Harley “Red” Allen
February 12, 1930 – April 3, 1993
Red Allen was a respected bluegrass singer and guitarist. Born in eastern Kentucky, Allen wound up in Dayton, Ohio where during the early ’50s, he formed his first band, the Blue Ridge Mountain Boys. In 1956, he joined the Osbourne Brothers, one of bluegrass music’s most influential groups. Allen can be heard on their “Ruby” and “Ho Honey Ho.” He left the group in 1958. Over the course of his career, Allen played on numerous records, either fronting his own band or as part of other groups. In 2005, he was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame. His sons included fellow bluegrass and country musician, Harley Allen. Red Allen was 63 when he passed away on April 3, 1993.