Died On This Date (December 7, 2009) Bruce C. Allen / The Suburbs
themusicsover Bruce C. Allen
1955 – December 7, 2009
Bruce C. Allen was the lead guitarist for influential Minneapolis alternative rock band, the Suburbs. Formed in 1977, the band released their first several albums on respected indie label, Twin Tone beginning in 1978. By the mid ’80s, the band was signed with Mercury Records and building a following across the U.S. while touring with the likes of Iggy Pop and the B-52s. The band still retains a solid core fanbase to this day even though they have been broken up since 1987. Allen was also a talented graphic artist, best remembered for the Twin Tone logo as well as the Replacements’ iconic Let It Be album cover. In ailing health over the past several years, Allen was admitted to a local hospital in recent weeks for uncontrollable bleeding and internal organ failure. Bruce C. Allen, 54, passed away after being taken off life support on December 7, 2009.
What You Should Own
Ricky Wilson was the founding guitarist for popular ’80s pop band, The B-52s. He, along with his sister, Cindy Wilson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, and Kate Pierson were responsible for some of the most fun and popular songs of the era. Their hits included “Rock Lobster,” “Dance This Mess Around,” “Planet Claire,” and “Private Idaho.” Ricky Wilson died from complications related to AIDS at the age of 32.