Dave Allison, the original guitarist and founding member of the Canadian heavy metal band Anvil, has died at the age of 68 after a private battle with cancer.
His death was confirmed by his former bandmates, who took to social media to share heartfelt tributes to the musician.
Allison was an integral part of Anvil’s formation in 1973.
Alongside bassist Ian Dickson, vocalist Steve Kudlow, and drummer Robb Reiner, he helped shape the heavy metal sound that would eventually earn Anvil international recognition.
Although Allison departed from the band in 1989, Kudlow and Reiner remain active in the group, which continues to perform and release music to this day.
During his tenure with Anvil, Allison contributed to the band’s rise. He played a crucial role in their breakthrough album Hard ‘n’ Heavy (1981).
(Picture: Andre Csillag/REX/Shutterstock)
Over the next decade, Allison’s guitar work would be featured on five more albums, including fan favorites such as Metal On Metal and Forged In Fire. His final work with the group was the Past And Present live album before his departure.
Despite leaving the band and stepping away from the music industry for many years, Allison reflected fondly on his time with Anvil.
In a 2017 interview, he admitted to feeling a renewed sense of inspiration after attending one of Anvil’s concerts.
‘I pretty much quit playing when I left Anvil,’ Allison explained. ‘I went to see them for the first time last year and I got totally inspired to start playing again.’
He began collaborating with a network of fellow professional musicians, writing and recording new material, largely over the internet.
While his professional path diverged from heavy metal after leaving Anvil, Allison maintained contact with his former bandmates.
In their collective tribute on social media, Anvil wrote: ‘Dave (“Squirrley”) Allison was a member of Anvil for 10 years and recorded six albums with the band, including classics such as Metal On Metal and Forged In Fire. His final album with the band was the Past And Present live album.’
The post continued, expressing the band’s condolences to Allison’s family and friends, and reaffirming his lasting impact: ‘He was proud of his early contributions to Anvil, and his name and legacy lives on. Rest in peace DAVE SQUIRLY ALLISON.’
Anvil’s frontman Steve Kudlow also paid a personal tribute, 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 of Allison, reflecting on an unexpected visit to Allison’s cabin earlier in the year. ‘The visit covered memories (many) and exposed his dire state: He was not well… Together we planned a dinner that unfortunately never happened… R.I.P. my old friend,’ Reiner wrote.
Though Allison bid farewell to the heavy metal scene decades ago, he did make a surprise appearance with Anvil during a hometown concert in Ontario in 2017.
It was a rare but welcomed reunion, marking his brief return to the stage with the band he helped launch into the spotlight.
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