myself", Jr. Walker's "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", and Martha & the Vandellas' "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave".

Despite his association with Motown, Allen remained deeply rooted in the Detroit local music scene and continued to perform in nightclubs throughout the city, even after his time with the legendary record label.

Tragically, Allen's health began to decline, and his performances became less frequent.

Allen's story is also expertly woven into the documentary _Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Story of the Funk Brothers (2002)_, which poignantly captures the lives of Motown musicians during the 1960s, highlighting the highs and lows of being a faceless figure in the Motown sound.

This documentary provides a captivating glimpse into Allen's life and career, offering a deeper understanding of his significance within the Motown legacy.

Career

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2002