Original ANVIL guitarist Dave Allison has passed away at the age of 68 after battling cancer. The news was shared by The Vinyl Frontier Canada, and ANVIL released a heartfelt statement expressing their condolences: “We’d like to send our deepest sympathies to the Allison family and friends. Dave passed away this morning. He was a close friend, and we will miss him dearly. He took pride in his early contributions to ANVIL, and his legacy will endure. Rest in peace, Dave ‘Squirrly’ Allison.”
In a post on Facebook, ANVIL reflected on Allison’s decade-long tenure with the band, during which he recorded six albums, including classics like “Metal On Metal” and “Forged In Fire.” His final album with ANVIL was the live recording “Past And Present.”
Frontman Steve “Lips” Kudlow expressed his sorrow, writing: “Rest in peace, Dave Allison. January 5, 1956 to September 30, 2024… we will miss you, brother!” Drummer Robb Reiner shared his own memories, stating, “The word just reached me… my original bandmate R.I.P. Dave Allison has passed away. I had the opportunity this spring to surprise him with a visit at his isolated cabin. Loneliness was no stranger to him; he was in shock, clearly overwhelmed. We reminisced about old times, but it was evident he wasn’t well. We had planned a dinner that, sadly, never happened. R.I.P., my old friend.”
In April 2017, Allison made a memorable return to the stage with ANVIL at Red Dog in Peterborough, Ontario, performing “Metal On Metal,” “Forged In Fire,” and a cover of “Born To Be Wild.” Video footage of his appearance is available online.
Reiner also recalled a special moment in July 2016, when Allison and original bassist Ian Dickson reunited on stage for the first time since 1989 at an ANVIL concert in Oshawa, Ontario. He noted the joy of seeing the original lineup together again, and shared plans for a possible tour featuring the band’s early hits. “It was great to see Dave wanting to reconnect with the band after being away from music since the mid-’80s,” Reiner said. “We had discussed doing a tour for the fans where we could play songs from the first three albums. It’s a great idea, but I wasn’t sure how ready Dave would be as a musician.”
Dave Allison’s contributions to heavy metal and his impact on ANVIL will be remembered fondly by fans and friends alike.
